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DESIGNATION OF A PERMANENT SECRETARIAT AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR ITS FUNCTIONING — PHYSICAL LOCATION

Consideration of the physical location for the Permanent Secretariat primarily took place in the corridors. Multimedia displays for the bidding countries, Canada, Germany and Spain, advertised the benefits of each country’s bid. In addition, each country hosted a reception for Heads of Delegation, where mayors and other dignitaries gave slide show presentations and otherwise promoted their offers.

One Plenary was dedicated to the issue. Chair Kjellén said that, as agreed at INCD-9, discussions had continued informally. During the first week of INCD-10, an informal group comprised of the three Governments involved, members from the main Bureau and the Chairs of the two Working Groups met and expressed satisfaction with the relevant document (A/AC.241/63) and the way the exhibits from the three countries had been handled. The contact group requested further clarification on footnote 7 (UN Consolidated Post Adjustment Calculation) relating to the Canadian offer, to enable precise comparison with Murcia. This will be issued as a corrigendum at COP-1. The informal group agreed on the selection procedure used at COP-1 for the Biodiversity and Climate Change Conventions and agreed to consult further on the modalities for follow- up and the details of the procedures to be followed at COP-1. During the closing Plenary, Chair Kjellén noted that the contact group would continue to discuss the matter at the resumed session of INCD-10.