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ARTICLE 24 -- COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY:

There were initially two versions of Article 24 in the text. The first created a panel of experts in fields relevant to desertification and drought selected by the COP. The latter created a council open to all Parties. Australia, the US, the EU and Canada supported the first option. Brazil argued that all countries interested in participating should be allowed to do so. The Chair asked Egypt to hold consultations. No progress was made in these consultations and the issue was referred to the extended Bureau. On Wednesday, 15 June, Kjell‚n circulated a non-paper, which proposed the establishment of a committee on scientific and technological matters along the lines of Article 9 in the Climate Change Convention. The non-paper also proposed the establishment of a roster of independent experts to be nominated by Governments. Some members of the G-77 supported this proposal, since it would give them influence on the choice of scientists. Some OECD countries continued to express concern that such a roster of "experts" would tend to contain more policy makers and diplomats than scientists. After further discussions in the extended Bureau, a drafting group met and considered the text.

The final text establishes a Committee on Science and Technology and states that the COP will establish and maintain a roster of independent experts. The COP may, as necessary, appoint ad hoc panels to provide information and advice through the Committee on specific issues regarding science and technology.