Common use of Meeting of the Parties Clause in Contracts

Meeting of the Parties. 1. The Meeting of the Parties shall be the decision-making body of this Agreement. 2. The Depositary shall, in consultation with the Convention Secretariat, convene a session of the Meeting of the Parties not later than one year after the date of the entry into force of this Agreement. Thereafter, the Agreement secretariat shall convene, in consultation with the Convention Secretariat, ordinary sessions of the Meeting of the Parties at intervals of not more than three years, unless the Meeting of the Parties decides otherwise. Where it is possible to do so, such sessions should be held in conjunction with the ordinary meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention. 3. On the written request of at least one third of the Parties, the Agreement secretariat shall convene an extraordinary session of the Meeting of the Parties. 4. The United Nations, its Specialized Agencies, the International Atomic Energy Agency, any State not a Party to the Agreement, and the secretariats of international conventions concerned inter alia with the conservation, including protection and management, of migratory waterbirds may be represented by observers in sessions of the Meeting of the Parties. Any agency or body technically qualified in such conservation matters or in research on migratory waterbirds may also be represented at sessions of the Meeting of the Parties by observers, unless at least one third of the Parties present object. 5. Only Parties have the right to vote. Each Party shall have one vote, but regional economic integration organizations which are Parties to this Agreement shall, in matters within their competence, exercise their right to vote with a number of votes equal to the number of their Member States which are Parties to the Agreement. A regional economic integration organization shall not exercise its right to vote if its Member States exercise theirs, and vice versa. 6. Unless provided otherwise in this Agreement, decisions of the Meeting of the Parties shall be adopted by consensus or, if consensus cannot be achieved, by a two-thirds majority of the Parties present and voting. 7. At its first session, the Meeting of the Parties shall: (a) adopt its rules of procedure by consensus; (b) establish an Agreement secretariat within the Convention Secretariat to perform the secretariat functions listed in Article VIII of this Agreement; (c) establish the Technical Committee provided for in Article VII of this Agreement; (d) adopt a format for the reports to be prepared according to Article V, paragraph 1, subparagraph (c), of this Agreement; and (e) adopt criteria to define emergency situations which require urgent conservation measures, and determine the modalities for assigning responsibility for action to be taken. 8. At each of its ordinary sessions, the Meeting of the Parties shall: (a) consider actual and potential changes in the conservation status of migratory waterbirds and the habitats important for their survival, as well as the factors which may affect them; (b) review the progress made and any difficulty encountered in the implementation of this Agreement; (c) adopt a budget and consider any matters relating to the financial arrangements for this Agreement; (d) deal with any matter relating to the Agreement secretariat and the membership of the Technical Committee; (e) adopt a report for communication to the Parties to this Agreement and to the Conference of the Parties of the Convention; and (f) determine the time and venue of the next session. 9. At any of its sessions, the Meeting of the Parties may: (a) make recommendations to the Parties as it deems necessary or appropriate; (b) adopt specific actions to improve the effectiveness of this Agreement and, as the case may be, emergency measures as provided for in Article VII, paragraph 4, of this Agreement; (c) consider and decide upon proposals to amend this Agreement; (d) amend the Action Plan in accordance with Article IV, paragraph 3, of this Agreement; (e) establish such subsidiary bodies as it deems necessary to assist in the implementation of this Agreement, in particular for coordination with bodies established under other international treaties, conventions and agreements with overlapping geographic and taxonomic coverage; and (f) decide on any other matter relating to the implementation of this Agreement.

Meeting of the Parties. 1. The Meeting of the Parties shall be is the decision-making body of this Agreement. 2. The Depositary shall, in consultation with the Convention Secretariat, Secretariat shall convene a the first session of the Meeting of the Parties not later than one year after the date of the entry into force of this Agreement. Thereafter, the Agreement secretariat shall convene, in consultation agreement with the Convention Secretariat, ordinary sessions of the Meeting of the Parties at intervals of not more than three years, unless the Meeting of the Parties decides otherwise. Where it is possible to do so, such sessions should be held in conjunction with the ordinary meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention. 3. On the written request of at least one third of the Parties, the Agreement secretariat shall convene an extraordinary session of the Meeting of the Parties. 4. The United Nations, its Specialized Agencies, the International Atomic Energy Agency, any State not a Party to the Agreement, and the secretariats of international conventions concerned inter alia with the conservation, including protection and management, of migratory waterbirds gorillas, as well as forest management, may be represented by observers in sessions of the Meeting of the Parties. Any agency or body technically qualified in such conservation matters or in research on migratory waterbirds gorillas and forest management may also be represented at sessions of the Meeting of the Parties by observers, unless at least one third of the Parties present object. 5. Only Parties have the right to vote. Each Party shall have one vote, but . But regional economic integration organizations organisations which are Parties to this Agreement shall, in matters within their competence, exercise their right to vote with a number of votes equal to the number of their Member States which are Parties to the Agreement. A regional economic integration organization shall not exercise its right to vote if its Member States exercise theirs, and vice versa. 6. Unless provided otherwise in this Agreement, decisions of the Meeting of the Parties shall be adopted by consensus or, if consensus cannot be achieved, by a two-thirds majority of the Parties present and voting. 7. At its first session, the Meeting of the Parties shall: (a) adopt its rules of procedure by consensus; (b) establish an Agreement secretariat within the Convention Secretariat to perform the secretariat functions listed in Article VIII VII of this Agreement; (c) establish the Technical Committee provided for in Article VII VI of this Agreement; (d) adopt a format for the reports to be prepared according to Article VIV, paragraph 1, subparagraph 1 (c), of this Agreement; and; (e) adopt criteria to define emergency situations which require urgent conservation measures, and determine the modalities for assigning responsibility for action to be taken; and (f) adopt the Action Plan, as indicated in Article VIII of this Agreement. 8. At each of its ordinary sessions, the Meeting of the Parties shall: (a) consider actual and potential changes in the conservation status of migratory waterbirds gorillas and the habitats important for their survival, as well as the factors which may affect them; (b) review the progress made and any difficulty encountered in the implementation of this Agreement; (c) adopt a budget and consider any matters relating to the financial arrangements for this Agreement; (d) deal with any matter relating to the Agreement secretariat and the membership of the Technical Committee; (e) adopt a report for communication to the Parties to this Agreement and to the Conference of the Parties of the Convention; and (f) determine the time and venue of the next session. 9. At any of its sessions, the Meeting of the Parties may: (a) make recommendations to the Parties as it deems necessary or appropriate; (b) adopt specific actions to improve the effectiveness of this Agreement and, as the case may be, emergency measures as will be defined by the first Meeting of the Parties, as provided for in by Article VIIV, paragraph 4, 7 (e) of this Agreement; (c) consider and decide upon proposals to amend this Agreement; (d) amend the Action Plan in accordance with Article IVVIII, paragraph 3, of this Agreement; (e) establish such subsidiary bodies as it deems necessary to assist in the implementation of this Agreement, in particular for coordination with bodies established under other international treaties, conventions and agreements with overlapping geographic and taxonomic coverage; and (f) decide on any other matter relating to the implementation of this Agreement.

Meeting of the Parties. 1. The Meeting of the Parties shall be the decision-making body of this Agreement. 2. The Depositary shall, in consultation with the Convention Secretariat, convene a session of the Meeting of the Parties not later than one year after the date of the entry into force of this Agreement. Thereafter, the Agreement secretariat shall convene, in consultation with the Convention Secretariat, ordinary sessions of the Meeting of the Parties at intervals of not more than three years, unless the Meeting of the Parties decides otherwise. Where it is possible to do so, such sessions should be held in conjunction with the ordinary meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention. 3. On the written request of at least one third of the Parties, the Agreement secretariat shall convene an extraordinary session of the Meeting of the Parties. 4. The United Nations, its Specialized Agencies, the International Atomic Energy Agency, any State not a Party to the Agreement, and the secretariats of international conventions concerned inter alia with the conservation, including protection and management, of migratory waterbirds may be represented by observers in sessions of the Meeting of the Parties. Any agency or body technically qualified in such conservation matters or in research on migratory waterbirds may also be represented at sessions of the Meeting of the Parties by observers, unless at least one third of the Parties present object. 5. Only Parties have the right to vote. Each Party shall have one vote, but regional economic integration organizations which are Parties to this Agreement shall, in matters within their competence, exercise their right to vote with a number of votes equal to the number of their Member States which are Parties to the Agreement. A regional economic integration organization shall not exercise its right to vote if its Member States exercise theirs, and vice versa. 6. Unless provided otherwise in this Agreement, decisions of the Meeting of the Parties shall be adopted by consensus or, if consensus cannot be achieved, by a two-thirds majority of the Parties present and voting. 7. At its first session, the Meeting of the Parties shall: (a) adopt its rules of procedure by consensus; (b) establish an Agreement secretariat within the Convention Secretariat to perform the secretariat functions listed in Article VIII of this Agreement; (c) establish the Technical Committee provided for in Article VII of this Agreement; (d) adopt a format for the reports to be prepared according to Article V, paragraph 1, subparagraph (c), of this Agreement; and (e) adopt criteria to define emergency situations which require urgent conservation measures, and determine the modalities for assigning responsibility for action to be taken. 8. At each of its ordinary sessions, the Meeting of the Parties shall: (a) consider actual and potential changes in the conservation status of migratory waterbirds and the habitats important for their survival, as well as the factors which may affect them; (b) review the progress made and any difficulty encountered in the implementation of this Agreement; (c) adopt a budget and consider any matters relating to the financial arrangements for this Agreement; (d) deal with any matter relating to the Agreement secretariat and the membership of the Technical Committee; (e) adopt a report for communication to the Parties to this Agreement and to the Conference of the Parties of the Convention; and (f) determine the time and venue of the next session. 9. At any of its sessions, the Meeting of the Parties may: (a) make recommendations to the Parties as it deems necessary or appropriate; (b) adopt specific actions to improve the effectiveness of this Agreement and, as the case may be, emergency measures as provided for in Article VII, paragraph 4, of this Agreement; (c) consider and decide upon proposals to amend this Agreement; (d) amend the Action Plan in accordance with Article IV, paragraph 3, of this Agreement; (e) establish such subsidiary bodies as it deems necessary to assist in the implementation of this Agreement, in particular for coordination with bodies established under other international treaties, conventions and agreements with overlapping geographic and taxonomic coverage; and (f) decide on any other matter relating to the implementation of this Agreement.

Meeting of the Parties. 1. The Meeting of the Parties shall be the decision-making decision‐making body of this Agreement. 2. The Depositary shallshall convene, in consultation with the Convention SecretariatSecretariat of the Convention, convene a session of the Meeting of the Parties to this Agreement not later than one year after the date of the its entry into force of this Agreementforce. Thereafter, the Agreement secretariat shall convene, in consultation with the Convention SecretariatSecretariat of the Convention, ordinary sessions of the Meeting of the Parties at intervals of not more than three years, unless the Meeting of the Parties decides otherwise. Where it is possible to do so, such sessions should be held in conjunction with the ordinary meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention. 3. On the written request of at least one third of the Parties, the The Agreement secretariat shall convene an extraordinary session of the Meeting of the Parties on the written request of at least two thirds of the Parties. 4. The United Nations, its Specialized Agencies, the International Atomic Energy Agency, any State not a Party to the this Agreement, and the secretariats of international other global and regional conventions or agreements concerned inter alia with the conservationconservation of cetaceans, including protection and management, of migratory waterbirds regional or sub‐ regional fisheries management organizations with competence for species found temporarily or permanently resident in the Agreement area may be represented by observers in sessions of the Meeting of the Parties. Any other agency or body technically qualified in such the conservation matters or in research on migratory waterbirds of cetaceans may also be represented at sessions of the Meeting of the Parties by observers, unless at least one third of the Parties present object. Once admitted to a session of the Meeting of the Parties, an observer shall continue to be entitled to participate in future sessions unless one third of the Parties object at least thirty days before the start of the session. 5. Only Parties have the right to vote. Each Party shall have one vote, but regional . Regional economic integration organizations which are Parties to this Agreement shallshall exercise, in matters within their competence, exercise their right to vote with a number of votes equal to the number of their Member member States which are Parties to the Agreement. A regional economic integration organization shall not exercise its right to vote if its Member member States exercise theirs, theirs and vice versa. 6. Unless provided otherwise in this Agreement, All decisions of the Meeting of the Parties shall be adopted by consensus orexcept as otherwise provided in Article X of this Agreement. However, if consensus cannot be achievedachieved in respect of matters covered by the annexes to the Agreement, a decision may be adopted by a two-two thirds majority of the Parties present and voting. In the event of a vote, any Party may, within one hundred and fifty days, notify the Depositary in writing of its intention not to apply the said decision. 7. At its first session, the Meeting of the Parties shall: (a) adopt its rules of procedure by consensusprocedure; (b) establish an Agreement secretariat within the Convention Secretariat to perform the secretariat functions listed in Article VIII IV of this Agreement; (c) establish designate in each sub‐region, within an existing institution, a Co‐ordination unit to facilitate implementation of the Technical Committee measures prescribed in Annex 2 to this Agreement; d) elect a Bureau as provided for in Article VII of this AgreementVI; (de) adopt establish a format Scientific Committee, as provided for the reports to be prepared according to in Article V, paragraph 1, subparagraph (c), of this AgreementVII; and (ef) adopt criteria to define emergency situations which require urgent conservation measuresdecide on the format and content of Party reports on the implementation of the Agreement, and determine the modalities as provided for assigning responsibility for action to be takenin Article VIII. 8. At each of its ordinary sessions, the Meeting of the Parties shall: (a) consider actual and potential changes in review scientific assessments of the conservation status of migratory waterbirds cetaceans of the Agreement area and the habitats which are important for to their survival, as well as the factors which may affect themthem unfavourably; (b) review the progress made and any difficulty difficulties encountered in the implementation of this Agreement on the basis of the reports of the Parties and of the Agreement secretariat; c) make recommendations to the Parties as it deems necessary or appropriate and adopt specific actions to improve the effectiveness of this Agreement; (cd) examine and decide upon any proposals to amend, as may be necessary, this Agreement; e) adopt a budget for the next financial period and consider decide upon any matters relating to the financial arrangements for this Agreement; (df) deal with any matter relating to review the arrangements for the Agreement secretariat secretariat, the Co‐ordination units and the membership of the Technical Scientific Committee; (eg) adopt a report for communication to the Parties to this Agreement and to the Conference of the Parties of the Convention; and; (fh) determine agree on the provisional time and venue of the next session. 9. At any of its sessions, the Meeting of the Parties may: (a) make recommendations to the Parties as it deems necessary or appropriate; (b) adopt specific actions to improve the effectiveness of this Agreement and, as the case may be, emergency measures as provided for in Article VII, paragraph 4, of this Agreement; (c) consider and decide upon proposals to amend this Agreement; (d) amend the Action Plan in accordance with Article IV, paragraph 3, of this Agreement; (e) establish such subsidiary bodies as it deems necessary to assist in the implementation of this Agreement, in particular for coordination with bodies established under other international treaties, conventions and agreements with overlapping geographic and taxonomic coveragemeeting; and (fi) decide on deal with any other matter relating to the implementation of this Agreement.

Meeting of the Parties. 1. The Meeting of the Parties shall be the decision-making body of this Agreement. 2. The Depositary shall, in consultation with the Convention Secretariat, convene a session of the Meeting of the Parties not later than one year after the date of the entry into force of this Agreement. Thereafter, the Agreement secretariat shall convenecon- vene, in consultation with the Convention Secretariat, ordinary sessions of the Meeting of the Parties at intervals of not more than three years, unless the Meeting of the Parties decides otherwiseother- wise. Where it is possible to do so, such sessions should be held in conjunction with the ordinary meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention. 3. On the written request of at least one third of the Parties, the Agreement secretariat shall convene an extraordinary session of the Meeting of the Parties. 4. The United Nations, its Specialized Agenciesspecialised agencies, the International Interna- tional Atomic Energy Agency, any State not a Party to the AgreementAgree- ment, and the secretariats of international conventions concerned concerned, inter alia alia, with the conservation, including protection and management, of migratory waterbirds may be represented by observers in sessions of the Meeting of the Parties. Any agency or body technically qualified in such conservation matters or in research on migratory waterbirds may also be represented at sessions ses- sions of the Meeting of the Parties by observers, unless at least one third of the Parties present object. 5. Only Parties have the right to vote. Each Party shall have one vote, but regional economic integration organizations organisations which are Parties to this Agreement shall, in matters within their competencecom- petence, exercise their right to vote with a number of votes equal to the number of their Member States which are Parties to the Agreement. A regional economic integration organization organisation shall not exercise its right to vote if its Member States exercise theirs, and vice versa. 6. Unless provided otherwise in this Agreement, decisions of the Meeting of the Parties shall be adopted by consensus or, if consensus cannot be achieved, by a two-thirds majority of the Parties present and voting. 7. At its first session, the Meeting of the Parties shall: (a) adopt its rules of procedure by consensus; (b) establish an Agreement secretariat within the Convention Secretariat to perform the secretariat functions listed in Article VIII of this Agreement; (c) establish the Technical Committee provided for in Article VII of this Agreement; (d) adopt a format for the reports to be prepared according to Article V, paragraph 1, subparagraph (c), V(1)(c) of this Agreement; and (e) adopt criteria to define emergency situations which require urgent conservation measures, and determine the modalities modali- ties for assigning responsibility for action to be taken. 8. At each of its ordinary sessions, the Meeting of the Parties shall: (a) consider actual and potential changes in the conservation status of migratory waterbirds and the habitats important for their survival, as well as the factors which may affect them; (b) review the progress made and any difficulty encountered in the implementation of this Agreement; (c) adopt a budget and consider any matters relating to the financial arrangements for this Agreement; (d) deal with any matter relating to the Agreement secretariat and the membership of the Technical Committee; (e) adopt a report for communication to the Parties to this Agreement and to the Conference of the Parties of the Convention; and (f) determine the time and venue of the next session. 9. At any of its sessions, the Meeting of the Parties may: (a) make recommendations to the Parties as it deems necessary or appropriate; (b) adopt specific actions to improve the effectiveness of this Agreement and, as the case may be, emergency measures as provided for in Article VII, paragraph 4, VII(4) of this Agreement; (c) consider and decide upon proposals to amend this Agreement; (d) amend the Action Plan in accordance with Article IV, paragraph 3, IV(3) of this Agreement; (e) establish such subsidiary bodies as it deems necessary to assist in the implementation of this Agreement, in particular particu- lar for coordination with bodies established under other international treaties, conventions and agreements with overlapping over- lapping geographic and taxonomic coverage; and (f) decide on any other matter relating to the implementation of this Agreement.

Meeting of the Parties. 1. The Meeting of the Parties shall be the decision-making body of this Agreement. 2. The Depositary shallshall convene, in consultation with the Convention SecretariatSecretariat of the Convention, convene a session of the Meeting of the Parties to this Agreement not later than one year after the date of the its entry into force of this Agreementforce. Thereafter, the Agreement secretariat shall convene, in consultation with the Convention SecretariatSecretariat of the Convention, ordinary sessions of the Meeting of the Parties at intervals of not more than three years, unless the Meeting of the Parties decides otherwise. Where it is possible to do so, such sessions should be held in conjunction with the ordinary meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention. 3. On the written request of at least one third of the Parties, the The Agreement secretariat shall convene an extraordinary session of the Meeting of the Parties on the written request of at least two thirds of the Parties. 4. The United Nations, its Specialized Agencies, the International Atomic Energy Agency, any State not a Party to the this Agreement, and the secretariats of international other global and regional conventions or agreements concerned inter alia with the conservationconservation of cetaceans, including protection and management, of migratory waterbirds regional or sub-regional fisheries management organizations with competence for species found temporarily or permanently resident in the Agreement area may be represented by observers in sessions of the Meeting of the Parties. Any other agency or body technically qualified in such the conservation matters or in research on migratory waterbirds of cetaceans may also be represented at sessions of the Meeting of the Parties by observers, unless at least one third of the Parties present object. Once admitted to a session of the Meeting of the Parties, an observer shall continue to be entitled to participate in future sessions unless one third of the Parties object at least thirty days before the start of the session. 5. Only Parties have the right to vote. Each Party shall have one vote, but regional . Regional economic integration organizations which are Parties to this Agreement shallshall exercise, in matters within their competence, exercise their right to vote with a number of votes equal to the number of their Member member States which are Parties to the Agreement. A regional economic integration organization shall not exercise its right to vote if its Member member States exercise theirs, theirs and vice versa. 6. Unless provided otherwise in this Agreement, All decisions of the Meeting of the Parties shall be adopted by consensus orexcept as otherwise provided in Article X of this Agreement. However, if consensus cannot be achievedachieved in respect of matters covered by the annexes to the Agreement, a decision may be adopted by a two-two thirds majority of the Parties present and voting. In the event of a vote, any Party may, within one hundred and fifty days, notify the Depositary in writing of its intention not to apply the said decision. 7. At its first session, the Meeting of the Parties shall: (a) adopt its rules of procedure by consensusprocedure; (b) establish an Agreement secretariat within the Convention Secretariat to perform the secretariat functions listed in Article VIII IV of this Agreement; (c) establish designate in each sub-region, within an existing institution, a Co-ordination unit to facilitate implementation of the Technical Committee measures prescribed in Annex 2 to this Agreement; d) elect a Bureau as provided for in Article VII of this AgreementVI; (de) adopt establish a format Scientific Committee, as provided for the reports to be prepared according to in Article V, paragraph 1, subparagraph (c), of this AgreementVII; and (ef) adopt criteria to define emergency situations which require urgent conservation measuresdecide on the format and content of Party reports on the implementation of the Agreement, and determine the modalities as provided for assigning responsibility for action to be takenin Article VIII. 8. At each of its ordinary sessions, the Meeting of the Parties shall: (a) consider actual and potential changes in review scientific assessments of the conservation status of migratory waterbirds cetaceans of the Agreement area and the habitats which are important for to their survival, as well as the factors which may affect themthem unfavourably; (b) review the progress made and any difficulty difficulties encountered in the implementation of this Agreement on the basis of the reports of the Parties and of the Agreement secretariat; c) make recommendations to the Parties as it deems necessary or appropriate and adopt specific actions to improve the effectiveness of this Agreement; (cd) examine and decide upon any proposals to amend, as may be necessary, this Agreement; e) adopt a budget for the next financial period and consider decide upon any matters relating to the financial arrangements for this Agreement; (df) deal with any matter relating to review the arrangements for the Agreement secretariat secretariat, the Co-ordination units and the membership of the Technical Scientific Committee; (eg) adopt a report for communication to the Parties to this Agreement and to the Conference of the Parties of the Convention; and; (fh) determine agree on the provisional time and venue of the next session. 9. At any of its sessions, the Meeting of the Parties may: (a) make recommendations to the Parties as it deems necessary or appropriate; (b) adopt specific actions to improve the effectiveness of this Agreement and, as the case may be, emergency measures as provided for in Article VII, paragraph 4, of this Agreement; (c) consider and decide upon proposals to amend this Agreement; (d) amend the Action Plan in accordance with Article IV, paragraph 3, of this Agreement; (e) establish such subsidiary bodies as it deems necessary to assist in the implementation of this Agreement, in particular for coordination with bodies established under other international treaties, conventions and agreements with overlapping geographic and taxonomic coveragemeeting; and (fi) decide on deal with any other matter relating to the implementation of this Agreement.

Meeting of the Parties. 1. The Meeting of the Parties shall be the decision-making body of this Agreement. 2. The Depositary shallshall convene, in consultation with the Convention SecretariatSecretariat of the Convention, convene a session of the Meeting of the Parties to this Agreement not later than one year after the date of the its entry into force of this Agreementforce. Thereafter, the Agreement secretariat shall convene, in consultation with the Convention SecretariatSecretariat of the Convention, ordinary sessions of the Meeting of the Parties at intervals of not more than three years, unless the Meeting of the Parties decides otherwise. Where it is possible to do so, such sessions should be held in conjunction with the ordinary meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention. 3. On the written request of at least one third of the Parties, the The Agreement secretariat shall convene an extraordinary session of the Meeting of the Parties on the written request of at least two thirds of the Parties. 4. The United Nations, its Specialized Agencies, the International Atomic Energy Agency, any State not a Party to the this Agreement, and the secretariats of international other global and regional conventions or agreements concerned inter alia with the conservationconservation of cetaceans, including protection and management, of migratory waterbirds regional or subregional fisheries management organizations with competence for species found temporarily or permanently resident in the Agreement area may be represented by observers in sessions of the Meeting of the Parties. Any other agency or body technically qualified in such the conservation matters or in research on migratory waterbirds of cetaceans may also be represented at sessions of the Meeting of the Parties by observers, unless at least one third of the Parties present object. Once admitted to a session of the Meeting of the Parties, an observer shall continue to be entitled to participate in future sessions unless one third of the Parties object at least thirty days before the start of the session. 5. Only Parties have the right to vote. Each Party shall have one vote, but regional . Regional economic integration organizations which are Parties to this Agreement shallshall exercise, in matters within their competence, exercise their right to vote with a number of votes equal to the number of their Member member States which are Parties to the Agreement. A regional economic integration organization shall not exercise its right to vote if its Member member States exercise theirs, theirs and vice versa. 6. Unless provided otherwise in this Agreement, All decisions of the Meeting of the Parties shall be adopted by consensus orexcept as otherwise provided in Article X of this Agreement. However, if consensus cannot be achievedachieved in respect of matters covered by the annexes to the Agreement, a decision may be adopted by a two-two thirds majority of the Parties present and voting. In the event of a vote, any Party may, within one hundred and fifty days, notify the Depositary in writing of its intention not to apply the said decision. 7. At its first session, the Meeting of the Parties shall: (a) adopt its rules of procedure by consensusprocedure; (b) establish an Agreement secretariat within the Convention Secretariat to perform the secretariat functions listed in Article VIII IV of this Agreement; (c) establish designate in each subregion, within an existing institution, a Co-ordination unit to facilitate implementation of the Technical Committee measures prescribed in Annex 2 to this Agreement; d) elect a Bureau as provided for in Article VII of this AgreementVI; (de) adopt establish a format Scientific Committee, as provided for the reports to be prepared according to in Article V, paragraph 1, subparagraph (c), of this AgreementVII; and (ef) adopt criteria to define emergency situations which require urgent conservation measuresdecide on the format and content of Party reports on the implementation of the Agreement, and determine the modalities as provided for assigning responsibility for action to be takenin Article VIII. 8. At each of its ordinary sessions, the Meeting of the Parties shall: (a) consider actual and potential changes in review scientific assessments of the conservation status of migratory waterbirds cetaceans of the Agreement area and the habitats which are important for to their survival, as well as the factors which may affect themthem unfavourably; (b) review the progress made and any difficulty difficulties encountered in the implementation of this Agreement on the basis of the reports of the Parties and of the Agreement secretariat; c) make recommendations to the Parties as it deems necessary or appropriate and adopt specific actions to improve the effectiveness of this Agreement; (cd) examine and decide upon any proposals to amend, as may be necessary, this Agreement; e) adopt a budget for the next financial period and consider decide upon any matters relating to the financial arrangements for this Agreement; (df) deal with any matter relating to review the arrangements for the Agreement secretariat secretariat, the Co-ordination units and the membership of the Technical Scientific Committee; (eg) adopt a report for communication to the Parties to this Agreement and to the Conference of the Parties of the Convention; and; (fh) determine agree on the provisional time and venue of the next session. 9. At any of its sessions, the Meeting of the Parties may: (a) make recommendations to the Parties as it deems necessary or appropriate; (b) adopt specific actions to improve the effectiveness of this Agreement and, as the case may be, emergency measures as provided for in Article VII, paragraph 4, of this Agreement; (c) consider and decide upon proposals to amend this Agreement; (d) amend the Action Plan in accordance with Article IV, paragraph 3, of this Agreement; (e) establish such subsidiary bodies as it deems necessary to assist in the implementation of this Agreement, in particular for coordination with bodies established under other international treaties, conventions and agreements with overlapping geographic and taxonomic coveragemeeting; and (fi) decide on deal with any other matter relating to the implementation of this Agreement.