ENB:04:55
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ARTICLE 24 -- COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY:
There
were initially two versions of Article 24 in the text. The first
created a panel of experts in fields relevant to desertification
and drought selected by the COP. The latter created a council open
to all Parties. Australia, the US, the EU and Canada supported the
first option. Brazil argued that all countries interested in
participating should be allowed to do so. The Chair asked Egypt to
hold consultations. No progress was made in these consultations and
the issue was referred to the extended Bureau. On Wednesday, 15
June, Kjelln circulated a non-paper, which proposed the
establishment of a committee on scientific and technological
matters along the lines of Article 9 in the Climate Change
Convention. The non-paper also proposed the establishment of a
roster of independent experts to be nominated by Governments. Some
members of the G-77 supported this proposal, since it would give
them influence on the choice of scientists. Some OECD countries
continued to express concern that such a roster of "experts" would
tend to contain more policy makers and diplomats than scientists.
After further discussions in the extended Bureau, a drafting group
met and considered the text.
The final text establishes a Committee on Science and Technology
and states that the COP will establish and maintain a roster of
independent experts. The COP may, as necessary, appoint ad
hoc panels to provide information and advice through the
Committee on specific issues regarding science and technology.