In November 2017 the Regional Cooperation Council in cooperation with GIZ/ORF SEE Biodiversity project and the International Union for Conservation of Nature-Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (IUCN ECARO) established the Biodiversity Task Force (BD TF).

The BD TF is composed of focal points and deputy focal points with specialised expertise in biodiversity and related intervention fields, nominated by the Governments of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, Republic of North Macedonia and Serbia.   

The constitutional meeting of the BD TF organised by IUCN ECARO acting as its Secretariat took place in Belgrade in November 2017. On this occasion participants of the BD TF adopted the Rules of Procedure and elected the Chair and Co-Chair.

Established under the Regional Working Group on Environment (RWG Env), the BD TF is a body of technical experts having the advisory role to the RWG Env on how to mainstream biodiversity concerns into environmental policy. Also, the BD TF plays an important role in defining regional biodiversity objectives for 2030 as well as in the process of development of the Green Agenda for Western Balkans (GAWB) and implementation in the area of biological diversity.

Furthermore, the BD TF’s objective is to stimulate regional cooperation among the WB economies towards improving protection and sustainable use of biodiversity, as well as to enable progress towards international biodiversity commitments. This includes the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity and its Aichi Biodiversity Targets adopted under the Convention on Biological Diversity as well as implementation of EU biodiversity legislation.

The BD TF meets in person at least twice a year, while permanent cooperation towards identifying regional priorities, trends in biodiversity conservation, implementation of joint activities and progress monitoring is ensured through other means of communication and extraordinary meetings when needed.