12th Meeting of the Carpathian Convention Working Group on Biodiversity was held on 19 - 20 May 2021 in an online format.

The WG Biodiversity meeting focused on various topics under the mandate of the Working Group, including on conservation of large carnivores and related ecological connectivity in the Carpathians, cooperation with relevant organization and bodies, such as the Alpine Convention, the Carpathian Network of Protected Areas and the Carpathian Wetland Initiative, etc. Special attention was given to the ongoing Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and the role and contribution of the Carpathian Convention to this process.

After successful adoption of the International Action Plan on Conservation of Large Carnivores and Ensuring Ecological Connectivity by the Carpathian Convention COP6, the meeting was largely focused on topic of large carnivores and connectivity (Day 1). The Secretariat together with the WG Biodiversity Chair – Czech Republic, invited the WG Members and stakeholders to a discussion on implementation of the Action Plan and relevant activities. 

Relevant meeting documents: 

• Terms of Reference for the Carpathian Convention Working Group on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological and Landscape Diversity – FINAL 
• Carpathian Convention Working Group on Biodiversity - Work Plan 2021 – 2023  - REVISED
• International Action Plan on Conservation of Large Carnivores and Ensuring Ecological Connectivity – adopted by the CC COP6
• Joint Strategic Action Plan (SAP) 2021 – 2026 for the Implementation of the Protocol on Sustainable Transport – adopted by the CC CO6
• Conservation strategy for the Bohemian-Bavarian-Austrian Lynx population -  elaborated within 3Lynx project
• Guidelines for identification, conservation, restoration and management of ecological corridors in the Carpathians (produced by the ConnectGREEN project)  
• Carpathian Wetland Initiative (CWI) Annual Report for 2020 and Plan for 2021
• Report on Large Carnivore Monitoring in the Carpathian Mountains 
• Minutes of the 10^th WG Biodiversity meeting and workshop on large carnivores’ monitoring and conservation in the Carpathians held in 2019 in Colțești

Background documents relevant for role and contribution of the Carpathian Convention for the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework

Following the mandate received by the Carpathian Convention COP6 (Decision COP6/6 ) on implementation of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, but also considering the Convention’ work on raising the importance of mountain biodiversity within the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and other global political agendas, the Secretariat together with the Chair of the WG Biodiversity – Czech Republic, would like to invite stakeholders for a discussion on the role and contribution of the Carpathian Convention to the upcoming global biodiversity framework currently being negotiated under the auspices of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

For this reason, the Parties and the Secretariat and would like to use the upcoming 12^th Meeting of the Carpathian Convention Working Group on Biodiversity, as a forum for discussion on the topic, as per the agenda item 13. of the WG Biodiversity meeting.

In this respect, would like to provide you with the background documents and information on the Convention’s involvement in Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework that should allow for fruitful discussion, as follows:

• Carpathian Convention and its role and contribution to the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework - assumptions by the Secretariat 
• Advocating for mountains in the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity - insights from Mountain Biodiversity Day held on 13 January 2021 
• Policy briefs (Elevating Mountains and Elevating Mountains 2.0) presenting latest scientific findings on the importance of mountain areas for the protection of biodiversity on a global scale to decision-makers 
• Indicators for Elevating Mountains in Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework – identified indicators that are considered effective for safeguarding mountain biodiversity and ecosystem integrity proposed within the draft Post-2020 monitoring framework  
• Date Reporting Tool for MEAs (DaRT) – tool that could be considered useful for streamlining reporting of various biodiversity-related conventions, including the regional ones, such as the Carpathian Convnetion and specifically its Protocol on Biodiversity  
• Draft trilateral Memorandum of Cooperation between the Carpathian Convention, Alpine Convention and the CBD prepared in the light of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework – on consultation with the CBD Secretariat 

Furthermore, we would like to propose few guiding questions that should facilitate the discussions during the 12^th Meeting of the WG Biodiversity. Please kindly consider them prior the meeting in order to enrich the discussion with your opinions and ideas:

1. What should be contribution of the Carpathian Convention to the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework in terms of its preparation/implementation? 
2. How the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework could be translated/streamlined into the Convention work? What specific topics/areas should be considered?
3. How the Carpathian Convention can contribute to the monitoring framework of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework?

Should you have any questions or require any further information on the above-mentioned topics, please do not hesitate to contact the Secretariat.

Presentations delivered during the WG Biodiversity meeting