1954 HAGUE CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF CULTURAL PROPERTY IN THE EVENT OF ARMED CONFLICT TWELFTH MEETING OF THE HIGH CONTRACTING PARTIES

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1 12 HCP C54/17/12.HCP/6 Paris, 25 September 2017 Original: English 1954 HAGUE CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF CULTURAL PROPERTY IN THE EVENT OF ARMED CONFLICT TWELFTH MEETING OF THE HIGH CONTRACTING PARTIES UNESCO Headquarters, Paris 27 November 2017 (a.m.) Item 6 of the Provisional Agenda: Amendments to the Rules of Procedure This document contains the proposed amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Meeting of the High Contracting Parties to the 1954 Hague Convention. Draft Decision: Paragraph 7.

2 C54/17/12.HCP/6 page 2 BACKGROUND 1. The Eleventh Meeting of the High Contracting Parties to the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict ( the 1954 Hague Convention ) (Paris, 8 December 2015) adopted the Recommendation inviting the High Contracting Parties to communicate to the Secretariat by 30 June 2016 proposals for the modification of its Rules of Procedure. The Recommendation also asked the Secretariat to prepare a working document to reflect the proposals received, to be presented at the Twelfth Meeting of the High Contracting Parties. 2. To follow up this Recommendation, the Secretariat sent an on 28 January 2016 to the High Contracting Parties of the 1954 Hague Convention, inviting them to submit their proposals. The deadline for submission of these proposals was set as 30 June In response to this invitation, the Secretariat received replies from Armenia, Belgium, Chile, Czech Republic, Madagascar, the Nordic Group (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden), Palestine, Slovakia, and Switzerland. Some of these replies contained suggested amendments to the Rules of Procedure, while others thanked the Secretariat for its invitation but declined to contribute observations. 4. The proposals communicated to the Secretariat by the above High Contracting Parties, including the observations of the Secretariat on certain proposals are detailed in Annex of this document, in order to facilitate the discussions of the meeting of the High Contracting Parties. 5. Other general comments on the Rules of Procedure of the meeting of the High Contracting Parties and possible changes to be made, which are not specific to particular rules in the Rules of Procedure, can be found in the letters of the High Contracting Parties submitted to the Secretariat. 6. As the duration of the Twelfth Meeting of the High Contracting Parties may not allow for the examination of all proposals made by the High Contracting Parties, it is proposed that the meeting request the Secretariat to propose to its Thirteenth Meeting draft amendments to the Rules of Procedure, based on the proposals and observations submitted by the High Contracting Parties, as well as any other observations made during the Twelfth Meeting. 7. The Meeting of the High Contracting Parties may wish to adopt the following Resolution. DRAFT DECISION 12 HCP 6 The Meeting of the High Contracting Parties, 1. Having examined document C54/17/12.HCP/6 and its Annex, 2. Recalling paragraph 9 of the Recommendations adopted at the Eleventh Meeting of the High Contracting Parties (8 December 2015), 3. Requests the Secretariat to propose to its Thirteenth Meeting draft amendments to the Rules of Procedure, based on the proposals and observations submitted by the High Contracting Parties, as well as observations made during the Twelfth Meeting.

3 C54/17/12.HCP/6 Annex - page 3 ANNEX Meeting of the High Contracting Parties to the Hague Convention of 1954 for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict Rules of Procedure Proposed Amendments I. COMPOSITION OF THE MEETING Rule Proposed Amendment 1 Secretariat s Comments Rule 1 N/O 2 3 High Contracting Parties The representatives of States which are Parties to the Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, adopted in The Hague on 14 May 1954, may participate in the work of the Meeting, with the right to vote. Rule 2 States non Parties to the Convention 2.1 The representatives of Member States of UNESCO not parties to the Hague Convention of 1954 for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (hereinafter The Rule 2 States non Parties to the Convention 2.1 The representatives of Member States of UNESCO not parties to the Hague Convention of 1954 for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (hereinafter The Hague Convention ) and permanent observer missions to 1 Deletions are indicated in strikethrough, insertions are indicated in bold and the name of the State Party proposing amendment appears in italics. 2 No observation received from the High Contracting Parties. 3 The Secretariat has no comments.

4 C54/17/12.HCP/6 Annex - page 4 Hague Convention ) and permanent observer missions to UNESCO may participate in the work of the Meeting as observers, without the right to vote, and subject to Rule Representatives of the United Nations and organizations of the United Nations system and other intergovernmental organizations which have concluded mutual representation agreements with UNESCO, as well as observers of intergovernmental and international nongovernmental organizations invited by the Director-General, may participate in the work of the Meeting, without the right to vote, and subject to Rule 8.3. UNESCO may participate in the work of the Meeting as observers, without the right to vote, and subject to Rule Rule 2 States non Parties to the Convention 2.1 The representatives of Member States of UNESCO not parties to the Hague Convention of 1954 for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (hereinafter The Hague Convention ) and permanent observer missions to UNESCO may participate in the work of the Meeting as observers, without the right to vote, and subject to Rule Representatives of the United Nations and organizations of the United Nations system and other intergovernmental organizations which have concluded mutual representation agreements with UNESCO, as well as observers of intergovernmental and international nongovernmental organizations invited by the Director-General, may participate in the work of the Meeting, without the right to vote, and subject to Rule Representatives of the United Nations and organizations of the United Nations system and other intergovernmental organizations which have concluded mutual representation agreements with UNESCO, as well as observers of

5 C54/17/12.HCP/6 Annex - page 5 intergovernmental and international nongovernmental organizations invited by the Director-General, may participate in the work of the Meeting, without the right to vote, and subject to Rule Representatives of the United Nations and organizations of the United Nations system and other intergovernmental organizations which have concluded mutual representation agreements with UNESCO, as well as observers of intergovernmental and international nongovernmental organizations invited by the Director-General, may participate in the work of the Meeting, without the right to vote, and subject to Rule 8.3. II. ORGANIZATION OF THE MEETING [No equivalent rule in the Rules of Procedure] Rule The observer States, the representatives of organizations and individuals referred to in Rule 2 may address the meeting with the prior consent of the Chairperson after the members of the Meeting have completed their interventions. [Czech Republic] Convening The Meeting of the High Contracting Parties shall be convened in ordinary sessions by the Director-General at least once every two years. It is to be noted that the Kingdom of Belgium proposed to study the practice of the 2001 Convention related to the convening of the meeting. The proposal submitted by the Nordic Group reflects the existing situation.

6 C54/17/12.HCP/6 Annex - page 6 Rule 3 The Meeting The Meeting shall meet in ordinary session every two years. It may meet in extraordinary session if it so decides or at the request either of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Cultural Properties in Armed Conflict or of at least one-third of the States Parties. Article 27(1) of the 1954 Hague Convention provides that the Director- General may, with the approval of the Executive Board, convene meetings of representatives of the High Contracting Parties. She/he must convene such a meeting if at least one-fifth of the High Contracting Parties so request. Thus, the proposal to allow at least one-third of the High Contracting Parties to request the holding of an extraordinary meeting of the High Contracting Parties is not in conformity with the above provision. In addition, to entitle the Second Protocol Intergovernmental Committee (the name used in the Palestinian proposal is not correct) to convene an extraordinary session of the meeting of High Contracting Parties is not in conformity with the functions of the Committee as stipulated under Article 27 of the 1999 Second Protocol. Furthermore, the Committee cannot exercise authority over the meeting of the High Contracting Parties to the 1999 Second Protocol.

7 C54/17/12.HCP/6 Annex - page 7 [No equivalent rule in the Rules of Procedure] Rule 4 Provisional agenda 4.1 The Provisional Agenda of an ordinary session of the High Contracting Parties may include: It is to be noted that the Kingdom of Belgium proposed to study the practice of the 2001 Convention related to provisional agenda, including the proposals for decisions (a) any question required by the Convention and the present Rules; (b) any question, the inclusion of which has been decided by the High Contracting Parties at a previous session; (c) any question proposed by the High Contracting Parties to the Convention; (d) any question proposed by the Director- General of UNESCO; 4.2 The provisional agenda for an extraordinary session shall only include those questions for which the session has been convened. Rule # Provisional agenda The provisional agenda of the sessions of the Meeting shall be prepared by the Bureau with the assistance of the UNESCO Secretariat and shall include only those questions for the consideration of which the session has been

8 C54/17/12.HCP/6 Annex - page 8 Rule 3 Election The Meeting shall elect its Chairperson, four Vice-Chairpersons and a Rapporteur. convened. The Meeting shall adopt at the beginning of each session its agenda for that session. The Meeting may amend, delete or add items to the agenda so adopted if so decided by a two-thirds majority of States Members present and voting. [Czech Republic] Rule 3 5 Election The Meeting shall elect its Chairperson, four Vice- Chairpersons and a Rapporteur. Rule 3 4 Election of the Bureau 4.1 The Meeting shall elect its Chairperson, four Vice-Chairpersons and a Rapporteur. on the basis of the electoral groups of UNESCO, as determined by the UNESCO General Conference at its most recent session, it being understood that Group V shall consist of two separate electoral groups for the African and Arab States. 4.2 The Bureau of the Meeting shall consist of the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairpersons and the Rapporteur. It shall co-ordinate the work The 1954 Hague Convention does not contain any provision on the composition of the Bureau nor on its composition. However, the proposal reflects the existing policy of the Secretariat, to encourage the representation of all electoral groups in the Bureau.

9 C54/17/12.HCP/6 Annex - page 9 Rule 4 Subsidiary bodies The Meeting may establish such working groups as are necessary for the conduct of its work. Each of these bodies shall elect its Chairperson and its Rapporteur. of the Meeting and fixes the dates, hours and order of business of meetings. The Vice- Chairpersons and the Rapporteur shall assist the Chairperson in carrying out his duties. 4.3 The Bureau shall remain in office until the beginning of the following session and it shall meet as frequently as deemed necessary. Rule 4 6 Subsidiary bodies The Meeting may establish such working groups as are necessary for the conduct of its work. Each of these bodies shall elect its Chairperson and its Rapporteur. Rule 4 5 Subsidiary bodies The Meeting may establish such working groups as are necessary for the conduct of its work. Each of these bodies shall elect its Chairperson and its Rapporteur. Rule 4 Subsidiary bodies It is to be noted that the Kingdom of Belgium also proposed to indicate the requirement to define the composition and the terms of reference of such subsidiary bodies at the time of their establishment.

10 C54/17/12.HCP/6 Annex - page 10 Rule 5 Bureau The Bureau shall consist of: the Chairperson, the four Vice-Chairpersons and the Rapporteur. Its function is to co-ordinate the work of the Meeting and of its subsidiary bodies and to fix the date, hour and order of business of its sessions. The Meeting may establish such working groups as are necessary for the conduct of its work. Each of these bodies shall elect its Chairperson and its Rapporteur. Rule 4 Subsidiary bodies The Meeting may establish such working groups as are necessary for the conduct of its work. Each of these bodies shall elect its Chairperson and its Rapporteur. The working group institution must take into account the geographical distribution. [Madagascar] Rule 5 7 Bureau The Bureau shall consist of: the Chairperson, the four Vice-Chairpersons and the Rapporteur. Its function is to co-ordinate the work of the Meeting and of its subsidiary bodies and to fix the date, hour and order of business of its sessions. Rule 5 Bureau

11 C54/17/12.HCP/6 Annex - page 11 The Bureau shall consist of the Chairperson, the four Vice-Chairpersons and the Rapporteur. Its function is to co-ordinate the work of the Meeting and of its subsidiary bodies and to fix the date, hour and order of business of its sessions. [Belgium] Rule 5 Bureau The Bureau shall consist of: the Chairperson, the four Vice-Chairpersons and the Rapporteur. Its function is to co-ordinate the work of the Meeting and of its subsidiary bodies and to fix the date, hour and order of business of its sessions. Rule 6 Duties of the Chairperson 6.1 The Chairperson shall open and close each plenary session. He/she shall direct the discussions, ensure observance of these Rules, accord the right to speak to the representatives, put questions to vote and announce decisions. He/she shall rule on points of order and, subject to the present Rules, shall control the proceedings of each session and the Rule 6 8 Duties of the Chairperson The Chairperson shall open and close each plenary session. He/she shall direct the discussions, ensure observance of these Rules, accord the right to speak to the representatives, put questions to vote and announce decisions. He/she shall rule on points of order and, subject to the present Rules, shall control the proceedings of each session and the maintenance of order.

12 C54/17/12.HCP/6 Annex - page 12 maintenance of order. Rule If the Chairperson finds it necessary to be absent during a session or any part thereof, a Vice-Chairperson designated by him/her shall replace him/her. A Vice-Chairperson sitting as Chairperson shall share the same power and responsabilities as the Chairperson. 6.3 The Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons of the working groups have the same duties as far as the bodies which they are chairing are concerned. Duties of the Chairperson 6.1 The Chairperson shall open and close each plenary session. He/she shall direct the discussions, ensure observance of these Rules, accord the right to speak to the representatives, put questions to vote and announce decisions. He/she shall rule on points of order and, subject to the present Rules, shall control the proceedings of each session and the maintenance of order. The function of the Rapporteur is to read the decisions adopted during a meeting. [Madagascar] If the Chairperson finds it necessary to be absent during a session or any part thereof, a Vice-Chairperson designated by him/her shall replace him/her. A Vice-Chairperson sitting as Chairperson shall share the same power and responsabilities as the Chairperson The Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons of the working groups have the same duties as far as the bodies which they are chairing are concerned.

13 C54/17/12.HCP/6 Annex - page 13 III. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS Rule 7 Publicity of the sessions All plenary sessions shall, unless the Meeting decides otherwise, be held in public. Rule 7 9 Publicity of the sessions All plenary sessions shall, unless the Meeting decides otherwise, be held in public. Rule 7 8 Publicity Public nature of the sessions All plenary sessions shall, unless the Meeting decides otherwise, be held in public. [No equivalent rule in the Rules of Procedure] Rule 10 Quorum 10.1 A quorum shall consist of a majority of the High Contracting Parties referred to in Rule 1 and represented at the Meeting The Meeting shall not decide on any matter unless a quorum is present. It is to be noted that the Kingdom of Belgium proposed to study the practices of the 1970 Convention, the 1972 Convention, the 2001 Convention and the 2003 Convention related to the quorum.

14 C54/17/12.HCP/6 Annex - page 14 Rule 7 Quorum 7.1 A quorum shall consist of a majority of the States referred to in Article 1 and represented at the Meeting of States Parties. 7.2 The Meeting of States Parties shall not decide on any matter unless a quorum is present. Rule # Quorum At plenary meetings, a quorum shall consist of majority of the States Members of the Meeting. At meetings of subsidiary bodies, a quorum shall consist of majority of the States Members of the bodies concerned. Neither the Meeting nor its subsidiary bodies shall decide on any matter unless a quorum is present. [Czech Republic] Rule 8 Order and time limit of speakers Rule 8 11 Order and time limit of speakers

15 C54/17/12.HCP/6 Annex - page The Chairperson shall call upon speakers in the order in which they signify their wish to speak The Chairperson shall call upon speakers in the order in which they signify their wish to speak. 8.2 To facilitate the conduct of business, the Chairperson may limit the time to be allowed to each speaker. Rule 8 9 Order and time limit of speakers The Chairperson shall call upon speakers in the order in which they signify their wish to speak To facilitate the conduct of business, the Chairperson may limit the time to be allowed to each speaker To facilitate the conduct of business, the Chairperson may limit the time to be allowed to each speaker. 8.3 The consent of the Chairperson must be obtained whenever an observer wishes to address the Meeting The consent of the Chairperson must be obtained whenever an observer wishes to address the Meeting.

16 C54/17/12.HCP/6 Annex - page The consent of the Chairperson must be obtained whenever an observer wishes to address the Meeting. Rule 9 Points of order During a discussion, any delegation may raise a point of order. Such point of order shall be immediately decided by the Chairperson. An appeal may be made against the ruling of the Chairperson. Such appeal shall be put to the vote immediately. Rule 9 12 Points of order During a discussion, any delegation may raise a point of order. Such point of order shall be immediately decided by the Chairperson. An appeal may be made against the ruling of the Chairperson. Such appeal shall be put to the vote immediately. It is to be noted that the Kingdom of Belgium proposed to study the practice of the 1970 Convention, the 1972 Convention, the 2001 Convention and the 2003 Convention related to the points of order and procedure. Rule 9 10 Points of order 10.1 During a discussion, any delegation may raise a point of order. Such point of order shall be immediately decided by the Chairperson An appeal may be made against the ruling of the Chairperson. Such appeal shall be put to the vote immediately and the Chairperson s ruling shall stand, unless overruled by a majority of

17 C54/17/12.HCP/6 Annex - page 17 Rule 10 Adjournment and closure Any of the delegates may move the adjournment or closure of the debate or the session. Such motions shall be immediately put to the vote. the delegations present and voting. Rule Adjournment and closure Any of the delegates may move the adjournment or closure of the debate or the session. Such motions shall be immediately put to the vote. Rule 10 Adjournment and closure Any of the delegates may move the adjournment or closure of the debate or the session. Such motions shall be immediately put to the vote Rule 12 Procedural motions 12.1 During a discussion, any delegation may move the suspension or adjournment of the meeting or the adjournment or closure of the debate Such a motion, if seconded, shall be put to the vote immediately. Subject to Rule 10.1, such motions shall have precedence in the

18 C54/17/12.HCP/6 Annex - page 18 following order over all other proposals or motions before the meeting: a) suspension of the meeting; b) adjournment of the meeting; c) adjournment of the debate on the question under discussion; d) closure of the debate on the question under discussion. Rule 11 Resolutions and amendments Draft resolutions and amendments, if any, shall be transmitted in writing to the Secretariat which shall circulate copies to the delegations. As a general rule, no resolution or amendment shall be discussed or put to the vote unless it has been circulated sufficiently in advance to all delegations in both working languages. Rule 11 Resolutions and amendments Draft resolutions and amendments, if any, shall be transmitted during debate in writing to the Secretariat which shall circulate copies to the delegations. As a general rule, no resolution or amendment amendments shall be discussed or put to the vote unless all present delegations will be able to become aware with proposals in writing form it has been circulated sufficiently in advance to all delegations in both working languages. [Czech Republic]

19 C54/17/12.HCP/6 Annex - page 19 Rule Resolutions Recommendations and amendments Draft resolutions recommendations and amendments, if any, shall be transmitted in writing to the Secretariat which shall circulate copies to the delegations. As a general rule, no resolution recommendation or amendment shall be discussed or put to the vote unless it has been circulated sufficiently in advance to all delegations in both working languages. Rule 11 Resolutions and amendments Draft resolutions and amendments, if any, shall be transmitted in writing to the Secretariat which shall circulate copies to the delegations. As a general rule, no resolution or amendment shall be discussed or put to the vote unless it has been circulated sufficiently in advance to all delegations in both working languages. Rule 13 Draft resolutions 13.1 Draft resolutions may be proposed by the

20 C54/17/12.HCP/6 Annex - page 20 participants referred to in Rule 1 and shall be transmitted in writing to the Secretariat of the Meeting, which shall circulate copies to all participants No draft resolution shall be discussed or put to the vote unless it has been circulated reasonably in advance to all participants in the working languages of the Meeting. Rule 12 Working languages English and French are the working languages of the Meeting. Speakers are free, however, to speak in any other language, provided that they make their own arrangements for the interpretation of their speeches into one of the working languages. Rule Working languages English and French are the working languages of the Meeting. Speakers are free, however, to speak in any other language, provided that they make their own arrangements for the interpretation of their speeches into one of the working languages. Rule 12 Working languages English and French are the working languages of the Meeting. Speakers are free, however, to speak in any other language, provided that they

21 C54/17/12.HCP/6 Annex - page 21 make their own arrangements for the interpretation of their speeches into one of the working languages. The documents of the Committee shall be issued in French and English. When the conditions permit, they shall also be issued in the working languages of UNESCO. [Czech Republic] Rule Working languages English and French are the working languages of the Meeting. Speakers are free, however, to speak in any other language, provided that they make their own arrangements for the interpretation of their speeches into one of the working languages The working languages of the Meeting shall be Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish Speeches made at the Meeting in one of the working languages shall be interpreted into the other languages Speakers may, however, speak in any other language, provided that they make their own arrangements for interpretation of their

22 C54/17/12.HCP/6 Annex - page 22 speeches into one of the working languages. Rule 13 Voting 13.1 Each High Contracting Party shall have one vote. Voting shall normally be by a show of hands but any delegate may request vote by roll-call. The decisions shall be taken by a simple majority of the delegations present and voting. Rule Voting Each High Contracting Party shall have one vote. Voting shall normally be by a show of hands but any delegate may request vote by rollcall. The decisions shall be taken by a simple majority of the delegations present and voting. Rule Voting 13.1 Each High Contracting Party shall have one vote. Voting shall normally be by a show of hands but any delegate may request vote by roll-call. The decisions shall be taken by a simple majority of the delegations present and voting Each High Contracting Party shall have one vote in the Meeting Unless otherwise provided, decisions

23 C54/17/12.HCP/6 Annex - page 23 shall be taken by a majority of the States present and voting For the purpose of the present Rules, the expression "delegations present and voting" shall mean States casting an affirmative or negative vote. States abstaining from voting shall be regarded as not voting For the purpose of the present Rules, the expression "delegations present and voting" shall mean States casting an affirmative or negative vote. States abstaining from voting shall be regarded as not voting For the purpose of the present Rules of Procedure, the expression "delegations States present and voting" shall mean States casting an affirmative or negative vote. States abstaining from voting shall be regarded as having not voted Voting shall normally be carried out by show of hands. When the result of a vote by show of hands is in doubt, the Chairperson may take a second vote by roll-call. A vote by roll- call shall also be taken if it is requested by no less than two delegations before the voting takes place.

24 C54/17/12.HCP/6 Annex - page 24 [No equivalent rule in current Rules of Procedure] 13.3 When an amendment to a proposal is moved, the amendment shall be voted on first. When two or more amendments to a proposal are made, the Meeting shall first vote on the amendment judged by the Chairperson to be furthest removed on substance from the original proposal, it shall then vote on the amendment next furthest removed therefrom and so on, until all the amendments have been put to the vote. A motion is considered an amendment to a proposal if it merely adds to, deletes from or revises part of that proposal Voting shall normally be carried out by show of hands. When the result of a vote by show of hands is in doubt, the Chairperson may take a second vote by roll-call. A vote by roll-call shall also be taken if it is requested by no less than two delegations before the voting takes place When an amendment to a proposal is moved, the amendment shall be voted on first. When two or more amendments to a proposal are made, the Meeting shall first vote on the amendment judged by the Chairperson to be furthest removed on substance from the original proposal, it shall then vote on the amendment next furthest removed therefrom and so on, until all the amendments have been put to the vote. A motion is considered an amendment to a proposal if it merely adds to, deletes from or revises part of that proposal When an amendment to a proposal is moved, the amendment shall be voted on first. When two or more amendments to a proposal are made moved, the Meeting of States Parties shall first vote on the amendment judged deemed

25 C54/17/12.HCP/6 Annex - page 25 by the Chairperson to be furthest removed on in substance from the original proposal, it shall and then vote on the amendment next furthest removed therefrom, and so on, until all the amendments have been put to the vote. A motion is considered an amendment to a proposal if it merely adds to, deletes from or revises part of that proposal If one or more amendments are adopted, the amended proposal shall then be voted upon as a whole A motion is considered an amendment to a proposal if it adds to, deletes from or revises part of that proposal. IV. SECRETARIAT OF THE MEETING Rule 14 Secretariat The Secretariat of the Meeting and of its bodies shall be provided by the UNESCO staff designated for this purpose by the Director General. Rule Secretariat The Secretariat of the Meeting and of its bodies shall be provided by the UNESCO staff designated for this purpose by the Director General. With regard to the proposals of Palestine, it is necessary to add the phrase General after the phrase Director under Rule 15(3)(c). In addition, it is also recommended to ensure that the Bureau is entitled to insert items in the provisional agenda.

26 C54/17/12.HCP/6 Annex - page 26 Rule Secretariat The Secretariat of the Meeting and of its bodies shall be provided by the UNESCO staff designated for this purpose by the Director General The Director-General of UNESCO or his/her representative shall participate in the work of the Meeting of States Parties, without the right to vote. He/She may, at any time, make either oral or written statements to the Meeting of States Parties on any question under discussion The Director-General of UNESCO shall appoint an official of the Secretariat of UNESCO to act as Secretary to the Meeting of States Parties, as well as other officials who shall together constitute the Secretariat of the Meeting of States Parties The Secretariat shall prepare, in consultation with the Bureau, the provisional agenda of the sessions of the meeting. The provisional agenda of an ordinary session of the meeting shall include: a) all questions, the inclusion of which has been decided by the meeting at previous sessions;

27 C54/17/12.HCP/6 Annex - page 27 b) all questions proposed by States Parties to the Convention; c) all questions proposed by the Director Rule 15 Duties of the Secretariat 15.1 It shall be the duty of the Secretariat to receive, translate and distribute documents, reports and resolutions, to provide for the interpretation of speeches made at the Meeting in one of the working languages and to perform all other work necessary for the smooth functioning of the Meeting. Rule Duties of the Secretariat It shall be the duty of the The Secretariat to shall receive, translate and distribute all official documents, reports and resolutions, at least 30 days before the opening of the session of the Meeting. It shall arrange to provide for the interpretation of speeches made at the Meeting in one of the working languages and to perform all other work necessary for the smooth functioning proper conduct of the Meeting. It is to be noted that the Republic of Armenia and the Kingdom of Belgium also indicated the need to introduce a rule governing the deadline for the dispatch of documents by the Secretariat.

28 C54/17/12.HCP/6 Annex - page The Secretariat may, at any time, upon the Chairperson s approval, make statements, either written or oral, at the Meeting or at its bodies, concerning any matter under consideration by the Meeting. Rule 15 Duties of the Secretariat It shall be the duty of the The Secretariat to shall receive, translate and distribute, in the six working languages and at least thirty days (to be discussed) before the opening of the session of the Meeting, all official documents., reports and resolutions, to provide for the interpretation of speeches made at the Meeting in one of the working languages and to perform all other work necessary for the smooth functioning of the Meeting It shall arrange for the interpretation of the discussions and also perform all other duties necessary for the proper conduct of the work of the Meeting The Secretariat may, at any time, upon the Chairperson s approval, make statements, either written or oral, at the Meeting or at its bodies, concerning any matter under consideration by the Meeting. It is important that the Secretariat is entitled to provide statements, if necessary, concerning procedural or legal aspects of any matter under consideration.

29 C54/17/12.HCP/6 Annex - page 29 V. AMENDMENT TO THE RULES OF PROCEDURE Rule 16 Amendment The present Rules may be amended by a decision of the Meeting taken in plenary session The Secretariat may, at any time, upon the Chairperson s approval, make statements, either written or oral, at the Meeting or at its bodies, concerning any matter under consideration by the Meeting. V. AMENDMENT AND SUSPENSION OF TO THE RULES OF PROCEDURE Rule Amendment The present Rules may be amended by a decision of the Meeting taken in plenary session. It is to be noted that the Kingdom of Belgium also asked the Secretariat to study the possibility of amending the Rules of Procedure by a two-thirds of majority of the States present and voting. Rule 16 Amendment The present Rules may be amended by a decision of the Meeting taken in plenary session by a two-thirds majority of the Sates Parties present and voting.

30 C54/17/12.HCP/6 Annex - page 30 [No equivalent rule in the Rules of Procedure] Rule 17 Suspension The Meeting may suspend the application of any of these Rules of Procedure, except when they reproduce provisions of the Convention, by a decision taken in plenary meeting by a two-thirds majority of the States Parties present and voting.