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LOCATION OF THE SECRETARIAT

Delegates to COP-2 designated Montreal as the permanent location of the Secretariat. The bidding countries (Kenya, Spain, Switzerland and Canada) gave brief statements on Monday, 6 November 1995, to explain the benefits, such as cost and co-location, that a vote for their country's bid would offer. The order of speakers and voting procedure were based on the agreed scenario for deciding the location of the Permanent Secretariat (UNEP/CBD/COP/2/CRP.1). Voting was conducted in Plenary on Monday, 13 November 1995. According to the agreed scenario, the country receiving the least number of votes withdrew its bid at the end of each of three rounds of voting. After the first ballot, Nairobi withdrew. After the second ballot, Madrid withdrew. Montreal was the choice for location on the third ballot, and the Plenary endorsed the decision by acclamation. A formal decision regarding the location of the Secretariat was adopted during the final Plenary (UNEP/CBD/COP/2/L.5).