Contents -
V. Constitutional and legal questions
A.
Organizational structure of FAO
B.
Method of election of council members
C.
Co-operation with international organizations
D. Granting of
observer status
E. Report on status of conventions and agreements and amendments
thereto in accordance with rule XXI paragraph 6 of the rules of procedure
F. Principles and procedures which should govern conventions and
agreements concluded under articles XIV and XV of the constitution and commissions and
committees established under article VI of the constitution
G. FAO policy regarding assistance in establishing regional research
and training institutes
H. Agreements between the government of Syria and the organization for
the establishment of a near east research center and a forest ranger's school
I. Agreement between the government of Venezuela and the organization
for the establishment of a Latin-American forest research and training institute
J.
Increase in the membership of the council
A. Organizational structure of FAO
434. At its Eighth Session the Conference by Resolution No. 39/55, established an ad hoc Committee to study the structure, functions and procedures of the Council and certain committees with a view to making recommendations to improve their efficiency, eliminate unnecessary documentation and avoid successive reviews of the same subject matter. The Committee was composed of representatives of Colombia, Egypt, France, India, New Zealand and the United States of America, and Sir Donald Vandepeer United Kingdom was appointed Independent Chairman of the Committee.
435. The ad hoc Committee's Report was circulated to Member Governments as document C 57/4. It was considered by the Council at its Twenty-Sixth Session (June 1957) and, insofar as it concerned it, by the Committee on Commodity Problems at its Twenty-Ninth Session (October 1957), and the comments of these bodies on the ad hoc Committee's Report were also before the Conference.
Alternative Plans
436. The ad hoc Committee had undertaken a very thorough study of the structure and functions of the Council and relevant committees, and in its conclusions suggested two alternative plans. The first (Plan A) involved the maintenance of the statu quo, including the present system of biennal Conference Sessions, but introducing certain modifications in the present system of operation.
437. The second alternative proposed by the ad hoc Committee (Plan 13) involved the abolition of the Council and the holding of annual Conference Sessions. The biennal adoption of the Organization's Program of Work and Budget and the full-scale review of the food and agriculture situation would be maintained, and would be undertaken at a "Major'' Session of the Conference held each alternate year, while in the other years a Technical and Administrative Session of the Conference would consider technical, constitutional and administrative matters requiring review and decision. Both Sessions would be of full and equal authority, but as a matter of practical convenience the business to be dealt with over the biennal period would be divided between them, except in cases of urgency.
438. After giving consideration to the two plans proposed by the ad hoc Committee, the Conference decided upon the adoption of the former plan, i.e. Plan A (biennal Conference Sessions and maintenance of the Council), but in subsequent discussion made certain modifications to the proposals of the ad hoc Committee, which are reflected in the following paragraphs of this Report.
Authority of the Conference
439. The Conference drew attention to the fact that, notwithstanding any delegation of powers by the Conference to the Council or any other bodies of the Organization, the Conference may review any decision taken by such bodies.
Functions of Council
440. The Conference was in agreement that, while the Conference is the supreme body of the Organization, the Council must have delegated to it - and exercise - specific powers to take effective and appropriate action on all matters within its terms of reference.
441. The Council must act as the executive organ of the Conference between Conference Sessions and focus matters requiring Conference decision. The Conference accordingly agreed with the proposed functions of the Council set out in the ad hoc Committee's Report (paragraphs 72-82), except for the following amendments:
(a) the Council would approve between-chapter transfers other than those for which the Finance Committee (previously Committee on Financial Control) had authority (C 57/4, paragraph 78 [b]);
(b) the Council would consider and approve recommendations of the Finance Committee regarding the scale of salaries and conditions of employment C 57/4, paragraph 78 [c]);
(c) the Council would review action by the Director-General in regard to new posts established in the professional category of staff for which prior authority did not exist. (This is a new paragraph to be added to the functions set out in C 57/4, paragraph 78.)
Tenure of Office of Council Members and Geographical Distribution of Council Seats
442. The Conference decided that the term of office of Council Members would be for three years, as at present, one-third of the Council membership changing each year.
443. The Conference did not consider it desirable to adopt the recommendation of the ad hoc Committee that Member Nations elected to Council seats should be required to notify the Chairman of the Conference of the names of their representatives on the Council immediately after the election.
444. With regard to the geographical distribution of Council seats, the Conference decided to maintain the present distribution of seats by regions, and to make no alteration in the present procedure.
445. Having regard to the increased responsability of the Council, the Conference emphasized the extreme importance for national delegations to the Council, individually and collectively, to have a high standard of competence and experience in respect of the matters to be discussed by the Council.
Sessions of the Council
446. Without prejudice to the right of the Council to determine the date and place of its sessions, the Conference recommended that the Council hold a brief session immediately upon the conclusion of the biennal Conference session (for the purpose of taking any necessary action arising out of the Conference Session, electing the members of the standing committees, etc.), as well as one session in the autumn of the year following a session of the Conference, and one session in a Conference year at least 120 days prior to the Conference session, together with any additional sessions it might determine to hold.
Standing Committees
447. In order to dispel any ambiguity as to the authority of the Council and to simplify its procedures to the utmost, the Conference affirmed that the Committee on Commodity Problems, the Program Committee (previously the Co-ordinating Committee), the Finance Committee (previously Committee on Financial Control), and, when convened, the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Problems, would be Committees appointed by and reporting to the Council.
448. Having considered the suggestions of the ad hoc Committee regarding the integration of the sessions of the Committee on Commodity Problems, the Program Committee and Finance Committee with sessions of the Council (C 57/1, paragraphs 67-71) the Conference decided that such integration was impracticable.
Committee on Commodity Problems
449. The Conference agreed that the terms of reference of the Committee on Commodity Problems would be to consider commodity problems of an international character affecting production, trade, distribution and consumption, and related economic matters.
450. the Committee on Commodity Problems would be responsible for keeping the foregoing matters under continuous review in order to be able:
(a) to prepare a factual and interpretative survey of the world commodity situation, which would be made available directly to Member Nations; and
(b) to report and submit suggestions to the Council on policy issues arising out of its deliberations, it being understood that these reports and these of its subordinate bodies would be made available to Member Governments for their information.
451. The Committee on Commodity Problems would continue to be empowered to establish subsidiary bodies, subject to the necessary funds being available in the relevant Chapter of the approved Budget of the Organization and to the necessity of establishing such a body.
452. The membership of this Committee would continue to comprise twenty-four Member Governments; the tenure of office would be extended from one to two years.
453. The Conference did not consider it desirable to adopt the recommendation of the ad hoc Committee that Member Nations elected to the Committee on Commodity Problems should be required to state the names of the representatives who would attend the Committee sessions.
454. A Chairman and two Vice-Chairmen of the Committee would be elected by the Committee itself from amongst its members, and would hold office for two years.
455. The Committee would determine the date and place of its sessions.
Program Committee
456. The Conference decided that there should be a Program Committee (previously "Coordinating Committee ") with the following terms of reference:
(a) to review and report upon the current activities of the Organization;
(b) to review and report to the Council upon the regular Program of Work and Budget for the ensuing biennium;
(c) to review and report upon the program aspects of FAO/ETAP activities;
(d) to advise the Council on long range program objectives.
457. At its session in the first year of the biennium, the Program Committee would concentrate upon a review of the activities of the Organization under both programs and make recommendations on future trends and developments in the light of the general guidance by the Conference, and of the views of the Conference Technical Committees and of regional and other technical conferences and sessions. At its session held in the second year of the biennium, it would review the regular Program of Work prepared in draft by the Director-General as well as review the FAO/ETAP program for the current period. In its examination of the regular Program of Work for the ensuing biennium, the Program Committee would bear in mind three main considerations:
(a) the content and balance of the Program, having regard to the extent to which it is proposed that existing activities be expanded, reduced in scope, or discontinued;
(b) the extent of co-ordination of work between' the different technical divisions and between FAO and other international agencies;
(c) the priorities to be given to existing activities, extensions to existing activities, and to entirely new activities.
Finance Committee
458. The Conference adopted the proposal of the ad hoc Committee regarding the functions and terms of reference of the Finance Committee (C 57/4, paragraphs 37-39) but stressed the importance of the functions of the Finance Committee in respect of financial control. With regard to the Finance Committee's review of the Director-General's budgetary proposals (paragraph 39 [j]), the Conference decided that the Finance Committee should make recommendations thereon all important matters.
459. With regard to the authority of the Director-General in regard to financial matters (C 57/4, paragraph 41), the Conference decided that the Director-General should have the authority to take action in regard to the three matters set out hereunder but that he should report any action taken to the next following session of the Finance Committee:
(a) accept trust and special funds, subject to review by the Finance Committee, and act for the Organization in reaching agreement on their use and investment, provided their acceptance does not involve additional financial liability to Member Nations;
(b) select the bank or banks in which the funds of the Organization are deposited;
(c) make any ex gratia payments under Financial Regulation 10.3.
460. With regard to the proposal that the Director-General be given additional authority in relation to transfers from the Chapter " Contingencies " (C 57/4, paragraph 41 [a]), the Conference decided to maintain the Principle embodied in present Financial Regulation 4.5.d.
Joint Meetings on Program of Work and Budget
461. To ensure co-ordination between the Program Committee and the Finance Committee in regard to the examination by these two bodies of the Program of Work and Budget, the Conference decided that:
(a) concurrent sessions of both Committees be arranged in the second year of the biennium, at which they would independently review the Program of Work and Budget; the Program Committee would concern itself only with the relevant financial aspects of the Program, and the Finance Committee would not enter into matters outside its terms of reference or consider the merits of program proposals;
(b) the two Committees would then hold joint meetings, to consider issues of joint concern and in particular the implications of the Program insofar as the level of the Budget was concerned.
462. These separate and joint meeting during the sessions of these Committees in the second year of the biennium would provide an opportunity for consultation with the Director-General, at which time it was expected that agreement would be reached on a number of matters, and appropriate readjustments made. These joint meetings would culminate in a single consolidated report on matters of joint interest regarding the Program of Work and Budget, setting out the policy issues to be settled by the Conference.
463. The Director-General's Program of Work and Budget for the ensuing biennium should be circulated to all Member Governments at as early a date as possible, but should, where practicable, be accompanied by the joint report of the Program and Finance Committees.
Composition, Appointment and Term of Office of Program Committee and Finance Committee
464. The Conference adopted the proposal of the ad hoc Committee regarding the composition, appointment and tenure of office of the Program Committee and the Finance Committee (C 57/4, paragraphs 140-151). Since the Program Committee and the Finance Committee would meet concurrently in a Conference year, and would meet jointly when considering the draft Program of Work and Budget, it was decided to eliminate the provision whereby the Chairman of the Finance Committee would be invited to attend all sessions of the Program Committee (existing Rule XXVI-2[b]). The Chairman of the Council would have the right to attend sessions of either body ex officio.
Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters
465. The Conference decided that a Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters should be appointed by the Council, with the purpose of advising the Council on problems of a constitutional and legal character, as proposed by the ad hoc Committee (C 57/4, paragraphs 44-52 and 8182).
466. This Committee would not hold sessions unless and until the Council had decided to assign to it a specific task to perform. This Committee would not therefore be of a permanent character. It would comprise representatives of governments. The exact number or numbers would be determined by the Council but should not exceed seven members. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman would be elected by the Committee from among its members. The term of office of the Committee would not exceed the interval between sessions of the Council, but the Council, if it considered it desirable, could extend the Committee's term of office at any session.
Conference Technical Committees
467. The Conference recognized that the Conference Technical Committees, established by the Conference during each session, could exercise little influence upon the Program of Work for the immediately ensuing biennium which was already before the Conference for its final approval.
468. The Conference therefore decided that Committees established by any Commissions of the Conference to consider the technical activities of the Organization would primarily carry out a critical review of the current activities of the Organization and give guidance to the Director-General, the Program Committee and the Council regarding future undertakings of the Organization.
Reports of Standing Committees
469. With a view to simplifying the methods of work and strengthening the authority of the Council, the ad hoc Committee proposed that the standing committees be requested to prepare their reports to the Council in the form of drafts.
470. This method would certainly have considerable advantages in that the executive organ would have its work prepared in advance. It could thus adopt the report submitted by the standing committees, amend them, or, if it so decided, reject them.
471. The Conference decided, however, that such a system would be excessively rigid and would not take account of the importance of the functions given to the standing committees. While their task is primarily to prepare matters for decisions by the Council, they are also consultative bodies comprising eminent specialists whose task is to examine from a technical aspect the development and progress in the fields of their competence, and it is important that they should be in a position to fulfil fully this responsibility.
472. The Conference accordingly reached the conclusion that each standing committee should be in a position to present to the Council its own over-all report dealing with all the questions examined by it. It did, however, feel that where one of these committees considered it necessary to propose decisions for adoption by the Council or by the Conference, it would be very advantageous, if the committee considered it practicable, that these proposals should be formulated from the outset in the form of draft reports or draft resolution. The Council would thus have before it recommendations in the form of a carefully prepared text. It could then either adopt these drafts, amend them or reject them, or transmit them to the Conference if it considered that the decisions were not within its competence.
Documentation
473. With a view to reducing the volume of documentation the Conference decided that a single, concise working paper on each agenda item focussing the issue for decision, should be prepared for consideration by the Conference.
474. The organ preparing the report (Council or Committee) should decide:
(i) whether the basic document (which would normally be a document prepared by the Director-General) serves the purpose of providing information for the body itself, but that there was no need to give it wider circulation. In such a ease, the Committee should extract from the basic paper and incorporate in its own report such data and views as were indispensable to support its own reasoning. In no circumstances should the document be appended to the report of the Committee;
(ii) whether the Director-General's paper was an important technical contribution to the matter under discussion and should be made available to all Member Nations. In this case, the body concerned should request that the document be circulated for information to all Governments. However, on no account should it be listed as one of the working papers for a given session of the Council or Conference. The body concerned would draw up its own report, confining itself to discussing such aspects of the problem as require a concrete decision from a superior body, with appropriate reference to the Director-General's paper (which would have already been circulated at the time of the Conference or Council session);
(iii) whether, the issue being simple and straightforward, the body concerned could simply transmit the Director-General's paper to higher authority under cover of a memorandum. In such a case, the transmittal memorandum should preferably include a draft resolution for adoption by higher authority.
475. The Conference adopted the following Resolution:
Organizational Structure of FAO
The Conference
Approved the proposals made by the ad hoc Committee on Organizational Structure of FAO appointed by the Eighth Session of the Conference (C 57/4), as amended by the foregoing decisions of the Conference.
Adopts the necessary consequential amendments to the Constitution, Rules of Procedure and Financial Regulations included in Appendix I to this Report; and
Draws the attention of the Council, the Program Committee, the Finance Committee, the Committee on Commodity Problems and the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters to the need to draw up or amend their own Rules of Procedure in the light of the Conference's decisions.
Expression of Appreciation
476. Although the foregoing decisions relate to a large extent to issues upon which the Conference had felt it necessary to deviate from the proposals of the ad hoc Committee, the impression should not be given that the decisions were mainly negative.
477. The ad hoc Committee undertook a thorough and detailed analysis of the structure and working methods of the Organization and submitted an exceptionally valuable Report to the Conference. In this the Committee entirely fulfilled the hopes placed in it by the Eighth Session of the Conference. Its recommendations left no detail uncovered. They eliminated the ambiguities which resulted from the rather empirical manner in which the various parts of the Organization's machinery developed, and they corrected the faults which experience has brought to light. The ad hoc Committee had very rightly submitted bold proposals. If the Conference thought fit to be rather cautious in dealing with these proposals, it was nevertheless true that the work which the Committee has done had been essentially fruitful.
478. The Conference accordingly wished to express its satisfaction and gratitude to the members of the ad hoc Committee, and, in particular to its Chairman, Sir Donald Vandepeer, who untiringly conducted the Committee's proceedings with outstanding ability. The work accomplished by the ad hoc Committee might well be a source of pride, constituting as it did an original contribution to the solution of the constitutional and administrative problems which new international organizations have to face.
B. Method of election of council members
479. The Conference at its Eighth Session (November 1955) requested the Council to consider the amendments to be made to the Rules of Procedure and, if need be, to the Constitution of the Organization, regarding the methods of election of Council members (Conference Resolution No. 52/55). The Council established a Special Committee to study the question, and this Special Committee reported to the Council thereon. The Council forwarded the Special Committee's Report to the Conference at its Ninth Session together with its own comments (C/57-36). The Conference agreed to the Report of the Special Committee, subject to the alterations recorded hereunder.
Council Elections
480. The Conference endorsed the proposal that nominations for election to Council seats should be for a specific region and not for a specific seat.
481. In view of its decision to maintain the present system of filling one-thin-d of the Council seats annually, the Conference decided that there should be separate ballots for the vacancies in a given region occurring in the year of the Conference Session and at the end of the succeeding year, except that a single ballot-paper may be used if the number of nations standing for the election in a particular region is equal to the number of vacancies for both the years.
482. Each Nation may specify in the nomination paper the year for which it is seeking election, but a Nation may not seek election for a year for which it is already a Member of the Council. Candidates who are unsuccessful in the election to fill the vacancy or group of vacancies in the first year will automatically become candidates for election to the vacancy or group of vacancies occurring in the second year, except where they voluntarily withdraw.
483. (Is Missing)
Withdrawal of Candidature
484. The Conference did not adopt the proposal made by the Special Committee regarding the reinclusion in the list of candidates of those who have withdrawn or been eliminated from the election in any ballot, in the event of the subsequent withdrawal of another candidate (C 57/36, Appendix I, paragraph 47).
Elections to a Single Place
485. With regard to the recommendation of the Special Committee to adopt a system of progressive elimination where the required majority was not obtained in elections to a single place, the Conference did not favor any system which would result in the elimination of candidates, as they considered that experience had shown such a system to be unnecessary and that it might produce an unfair result. Although a modification of the Special Committee's recommendation was proposed by the delegate of Australia, the Conference decided to retain the existing Rules of Procedure, which do not provide for any system of elimination.
486. The Conference accordingly adopted the following Resolution:
Method of Election of Council Members
The Conference
Having considered the Report of the Special Committee on Methods of Election
Decides to adopt the recommendations of the Special Council Committee on Methods of Election (C 57/36 - Appendix I) subject to the modifications recorded in this report;
Adopts the consequential amendments to the Constitution, Rules of Procedure and Financial Regulations relevant to election methods which are set out in Appendix I to this Report.
487. The Conference wished to express its appreciation to the members of the Special Committee on Methods of Election, and to its Chairman, Mr. Frank W. Bulcock (Australia) for the valuable report it had prepared on a most complex subject
C. Co-operation with international organizations
Methods Applied in Developing Co-operation with International Organizations
International Governmental Organizations
488. The Conference noted from the Council's report on this subject (C 57/37) that the methods applied in developing co-operation with the United Nations group of organizations were matters that were dealt with by consultation between the heads of the organizations concerned and came to be modified appropriately as circumstances demanded and opportunity arose.
489. Where there was an agreement or an exchange of letters between FAO and another international organization, the well-defined relationship was likely from time to time to be brought into line with changing conditions. The Committee on Commodity Problems kept itself regularly informed of the work of many specialized international nongovernmental organizations in the commodity field. Thus methods of developing co-operation with such organizations were automatically under constant scrutiny.
490. In general, the Conference agreed with the Council that so far as inter-governmental organizations were concerned, the emphasis should by and large be on a practical exchange of knowledge and ideas, exchange of appropriate selected documents and publications, joint action projects for which the respective organizations were suitably equipped and in which joint action, with appropriate allocation of functions, offered the best solution to the particular problem. The tendency with regard to attendance at meetings should be increasingly to keep participation to technical meetings or at most to meetings where technical policy was made and the question of relations discussed. (See also paragraphs 366 to 372, " Increasing Inter-Agency Co-operation ".)
International Non-Governmental Organizations
491. The Conference also noted that experience had shown that with the rapid growth in the number of organizations having relations with FAO, it had become necessary to apply strictly the criteria for granting consultative status and specialized consultative status set forth in the FAO Policy concerning Relations with International Non-Governmental Organizations Conference Resolution 37/53).
492. The Conference appreciated, however, that much fruitful co-operation had developed and would continue to develop, particularly at the technical level, between FAO and a considerable member of non-governmental organizations, which did not necessitate either consultative or specialized consultative status, and that the support and co-operation of such organizations should be recognized by granting them some form of formal status that would be in keeping with the extent of their association with FAO and its work. Liaison arrangements as a category was inadequate and inappropriate for many organizations whose co-operation was essentially practical and technical.
493. The Conference therefore approved the proposal of the Council that liaison arrangements should be replaced by a new status, designated " liaison status", and that the greater flexibility in its criteria and scope would facilitate the task of appropriately classifying the organizations that have relations with FAO.
Establishment of Liaison Status for International Non-Governmental Organizations
The Conference
Takes the view that liaison arrangements as a category are inadequate and inappropriate for many organizations whose co-operation is essential!), practical and technical; and
Decides that liaison arrangements shall be replaced by a new status, designated " liaison status ", as set forth in Appendix B to this Report.
Review of the List of Organizations in Status with FAO
494. Paragraph 5 of Section V of the FAO Policy concerning Relations with International Non-Governmental Organizations provides for a periodic review of the list of organizations approved for consultative status.
Review of the List of Organizations in Consultative Status with FAO
The Conference
Pursuant to the provisions of paragraph V5 of the FAO Policy concerning relations with international non-governmental organizations (Conference Resolution 37/53); and
Having regard to the conclusions reached by the Council at its Twenty-Sixth Session;
Agrees that the relations with the organizations in consultative status with FAO have continued to be satisfactory; and
Decides that there is no action to be taken in the matter.
495. The Conference also accepted a recommendation of the Council that after a trial period of two years a further examination should be carried out in order to ascertain whether a change in any of the formal status classifications was necessary.
Review of List of Organizations in Formal Status with FAO
The Conference
Considering that all non-governmental organizations in formal status with FAO must play the part expected of them in promoting the objectives of the Organization;
Requests the Council to review the list of organizations in consultative, specialized consultative and liaison status with the Organization in time to report to the Conference at its Tenth Session.
The Granting of Consultative Status to Non-Governmental Organizations
496. Section III of the FAO Policy concerning Relations with International Non-Governmental Organizations provides that the Conference shall at each session examine and take a decision upon the proposal submitted by the Council concerning the organizations seeking consultative status.
Granting of Consultative Status to Non-Governmental Organizations
The Conference
Having considered applications for consultative status submitted by various international non-governmental organizations; and
Noting the recommendations of the Council concerning these applications;
Decides to grant consultative status to the World Veterans Federation.
D. Granting of observer status
497. At its Eighth Session the Conference requested the Council to consider and suggest amendments to the Constitution and Rules of Procedure for the purpose of eliminating any possible ambiguity with respect to the question of observer status, with special reference to the definition of such status, the establishment of criteria for the granting of the status and the consideration of all juridical and practical aspects of the problem.
Observer Status in Respect of Nations
498. The Conference accepted the Council's view that the objective would be fulfilled by defining (a) the categories of nations that may be invited to send observers to meetings of the Organization, (b) the authority that may grant the status of observer to such nations, and (c) the status to be accorded to observers; and that, since there were very few provisions in the Constitution and Rules of Procedure relating to observer status in respect of nations, it was preferable to formulate a statement of principles' on the subject.
499. Therefore, after introducing certain amendments to the text which the Council had proposed (see report of 26th Session of the Council), the Conference adopted the following Resolution:
Observer Status in Respect of Nations
The Conference
Considering that Article III of the Constitution and the relevant Rules of Procedure regarding observer status are not sufficiently clear;
Adopts the statement of principles relating to the granting of observer status to nations set forth in Appendix C to this report;
Requests all bodies set up under the aegis of the Organization in accordance with Articles VI and XIV of the Constitution to bring their statutes and rules of procedure into harmony with the aforementioned principles at the earliest possible date.
500. The Conference considered that the principle set out in Section A, paragraph 2 of the statement of principles referred to above should be included in the Rules adopted by the Conference and consequently requested the Council to submit to the next session of the Conference a draft amendment to Rule XXVI.9 (former XXV.5).
Observer Status in respect of International Organizations
The Conference
Decide:
(a) that in future intergovernmental organizations that do not have an agreement with FAO and non-governmental organizations in liaison status with FAO may be invited to send observers to Conference and Council sessions if, in the judgment of the Director-General, there are concrete reasons for inviting them which would forward the work of the Organization;
(b) that the status of observers sent to FAO meetings by intergovernmental organizations that have relations with FAO shall not be less than that accorded to the observers of non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Organization; and
Notes that subject to the foregoing interpretation the provisions of the Constitution and Rules of Procedure which apply to international organizations and the FAO policy statement concerning relations with international non-governmental organizations adopted at its Seventh Session provide adequate criteria for the granting of observer status to international organizations and adequately define the status of their observers.
502. Under the provisions of Rule XXI paragraph 6 of the Rules of Procedure of the Organization, the Director-General is required to " report to the Conference whenever a convention, agreement, regulation, or supplementary agreement has, in accordance with its terms, come into force or ceased to be in force, or has been amended and the amendments come into force ".
Status of Conventions and Agreements and Amendments thereto
The Conference
Having taken cognizance of the Report on the Status of Conventions and Agreements submitted to it by the Director-General as Document C 57/40 under the provisions of Rule XXI paragraph 6 of the Rules of Procedure,
Adopts the Report.
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