Decision directed to Secretariat

The Secretariat shall:

a) prepare a document for consideration by the Standing Committee containing information relating to the risk-assessment approaches implemented by the Secretariat to determine the best course of action if intersessional work and meetings are affected by emerging operational issues, such as those experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and referred to in paragraph 2 g) of Annex 1 to Resolution Conf. 18.2 on Establishment of committees;

b) prepare a document for consideration by the Standing Committee, Animals Committee and Plants Committee reflecting the Secretariat's recommendations for the exceptional circumstances under which it may be appropriate to hold an online meeting or make hybrid options available to Parties to facilitate participation in a face-to-face meeting of the Standing Committee, Animals Committee and Plants Committee; and

c) based on the guidance provided to the committees relating to the use of the Rules of Procedures for the online meetings of the 73rd meeting of the Standing Committee, 31st meeting of the Animals Committee and 25th meeting of the Plants Committee, provide the Standing Committee, Animals Committee and Plants Committee with a document highlighting the provisions in the Rules of Procedure that may require further consideration for online and hybrid meetings.