The first meeting of the Open-Ended Legal and Technical Working Group (OELTWG) of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) convened for its second day, on 22 October 2008, at FAO headquarters, in Rome, Italy. During the morning, delegates heard a report from the contact group on the bureau and subsidiary bodies. Contact group Chair Barry Reville (Australia) reported that progress had been made, but the issue of bureau composition required further discussion and that more time was required to consider subsidiary bodies.
Throughout the morning delegates continued their “read through” of the rules of procedure for the committee for the development of SAICM (SAICM/OELTWG.1/2) and considered how these could be adapted to serve the International Committee on Chemicals Management (ICCM).
Wednesday afternoon, Chair Alvarez introduced a paper containing the compilation of ideas on rules of procedure, prepared by the Secretariat (SAICM/OELTWG.1/CRP.1), and delegates began negotiating non-controversial issues.
Chair Alvarez tasked two contact groups to review points of contention. The contact group on the bureau and subsidiary bodies was asked to continue its work, and met at lunchtime and in the evening. The second was tasked with discussing rules of procedure related to participants, accreditation/credentials and decision-making. This group met in the evening.
