The Carpathian Convention marks its 20th anniversary with a new Biodiversity Framework and a transboundary protected wetland
The Carpathian Convention marks its 20th anniversary with a new ... UNEP
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Belgrade, 12 October 2023
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Carpathian Convention
Environment Ministers and senior officials from the Carpathian countries adopted the Carpathian Biodiversity Framework, among other decisions, at their seventh Conference of the Parties (COP7), held in Belgrade, Serbia. The new framework is a comprehensive instrument supporting the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework at the Carpathian level.
“The Carpathian Biodiversity Framework is a vital tool for translating global goals into actions by various stakeholders in the region. Serbia is proud to contribute to this transformative endeavor,” said Irena Vujović, Minister of Environmental Protection of Serbia. “Let’s join forces to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and create a sustainable Carpathian region. I am confident that we’ll achieve the Carpathian Vision 2050, securing a thriving Carpathian ecosystem for years to come.”
The Carpathian Convention
The Carpathian Convention – which brings together the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Ukraine – was established in 2003 to protect the second largest mountain range in Europe, home to nearly 4,000 plant species and the largest pristine forests in Europe. It is also inhabited by the richest population of large carnivores on the continent. The Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention is hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
“We should celebrate the gains of the last two decades. But we cannot rest on our laurels. A potentially devastating combination of climate change, nature loss and pollution is putting new pressure on the Carpathian region,” said Elizabeth Mrema, Deputy Executive Director of UNEP. “We are happy to see that the Carpathian Convention is strengthening its collaboration with other biodiversity-related, as well as chemicals-related accords, to implement the Global Biodiversity Framework in an overarching and integrated manner.”
Transboundary Ramsar site
At the COP7, the Environment Ministers of Serbia and Romania sealed the establishment of a transboundary Ramsar site in the Đerdap gorge (Iron Gate) National Park, along the Danube River. The wetland site spans the border between Serbia and Romania.
Forest ecosystems and Virgin Forests of the Carpathians
Forest ecosystems represent a precious resource in the Carpathians, harbouring a wealth of ecological, economic and cultural values. The Assessment of climate change risks and adaptation options for the Carpathian forest ecosystems and their services was presented at the meeting. Another COP7 highlight was the establishment of an Inventory of Virgin Forests of the Carpathians, which the ministers described in their official declaration as “a critical step towards fortifying the protection of some of Europe’s few remaining primary forests,” further encouraging for “extending the Inventory to encompass other Carpathian forests with varying degrees of naturalness.”
Carpathian Vision 2050
The Carpathian ministers called for a renewed commitment to achieve the Carpathian Vision 2050, where, by 2050, “the Carpathians are a thriving and sustainable region, where people live in harmony with nature. The biodiversity and natural beauty of the Carpathians are conserved, restored, and wisely used, providing a healthy environment and essential ecosystems services for all people of the region and beyond.”
Addressing pollution
The representatives from the Carpathian countries also recognized the need to address air, water, and soil pollution, with a specific focus on combating plastic pollution in the region’s watercourses.
NOTES TO EDITORS
About the Carpathians
The Carpathian Mountains provide essential ecosystem services to millions of people who reside in the area and beyond, contributing to the health of diverse landscapes. In addition to being the home to the headwaters of major rivers, the region is a biodiversity hotspot in Europe, harbouring some of Europe’s last remaining virgin forests and the largest populations of large carnivores: lynxes, brown bears and wolves.
About the Carpathian Convention
The Carpathian Convention, a multinational environmental agreement, unites the seven Carpathian countries—Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine—in a unique partnership to protect the natural and cultural heritage of the Carpathian region while promoting sustainable development. The Convention provides an open forum for discussion between various stakeholders, a framework for transnational cooperation across sectors, and a platform for developing and implementing transnational strategies, programmes, and projects for the protection and sustainable development of the Carpathian region.
About the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)
UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
For more information, please contact:
Alejandro Laguna, UNEP Head of Communication for Europe
News and Media Unit, UN Environment Programme
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 15: Life on Land
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 14: Life Below Water
The article discusses the Carpathian Convention’s efforts to protect the Carpathian Mountains, which are home to diverse plant and animal species. This aligns with SDG 15, which aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. The article also mentions the assessment of climate change risks for Carpathian forest ecosystems, connecting it to SDG 13, which focuses on taking urgent action to combat climate change. Additionally, the article briefly mentions the need to address plastic pollution in watercourses, linking to SDG 14, which aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
- Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
- Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities.
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are related to the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems (Target 15.1), strengthening resilience to climate-related hazards (Target 13.1), and reducing marine pollution (Target 14.1).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area.
- Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
- Indicator 14.1.1: Index of coastal eutrophication and floating plastic debris density.
The article does not explicitly mention indicators, but based on the identified targets, indicators that can be used to measure progress are forest area as a proportion of total land area (Indicator 15.1.1), the number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters (Indicator 13.1.1), and an index of coastal eutrophication and floating plastic debris density (Indicator 14.1.1).
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services. | Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population. |
| SDG 14: Life Below Water | Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities. | Indicator 14.1.1: Index of coastal eutrophication and floating plastic debris density. |
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Source: unep.org
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