The Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, also known as the Bern Convention (or Berne Convention), is a binding international legal instrument in the field of Nature Conservation, it covers the natural heritage in Europe, as well as in some African countries. The Convention was open for signature on 19 September 1979 and came into force on 1 June 1982. It is particularly concerned about protecting natural habitats and endangered species, including migratory species.

The convention has three main aims, which are stated in Article 1:^[1]

• to conserve wild flora and fauna and their natural habitats
• to promote cooperation between states
• to give particular attention to endangered and vulnerable species including endangered and vulnerable migratory species

The convention is divided into:

Preamble

Because this convention has a special nature, which is to include the maximum number of signatures possible, it included the eventual signing by non-members of the Council of Europe: "the member States of the Council of Europe and the other signatories hereto, Considering that the aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve a greater unity between its members,...”^[1]

Chapter I – General provisions

This chapter contains three articles, where it is stated the three aims of the Convention and general obligations of the Contracting Parties.

Chapter II – Protection of habitats

Here are set out the obligations of the Contracting Parties concerning the conservation of the habitats.

Chapter III – Protection of species

This chapter contains the obligations of the Contracting Parties regarding the Appendices I, II, III and IV and the exceptions of these obligations.

Chapter IV – Special provisions for migratory species

This chapter contains the obligations of the Contracting Parties regarding migratory species.

Chapter V – Supplementary provisions

This chapter contains supplementary obligations of the Contracting Parties, concerning co-operation, research, reintroduction and introduction of species.

Chapter VI – Standing Committee

This chapter settles the functioning procedure of the Standing Committee and their tasks.

Chapter VII – Amendments

This chapter contains the procedure of amendments regarding articles and Appendices of the Convention.

Chapter VIII – Settlement of disputes

This chapter contains the procedure of the arbitration of any disputes that could arise between Contracting Parties.

Chapter IX – Final provisions

This chapter contains the final arrangements of the Convention.

Appendices

Four appendices set out particular species for protection. They are regularly updated by the Standing Committee, who are advised by a number of Expert Groups:

• Appendix I – Strictly protected flora species
• Appendix II – Strictly protected fauna species
• Appendix III – Protected fauna species
• Appendix IV – Prohibited means and methods of killing, capture and other exploitation

Member States of the Council of Europe, status as of 15 February 2022.^[2]

States not members of the Council of Europe

International Organisations

Algeria, Cape Verde, the Holy See, San Marino and Russia are among non-signatories that have observer status at meetings of the committee.^{[citation needed]}

The convention led to the creation in 1998 of the Emerald network of Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) throughout the territory of the parties to the convention, which operates alongside the European Union's Natura 2000^[3] programme.

To achieve successfully the aims of this Convention, a number of monitoring devices were implemented.

• Animal rights by country or territory
• Biogeographic regions of Europe
• Environmental agreements
• International Convention on the Protection of Birds
• International Union for Conservation of Nature
• List of international animal welfare conventions
• Migratory Bird Treaty
• Red Data Book of the Russian Federation
• List of Council of Europe treaties