The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the main decision-making body of the Carpathian Convention, where all Parties to the Convention are represented. 

The COP is responsible for the adoption of Protocols and amendments to the Convention and for the establishment of subsidiary bodies to the Convention. It sets the political direction, decides on the Programme of Work, the budget of the Convention, and reviews and supports the implementation of the Convention and its Protocols.

COP meetings are usually held every three years:

• COP1  |  11 – 13 December 2006  |  Kyiv, Ukraine
• COP2  |  17 – 19 June 2008  |  Bucharest, Romania
• COP3  |  25 – 27 May 2011  |  Bratislava, Slovak Republic
• COP4  |  23 – 26 September 2014  |  Mikulov, Czech Republic
• COP5  |  10 – 12 October 2017  |  Lillafured, Hungary
• COP6  |  25 November 2020  |  online, hosted by Poland
• COP7  |  11 – 13 October 2023  |  Belgrade, Serbia

Legal basis:

• Article 14 of the Carpathian Convention
• Rules of Procedure for the Conference of the Parties

The Presidency of the Carpathian Convention guides the overall implementation of the Carpathian Convention Programme of Work. 

It is a 3-year role that rotates among the Parties and is transferred at each Conference of the Parties (COP). To help guide the implementation of the Programme of Work, the Presidency sets and implements priorities to focus upon over the course of the 3 years. 

Serbia took over the Presidency of the Carpathian Convention for the years 2023 – 2026. For its Presidency, Serbia chose to prioritize:

• biodiversity and a regional approach for the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework in the Carpathians
• wetlands management and restoration, focusing on transboundary Ramsar sites and protected areas management and networks 
• strengthening interregional cooperation and cooperation with the EU

• 2023 – 2026  |  Serbia
• 2020 – 2023  |  Poland
• 2017 – 2020  |  Hungary
• 2014 – 2017  |  Czech Republic
• 2011 – 2014  |  Slovak Republic
• 2008 – 2011  |  Romania
• 2006 – 2008  |  Ukraine

The following countries are contracting Parties to the Carpathian Convention: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine.

CZ

HU

PL

RO

RS

SK

UA

The Secretariat serves as the main reference and service point for the Parties to the Carpathian Convention. It supports the work of the different bodies of the Convention by coordinating the Programme of Work of the Convention; assisting in project development and implementation; coordinating the COP; facilitating research, communication, reports and information exchange; and representing the Convention and coordinating its activities with external relations.

Since 2004, the Secretariat has been provided by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) through its Programme Office in Vienna (until 2014 “ad interim”). The UNEP Vienna Programme Office – Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention is UNEP’s liaison office with the Secretariats of the Alpine Convention and the ICPDR, and assists UNEP in collaborating with UN organisations and institutions based in Vienna. The Office also promotes cooperation on the protection and sustainable development among countries in southeastern Europe and the Caucasus. The Secretariat is also assisted by Eurac Research through the Eurac Research Representing Office in Vienna. 

Secretary of the Carpathian Convention:

Mr. Harald Egerer is the Head of the UNEP Vienna Programme Office – Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention and acts as the Secretary of the Carpathian Convention. Mr. Egerer graduated in Law at the University of Vienna, studying international relations and environmental law and sciences. After graduating, Mr. Egerer worked as an environmental reporter for the Austrian Press Agency. In 1996, Mr. Egerer joined UNEP with the Secretariat of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (Basel Convention). Mr. Egerer joined the UNEP Europe Office in 2001, specializing in environmental cooperation in the European region and supporting the seven Carpathian countries in the development of the Framework Convention on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians. Since 2004, Mr. Egerer has been heading the UNEP Vienna Programme Office – SSC and represents UNEP as an environmental focal point for the international Mountain Partnership. 

Legal basis:

• Article 15 of the Carpathian Convention on the establishment and concrete functions of the Secretariat

The Carpathian Convention Implementation Committee (CCIC) is a subsidiary body of the Convention. The CCIC ensures that the objectives and principles of the Convention are translated into practice. 

The CCIC consists of the National Focal Points (the nominated representatives of the Carpathian countries) and is chaired by the Presidency of the Convention. The CCIC meets at least once a year, and a list of the CCIC meetings can be found here.

The Implementation Committee shall carry out the following functions:

• To collect, assess and analyze information submitted by the Parties and observers relevant to the implementation of the Carpathian Convention and its Protocols;
• To monitor the compliance by the contracting Parties with the provisions of the Convention and its Protocols;
• To organize its work as Working Groups to support formulation and/or implementation of Protocols, strategies or other measures and recommendations relevant to the implementation of the Convention as appropriate;
• Ensure an integrated strategic approach through coordination, harmonization and examination of mutual consistency of draft Protocols, strategies or other measures and recommendations, developed under the Convention;
• To consider, develop and recommend new and additional Protocols, strategies, or other measures and recommendations for the achievement of the objectives of the Convention;
• To report on its work and prepare the meetings of the COP

Legal basis:

• Article 14 paragraph 3(e) of the Carpathian Convention
• Article 16 of the Carpathian Convention

Working Groups (WG) are thematic bodies that support the Parties to the Carpathian Convention in implementing key provisions of the Convention based on its thematic topic.

WGs are composed of the National Focal Points for the Carpathian Convention and/or persons nominated by them. In intimate forums, WGs discuss particular issues that need to be analyzed by experts before the main organs will decide on them. WG meetings are open to observers, and depending on the thematic focus of the WG, representatives from partner organisations and NGOs also attend to contribute their expertise. 

Working Groups to the Convention:

• WG on Biodiversity
• WG on Spatial Development
• WG on Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development
• WG on Sustainable Forest Management
• WG on Sustainable Tourism
• WG on Sustainable Industry, Energy, Transport and Infrastructure
• WG on Cultural Heritage
• WG on Climate Change

The Depositary is the location where all signed documents are stored. Ukraine is the Depositary of the Carpathian Convention.

The Carpathian countries shall notify the Depositary on matters referring to the Convention and the Depositary shall inform all other Parties of any notification it receives, such as new signatures or deposits of ratifications. The Depositary shall inform the Carpathian Parties of any signatures, dates of entry into force of the Convention and its Protocols, withdrawals from the Convention or its Protocols, and any declaration regarding the extension of the territory covered by the Convention.

Legal basis:

• Article 1 paragraph 2 of the Carpathian Convention
• Article 23 of the Carpathian Convention