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AGENDA ITEM 6.6—FINANCIAL RULES GOVERNING  FUNDING FOR THE SECRETARIAT OF THE CONVENTION (UNEP/CBD/ COP/I/10)

The draft financial rules contained in the Secretariat’s document  were used as the basis for deliberations on this matter. Algeria, on behalf of the G-77 and China, said that any assignment of a scale of assessments must consider the economic difficulties of developing countries and the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities.” Germany, on behalf of the EU, supported by Japan, Canada and the US, preferred: assessment Formula I, including a 2.5 percent assessment on the EU for administrative costs; Rule 3(a) for the financing of the Trust Fund; and Rule 15(a) on consensus decisions. Japan said while it is ready to support the budget of the Secretariat, it does not assume any legal obligation to contribute to the Secretariat’s budget, and requested the word “voluntary” in the text, which was also supported by the US. Australia called for mandatory assessments, based on the capacity to pay, to assure predictable funding and endorsed Formula I, UNEP as trustee and Rule 15A. New Zealand suggested seeking consensus under Rule 3 by making a minor amendment to Rule 3A, and supported Formula I and 15A. Brazil recommended mandatory contributions, UNEP as trustee, and Rule 15B with a two-thirds majority. A contact group chaired by Mauritania addressed outstanding issuues in the agenda item. (See page 8.)