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IN THE CORRIDORS

The US convened a meeting of the Vinci group Wednesday to discuss the outcome of the decision taken by the Governing Council on the future of UNEP. Observers described the meeting as the beginning of an exercise in mending relations between Western countries and the G-77 in the wake of the debate over UNEP’s future. They reported that the first meeting of the new ministerial body to oversee UNEP’s work will meet during UNGASS. It is understood that Spain became the first of those countries who suspended their contributions to UNEP to declare its intention to resume payments. The UK is reported to be waiting until the new governance structure has been tried and tested, while the US resumption, when it comes, may have strings attached.