The objective of the Protocol on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological and Landscape Diversity (hereinafter: the Protocol) is to enhance the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of biological and landscape diversity of the Carpathians, bringing benefits to present and future generations. To achieve the above objectives, the Parties shall harmonise and coordinate their efforts and cooperate on conservation, maintenance and sustainable use of natural and semi-natural habitats, and securing their continuity and connectivity; restoration of degraded habitats; conservation and sustainable use of species of flora and fauna characteristic to the Carpathians, in particular on conservation of endangered or endemic species and large carnivores. This Protocol applies to the Carpathian region (hereinafter: the Carpathians), as defined by the Conference of the Parties. Each Party may extend the application of this Protocol to additional parts of its national territory by making a declaration to the Depositary. The Conference of the Parties shall adopt a list of endangered natural and semi-natural habitat types native to the Carpathians (Carpathian Red List of Habitats) and a list of endangered flora and fauna species native to the Carpathians (Carpathian Red List of Species) based on internationally recognized principles and criteria. Each Party shall pursue policies aiming at the prevention of introduction or release of invasive alien species and/or genetically modified organisms which are likely to have adverse environmental impacts that could affect the biological diversity, ecosystems, habitats or species of the Carpathians, including early warning on occurrence of new invasive alien species on its territory. The Parties shall support and facilitate cooperation under the Carpathian Network of Protected Areas established by the Conference of the Parties and encourage the protected area administrations to take part in the cooperation within this Network. Each Party shall harmonise and coordinate measures, undertaken in its border area in the Carpathians aimed at achieving objectives listed under Article 1 paragraphs 2 and 3, with the neighbouring Party, in particular in transboundary protected areas. The Parties shall cooperate within existing transboundary protected areas in the Carpathians and harmonise the management objectives and measures applied and, if need be, encourage the expansion of existing transboundary protected areas or creation of new transboundary protected areas in the Carpathians. Each Party shall develop and implement management plans with the objective to ensure the long-term conservation, maintenance or restoration, continuity and connectivity, and sustainable use of natural and semi-natural habitats, restoration of degraded habitats as well as long-term conservation and sustainable use of species of flora and fauna native to the Carpathians. The Parties shall cooperate on harmonisation of their environmental monitoring systems in the Carpathians, which are conducive to achieving the objectives of this Protocol and cooperate to develop a joint information system on biological and landscape diversity in the Carpathians. Each Party shall facilitate coordination of scientific research undertaken in its territory or by scientific institutions of this Party with regard to conservation, restoration and sustainable use of biological and landscape diversity of the Carpathians. The Parties shall cooperate on promotion and harmonisation of research programs and projects which are conducive to achieving the objectives of this Protocol. For ensuring the implementation of the provisions of this Protocol, each Party shall undertake appropriate legal and administrative measures and monitor the effectiveness of these measures, explore the possibilities of supporting, through financial measures, and the Conference of the Parties shall develop and adopt the Strategic Action Plan. The Parties shall apply the precaution and prevention principles by assessing and taking into consideration possible direct or indirect, short- or long-term influence, including cumulative effect of the projects and activities, which are likely to have adverse impacts on the biological and landscape diversity of the Carpathians. In this regard, Parties shall proceed with appropriate assessment of potential adverse impact of projects, plans and activities on habitats and species, including transboundary impact. The Conference of the Parties of the Carpathian Convention shall serve as the meeting of the Parties to this Protocol. The Parties to the Carpathian Convention that are not Parties to this Protocol may participate as observers in the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to this Protocol. The Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to this Protocol shall make, within its mandate, the decisions necessary to promote its effective implementation. It shall perform the functions assigned to it by this Protocol and shall: (a) Make recommendations on any matters necessary for the implementation of this Protocol; (b) Establish such subsidiary bodies as are deemed necessary for the implementation of this Protocol; (c) Consider and adopt, as required, amendments to this Protocol that are deemed necessary for the implementation of this Protocol; and (d) Exercise such other functions as may be required for the implementation of this Protocol. The Parties shall regularly report to the Conference of the Parties on measures related to this Protocol and the results of the measures taken. The Conference of the Parties shall determine the intervals and format at which the reports must be submitted.