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LOCATION OF THE PERMANENT SECRETARIAT

At the beginning of the afternoon Plenary, Amb. Estrada, Chair of the COW, noted that the final round of the survey on the location of the Secretariat would take place at 3:00 pm. Canada then took the floor to withdraw Toronto"s candidacy to host the Permanent Secretariat. After the final speaker of the day, Estrada announced that Parties participating in the informal survey had selected Bonn as the location of the Permanent Secretariat. Switzerland expressed its regret and congratulated Germany. Germany stated it was aware of the responsibility accompanying the choice, and thanked Estrada and the delegates. The Executive-Secretary of the Interim Secretariat, Michael Zammit Cutajar, thanked Geneva for the hospitality extended since 1991.