ENB:04:72
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WORKING GROUP I
The Group considered a Secretariat's note on the Programme and Budget (A/AC.241/36) and an accompanying draft decision (A/AC.241/WG.I/(VII)L.4). Delegates also adopted two draft decisions: on financial rules (A/AC.241/WG.I(VII)/L.3) inviting a revised draft of the rules from the Interim Secretariat; and on location of a Permanent Secretariat (A/AC.241/WG.I(VII)/L.5) inviting governments to submit written offers to the Interim Secretariat.
PREPARATION FOR THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES
Uganda, on behalf of the G-77 and China, introduced draft decisions on Designation of a permanent secretariat and arrangements for its functioning (A/AC.241/WG.I(VII)/L.1) and Identification of an organization to house the global mechanism (A/AC.241/WG.I(VII)/L.2).
PROGRAMME AND BUDGET
The Secretariat introduced the document (A/AC.241/36) and its annex of sample tables, noting that it was an outline. Budget figures and more specific programme categories could be filled in once decisions are made on a programme of work.
Morocco added periodic review of amendments to a list of items outside the standing agenda. The UK asked why the Secretariat's note suggested hiring consultants to review implementation by the Parties. Pakistan said separate tables should be provided for the general fund, trust fund and special fund because each is earmarked for separate purposes. Senegal said tables should also compare income and expenditures. The Philippines requested an organizational chart of the number of posts in the Secretariat.
Sweden said other actors should be mentioned in Paragraph 11 along with the GEF under standing items. She said Paragraph 13(e) on travel expenses of participants should support LDCs rather than developing countries. Benin, supported by the Congo and Kenya, said the GA resolution refers to developing countries, in particular LDCs, and that a reversal of that decision would cause a lengthy debate. Switzerland said donors had received a list of supported countries, some of which could bear their own travel costs, which was difficult for donors to accept. He proposed "delegates of developing countries, in particular LDCs." Senegal and Antigua and Barbuda said the reference to the GEF was appropriate.
Antigua and Barbuda, supported by Kenya, said he was taken aback by the presentation of blank budget tables and wondered when delegates would get to a real discussion with real tables. Spain, on behalf of the EU, said he prefers a biennial budget financed through annual contributions on the UN scale. Mauritania suggested that the budget include a portion covered in the UN budget and a portion from extrabudgetary resources.
After a response from the Interim Secretariat, the Chair invited consideration of the draft decision on the Programme and Budget, which invites the Interim Secretariat to prepare a revised version of the document. Delegates agreed that written submissions could be included in the revised draft but should be indicated as not having been discussed by the INCD. The draft decision (A/AC.241/WG.1(VII)/L.4) was adopted.