RESOLUTION 1.2

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PERMANENT SECRETARIAT FOR THE AGREEMENT ON THE CONSERVATION OF CETACEANS OF THE BLACK SEA, MEDITERRANEAN SEA AND CONTIGUOUS ATLANTIC AREA

The Meeting of the Parties to the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic area,

Referring to Article III, paragraph 7(b) of the Agreement providing for the first Meeting of the Parties to establish an Agreement Secretariat, 

Recalling Resolution 5.5 adopted at the fifth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention, held in Geneva, in 1997, which inter alia:

- confirms that the decision on the location of the Secretariat for any particular Agreement, and all relevant other questions, is a matter to be determined solely by decision of the Meeting of the Parties of that Agreement;

- invites the Contracting Parties to the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic Area to consider, in accordance with their procedures, to consolidate Secretariat functions in the Agreements Unit of the Convention Secretariat at their own expenses;

Thanks the Conference of the Parties to the Convention for its offer to consolidate ACCOBAMS Secretariat functions in the Agreements Unit;

Estimates however that it would be judicious, for obvious practical reasons, to locate the Secretariat in a Range State of the Agreement, without prejudice of the close connections to maintain with the Convention Secretariat as anticipated in Agreement article IV.

Considering furthermore with interest the offer of the Government of the Principality of Monaco to host the Secretariat and to provide its Staff and other relevant resources, as specified in a document submitted to this Meeting, on the Principality’ expenses;

Decides

1. to accept the offer of the Government of the Principality of Monaco (hereafter defined as the "Host Country") to host the Permanent Secretariat,  

2. to agree with the terms of reference of this Secretariat as annexed,

3. that this arrangement can be reviewed at each ordinary Meeting of the Parties at the request of the Host Country or any Party, which must reach the Secretariat and the Focal Points of the Agreement Parties not later than 60 days before the beginning of the Meeting of the Parties,

4. to provide the Secretariat for the Agreement with a budget as adopted under resolution MOP1/17. 
  
   
ANNEX 1    

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR ARRANGEMENTS CONCERNING THE SECRETARIAT

The Permanent Secretariat will be governed by the following terms of reference: 

1.       The Permanent Secretariat will be made up of an Executive Secretary and a part-time Secretary provided by the Host Country, which will give them the means to devote the necessary time to carrying out their task successfully.

2.       The Host Country is responsible for staff expenses (Executive Secretary and Secretary).

3.       Secondment of staff members by Governments of the Parties will be encouraged, provided this is subject to mutually acceptable arrangements between the Host Country and the Government concerned.

4.       The Executive Secretary of the Agreement will report to the Executive Secretary of the CMS on his/her relations with UNEP and with other international organizations. She will report to the Parties, especially at the Meeting of the Parties, and to the competent bodies of the Agreement, on his/her work program.

5.       The Executive Secretary will report to the competent bodies of the CMS on the implementation of the Agreement and other matters of common interest. S/he will also ensure followed-up contact with the CMS Secretariat and the CMS Agreements Secretariats Unit, with which s/he will have regular meetings.
Financial Arrangements

6.       The Agreement’s Permanent Secretariat will have recourse to suitable local banking services to conduct day-to-day transactions.

7.       The Host Country will facilitate the financial execution of the Agreement’s budget, in particular authorizing tax-free expenses.

8.       The Host Country will provide facilities and office equipment for the day-to-day functioning of the Secretariat.

9.       Operating costs of the Permanent Secretariat: the Host Country will be responsible for use of telephone, photocopying and miscellaneous office supplies.