(a)To start the work to implement the strategy of the joint clearing-house mechanism3 in a gradual and cost‑effective manner;
(b)To implement the activities of the workplan for the biennium 2018–2019 in accordance with the programme of work and budget for the Convention for the biennium;
(a)To ensure that activities undertaken in the development of the clearing-house mechanism are cost-effective, proportionate and balanced and in line with the capacity and resources of the Secretariat;
(c)To implement activities in-house whenever possible and to resort to the use of consultants only in justifiable cases;
(d)To link with other relevant existing mechanisms and sources of information without having to redo the content already contained in them;
(e)Where possible, to participate in meetings through electronic means and to use translations already available in the six official United Nations languages;
5.Further requests the Secretariat to continue to enhance cooperation and coordination activities with existing partners in the area of information exchange, to explore possible cooperative activities with new partners as appropriateand to ensure complementarity and avoid duplication with existing and future activities, tools and mechanisms;
6.Invites Parties and others to participate, as appropriate, in the development of the strategy and in relevant activities of the workplan in accordance with the present decision;