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B. CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES:

The African delegations suggested that the actual functions of the Conference of the Parties should not be finalized until agreement has been reached on the substantive obligations of the Convention. The Environment Liaison Centre International spoke on behalf of NGOs and stated that NGOs favor the establishment of a Conference of the Parties (COP) as the supreme decision-making body for the Convention. NGOs expressed their wish to be able to attend these meetings as observers. The representative also stated that one of the most important functions of the COP is to review progress made in combatting desertification.