Partnerships and Observers

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Partnerships are important for merging forces to create synergies that facilitate the implementation of the Carpathian Convention’s aims. The Convention establishes partnerships with other Conventions, organizations and initiatives whenever synergies are possible and reasonable.

Some of these partnerships are based on an official agreement, such as a Memorandum of Understanding or a Memorandum of Cooperation, while others are established on a more informal level. 

Official Partnerships

The Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention has signed six Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) and six Memoranda of Cooperation (MoC) with various organizations. The conclusion of MoUs is a well-established and highly valued practice in the field of international cooperation for consolidating and enhancing existing partnerships. 

Article 15 of the Carpathian Convention provides the legal basis for the establishment of strategic partnerships.

Alpine Convention

MoU with the Alpine Convention

MoC between the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Alpine Convention and the Carpathian Convention

Convention on Biological Diversity

MoU with the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Alpine Convention

MoC between the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Alpine Convention and the Carpathian Convention

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance

MoU with the Ramsar Convention

Initiative of mutual observership status between ISCC and the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR)

Request for observership

Joint Declaration between ICPDR Tisza Group and the Carpathian Convention

Joint Declaration between ICPDR Tisza Group and the Carpathian Convention

Joint Declaration between UNIDO and the Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention

Joint Declaration between UNIDO and the Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention

Euromontana, the European Association of Mountain Areas

MoC with Euromontana

Eurac Research

MoC with the Eurac Research

European Environment Agency

Partnership Agreement with the European Environment Agency

Science for the Carpathians Initative (S4C)

MoU with the Science for the Carpathians Initative

The EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR)

Central European Initiative

MoU with the Executive Secretariat of the Central European Initiative

International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation

MoC with the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation

Carpathian Ecoregion Initiative

MoU with the Carpathian Ecoregion Initiative (CERI)
MoU with the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention)

Global International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026 Coalition

MoC with the Global International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026 Coalition

Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland

MoC with Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland

Observers

Observers play a crucial role in implementing the Carpathian Convention, as they present relevant information and reports for the objectives of the Convention and contribute to activities related to the Convention’s work.

Following the Convention’s Article 16 paragraph 5 and the Carpathian Convention COP Rules of Procedures, the observers may participate in the deliberations of the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies on questions within their competence or scope of activities.