BNJ.99-621

1 November 1999

ENGLISH ONLY

SUBSIDIARY BODY FOR IMPLEMENTATION

Eleventh session

Bonn, 25 October - 5 November 1999

Agenda item 12 (b) and (c)

At its eleventh session the Subsidiary Body for Implementation decided to recommend the following draft decision for adoption by the Conference of the Parties at its fifth session:

The Conference of the Parties,

Having considered the report of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation on its work on administrative and financial matters at its tenth and eleventh sessions, and

Having taken note of the reports by the Executive Secretary on the related subjects (FCCC/SBI/1999/10 and Add.1, FCCC/SBI/1999/INF.9, FCCC/SBI/1999/INF.11, FCCC/SBI/1999/3, FCCC/SBI/1999/INF.5);

1. Expresses its appreciation to the Parties that made their indicative contributions to the core budget in a timely manner, as well as those that made additional voluntary contributions to the Trust Fund for Participation in the UNFCCC Process and the Trust Fund for Supplementary Activities of the UNFCCC;

2. Also expresses its appreciation to the Government of Germany for its special contribution to cover costs of events held in Bonn or in developing countries (the Bonn Fund);

3. Expresses concern at the continuing trend towards late payment of contributions, some still outstanding from 1996 and 1997, and encourages all Parties that have not yet paid their contributions to do so without further delay;

4. Requests the Executive Secretary to present, through the Subsidiary Body for Implementation at its twelfth session, possible options to respond to the situation of late payment of contributions for consideration at its sixth session;

5. Authorizes the Executive Secretary to enter into commitments up to the level of the approved budget, drawing on available resources, including unspent balances or contributions from the previous financial period, pending an overall review at its sixth session of the issue of the carry-over balance from the 1996-1997 biennium, to be undertaken on the basis of a recommendation from the Subsidiary Body for Implementation;

6. Takes note of the developments reported by the Executive Secretary in his discussions with the United Nations regarding administrative arrangements for the Convention;

7. Requests the Executive Secretary to continue with these discussions in order to achieve a more rational and efficient approach to the administrative arrangements between the Convention secretariat and the United Nations, and to report to the Subsidiary Body for Implementation at its twelfth session on progress made in implementing the new administrative arrangements;

8. Takes note of the continuing action taken by the Executive Secretary to implement the recommendations made by both the internal and external auditors of the United Nations and invites the Executive Secretary to complete their implementation.