History – Carpathianconvention

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About the Convention

The Framework Convention on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians (Carpathian Convention) unites 7 Carpathian countries of Central and Eastern Europe in a unique partnership, providing a transnational framework for cooperation and multisectoral policy integration. It is an open forum for stakeholder and public participation and a platform for developing and implementing transnational strategies, programmes and projects for protecting and sustainably developing the region.

The Convention was signed in 2003 and ratified in 2006 by all 7 Parties. It is the only multi-level governance mechanism and international legal framework that covers the entire Carpathian region. In addition, it is the second sub-regional treaty-based regime for the protection and sustainable development of a mountain region worldwide, following the Alpine Convention.

History of the Convention

2001

International convention process initiated

The Government of Ukraine requested that the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) facilitate an intergovernmental consultation process among the Carpathian countries: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, then-Serbia and Montenegro, Slovak Republic and Ukraine.

The intent was to draft an international convention on the Carpathian Mountains to be adopted at the Fifth Ministerial Conference “Environment for Europe” in 2003.

November 2001

First informal meeting held

An initial, informal meeting was hosted on 06-07 November 2001 by the Ukrainian government in Kyiv, where participants agreed to a list of areas where the Carpathians would benefit from cooperation.

2001-2002

Formal negotiations commenced

UNEP facilitated formal negotiations between the Carpathian countries during five preparatory meetings, supported by Austria, Italy, Lichtenstein and Switzerland. Several international organizations, academic institutions and NGOs provided support to the negotiation process, including the Eurac Research in Bolzano, Italy, the host of the scientific and operational seat of the Alpine Convention Secretariat.

2002

Alpine-Carpathian Partnership formed

The first significant step was the formation of the Alpine-Carpathian Partnership, launched during the International Year of the Mountain (2002). This campaign was supported by the Presidency of the Alpine Convention, which Italy hosted in that period.

May 2003

Carpathian Convention established

The Framework Convention on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians was adopted in Kyiv in May 2003 during the “Environment for Europe” Ministerial Conference. This is now referred to as the Carpathian Convention.

UNEP was requested to continue servicing the Convention process, including providing support to the Interim Secretariat. Austria offered to host and support the interim arrangement in Vienna.

May 2004