Objective: To pursue a comprehensive policy and cooperate for the protection of sustainable development of the Carpathians with a view to improving the quality of life, strengthening local economies and communities and conserving natural values and cultural heritage.
Summary of provisions: Article 2 affirms the principles which are to guide the measures taken by the Parties, including precaution, prevention, polluter pays, public participation and stakeholder involvement, transboundary cooperation, integrated planning and management of land and water resources, as well as the ecosystem and programmatic approaches. Parties are to pursue policies aiming at conservation, sustainable use and restoration of biological and landscape diversity throughout the Carpathians (art. 4.1). Parties undertake to pursue policies aimed at the prevention of introduction of alien invasive species and release of genetically modified organisms threatening ecosystems, habitats or species, and at their control or eradication (art.4.3). Parties agree to cooperate in developing an ecological network, in establishing and supporting a Carpathian Network of Protected Areas, as well as enhance conservation and sustainable management outside of protected areas (art. 4.5). Parties further undertake to pursue policies for sustainable and integrated water/river basin management (art.6), sustainable agriculture and forestry (art.7), sustainable transport and infrastructure (art. 8), sustainable tourism (art.9), industry and energy (art. 10), cultural heritage and knowledge (art.11) and awareness raising, education and public participation (art. 13). Moreover, the Parties agree to apply where necessary risk assessments, environmental impact assessments and strategic environmental assessments and consult on projects of transboundary character to avoid transboundary harmful effects (art. 12.1)
Institutional mechanisms: A Conference of the Parties is established (art.14) as well as a Secretariat (art.15). Subsidiary bodies are to provide the Conference with technical assistance, information and advice on specific issues (art.16).
(Source: IUCN ELC, 08.2005)