Enhanced Implementation of the Biological Diversity Convention

It is expected that this working group will present a report to the Permanent Committee, at least six months before the next Alpine Conference. The proposed system for monitoring and information concerning the Alps was under discussion. The Permanent Committee received the mandate to re-examine the regime at the end of the transitional period on the basis of information obtained and to make proposals for the regulation of its functioning. The question of a permanent secretariat was again raised. Opinions were still divided. Up until now, the State Party in the Chair provides the secretariat, but several States and observing NGOs felt that a permanent secretariat would be much more successful. The Conference has given the Permanent Committee the mandate to prepare a report for the next conference on the establishment of a permanent secretariat. This report should contain the following elements: 1) Definition of the objectives and tasks of the secretariat 2) Definition of a possible reporting system 3) Estimate of costs and rules for financing. And finally, 4) The procedure concerning the decision on the candidature for the seat of the secretariat. The Conference also decided on a Logo for the Alpine Convention (as shown). Delegates expressed special thanks to Slovenia, who since December 1994 has had the Chair for the Conference of the Ministers and the Permanent Committee. Following a short discussion, the Chair was transferred to Switzerland. After the adoption of the Conference report, a very long signing procedure for the Protocols was held. Most of the representatives with plenipotentiary power from the States and the European Union signed the new Protocols and Switzerland and Liechtenstein also signed those they had not signed before. During the celebratory glass of champagne, a general feeling of satisfaction was voiced that several problems had been solved and that the importance of the Alpine Convention had increased. Many more results in favour of the Convention can be expected. (WEB) r