The Agreement on the Conservation of the Populations of European Bats (EUROBATS) was set up in 1991 under the auspices of CMS after recognising the unfavourable conservation status of bats in Europe, Northern Africa and the Middle East. It deals with 52 species of bats known to live in the Agreement Area. Until now, a total of 35 out of 63 range states have acceded to the Agreement. Its main aim is to provide a framework for member countries, and those that have not joined yet, to cooperate for the conservation of bats throughout Europe and beyond.

The EUROBATS Secretariat started its work in Bonn in 1996. It coordinates and organises the activities of the Standing and Advisory Committees and arranges the Meetings of the Parties. It also undertakes initiatives for implementing the Agreement, attracting more member states, raising public awareness, exchanging information, coordinating international research and monitoring initiatives.

In 2001, the EUROBATS Agreement became part of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It serves as a successful model to promote similar agreement structures for bat conservation on other continents.