At its eighth session, held in Bonn, 2-12 June 1998, the Subsidiary Body for Implementation requested the secretariat to prepare a draft decision on the modalities for participation of representatives of non-governmental organizations in contact groups (FCCC/SBI/1998/6, para. 83). In response to this request, the secretariat has prepared the following draft decision (see annex) for the consideration of the Parties. The draft decision also addresses the participation of intergovernmental organizations in contact groups as the two matters are closely related. Since this matter affects the Conference of the Parties and all of its subsidiary bodies, any consultations required on the draft decision could be conducted by a Vice-President of the COP. That Vice-President could be invited to report to the plenary on Friday, 6 November for final
decision on this item