From December 2–6, 2024, FACE participated in the 44th Bern Convention Standing Committee meeting in Strasbourg, which addressed environmental concerns and strategic developments in nature conservation across its 49 contracting states. Key agenda items included the convention’s financing, species and habitat monitoring, and the 2025 work programme.

Wolf Protection Status: The Committee adopted an EU proposal to downgrade the wolf’s protection from Appendix II (strictly protected) to Appendix III (protected), effective March 2025, for non-objecting parties. FACE will join a working group to refine evidence-based criteria for future amendments. Issues with wolf culling in Norway and Switzerland were debated, with calls for non-lethal measures and sustainable population targets.

Invasive species – Ruddy Duck: Progress in eradicating the invasive Ruddy duck which is threatening the endangered White-headed Duck in Europe was reviewed. However, achieving functional extinction by 2025 seems unlikely. FACE will monitor the revision of the action plan for 2026–2030.

Large Carnivore Conservation: Updates on lynx conservation strategies in the Alpine and Carpathian regions were presented, including future expert group discussions and the Balkan Lynx’s listing under CMS Appendices.

Open Files and Complaints: Fifteen cases, including sea turtle nesting protection and infrastructure impacts on Emerald sites, were reviewed. The committee sought progress reports for unresolved issues.