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ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS (AGENDA ITEM 20)

Introducing the item in Plenary, the Executive Secretary presented the Report of the Administration of the Convention (UNEP/CBD/COP/3/32). Describing the past year as “formative and transitional,” he noted that the Secretariat was acquiring the in-house capacity to carry out its functions and that the host country agreement with Canada had recently been signed by the Executive Director of UNEP. Administrative matters were considered by a Working Group on the medium-term programme of work and budget under the chairmanship of John Ashe (Antigua and Barbuda).

The group closely monitored draft agreements emerging from the other consultative and working groups in order to consider their budgetary implications and sought to respond to the COP’s instructions for budgetary requirements. The group drafted two decisions on administrative matters.

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS: According to the decision on Institutional Arrangements (UNEP/CBD/COP/3/L.23), the COP invites the Executive Director of UNEP and the Executive Secretary of the CBD to develop procedures regarding the functioning of the Permanent Secretariat and to clarify and make more effective their respective roles and responsibilities, making an effort to conclude by 27 January 1997. The decision further states that these procedures should provide for the managerial autonomy, efficiency and administrative accountability of the Secretariat, and should, “as far as possible and where appropriate,” follow the Personnel, Financial and Common Services arrangements agreed between the UN and the Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC).

BUDGET OF THE TRUST FUND FOR THE CBD: The proposed budget of the Trust Fund for the Convention was presented to the opening Plenary in document UNEP/CBD/COP/3/33. The Working Group separated the budget into three parts: (A) the biennium Budget of the Trust Fund; (B) a special trust fund for additional voluntary contributions to the core budget for approved activities; and (C) a special trust fund for facilitating participation of Parties from developing countries, in particular LDCs and small island developing States (SIDS). The Executive Director of UNEP is requested to establish the special trust funds, for which the Financial Rules for the Administration of the Trust Fund for the CBD and other arrangements for that Fund shall apply mutatis mutandis. The Executive Secretary may make transfers from one budget line to another in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the UN. Part A incorporates funding from savings from previous years, and includes funding for: servicing of workshops on Article 8(j) and the CHM; a meeting of marine and coastal experts; the review of the financial mechanism; and SBSTTA and biosafety meetings. Part B identifies voluntary contributions already received as well as activities approved but not yet funded. The final decision is contained in UNEP/CBD/COP/L.24 and Corr.1.

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