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ARTICLE 22 -- CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES:

The issues that proved to be the most difficult included the COP's budget and the COP's role in establishing criteria for compensation for the use of traditional and local sources of knowledge. The first issue was resolved by the contact group on finance. Rather than going into the specifics on the source of budget funds, the sub-paragraph reads "approve a programme and budget for its activities, including those of its subsidiary bodies, and undertake necessary arrangements for their financing." The issue of traditional and local sources of knowledge was resolved as part of a package deal with Article 16 and the paragraph now states that the Conference of the Parties may request competent national and international organizations, which have relevant expertise, to provide it with information relevant to Articles 16(g), 17.1(c) and 18.2(b). This, in effect, removes the responsibility for substantive deliberations on this issue from the mandate of the COP.

The rest of the Article sets forth the role of the COP in: reviewing implementation of the Convention; promoting exchange of information; establishing subsidiary bodies; adopting rules of procedure; adopting amendments to the Convention; electing its Bureau; holding extraordinary sessions; and exercising other functions deemed appropriate. The first session of the COP shall be convened by the interim secretariat and shall take place not later than one year after the date of entry into force of the Convention. Unless decided otherwise, the second, third and fourth ordinary sessions shall be held yearly and, thereafter, ordinary sessions shall be held every two years.