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SUMMARY OF THE FOURTH SUBSTANTIVE SESSION OF THE UN CONFERENCE ON STRADDLING FISH STOCKS AND HIGHLY MIGRATORY FISH STOCKS: 27 MARCH - 12 APRIL 1995

The Conference opened with one and one-half days of general statements and was followed by eight and one-half days of informal Plenary negotiation on the Chair's Draft Agreement, A/CONF.164/22, which had been presented at the conclusion of the Third Substantive Session of the Conference. During the second week, Nandan adjourned the informal Plenary in the early evening to continue with informal consultations, especially on Articles 20, dealing with compliance and enforcement, and Article 14 dealing with high seas enclaves. Plenary reconvened for two hours on Friday morning of the second week, enabling the Chair to speak to the revised text of his Draft Agreement, contained in two conference room papers: A/CONF.164/CRP.6 and A/CONF/164/CRP.6/Add.1. Delegations, especially Chile, were reluctant to enter into any negotiations on the revised text and Nandan was forced to adjourn Plenary until Monday morning of the third week. Despite the Chair's efforts to contain delegates' interventions within a short time frame, a composite review of his revised text was delayed first by the Chilean delegation and later by the EU. Nandan adjourned Plenary on Monday afternoon and cancelled all further informal consultations. Plenary reconvened on Tuesday afternoon to consider the report of the Credentials Committee, and the Chair reported that advance copies of his complete revised text in English would be made available later in the evening. Plenary reconvened on Wednesday morning, when delegates collected the Revised Draft Agreement in all languages and made general statements on the text. Nandan gaveled the work of the fourth substantive session to a close during mid-afternoon.