ENB:09:24

SBSTTA

The organizational meeting of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA), chaired by Dr. J.H. Seyani (Malawi), addressed two key issues: the election of officers and the date and venue of the first meeting. Regarding the first issue, the Chair reminded delegates that, in accordance with Rule 21 in the Rules of Procedure, the Bureau is to be composed provisionally of a chair, 8 vice-presidents and a rapporteur. Also, in accordance with paragraph 4 of Rule 26, each region shall elect its own candidates. The Chair noted that he had received provisional nominations from Africa (Tunisia and Malawi); Eastern Europe (Hungary and Kazakhstan); GRULAC (Brazil and Cuba). Both Asia and WEOG have yet to submit their proposed candidates. Spain noted that while Western countries have yet to reach a decision on the size of the Bureau, it preferred to consider the question of composition at a later date. The Chair stated that the election of the Bureau would be deferred until further consultations. On the issue of date and venue, the Chair noted the Interim Secretariat’s recommendation to allow sufficient time for the preparation of substantive documents and their distribution. Delegates agreed that the first SBSTTA meeting be held on 4-8 September 1995 at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.