U.N., Preparatory Commission Conclude Agreement to Regulate TiesAn Agreement to Regulate the Relationship between the United Nations and the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Organization (CTBTO) was signed here Friday by the commission's executive secretary, Wolfgang Hoffman, and the U.N. Secretary-General, Kofi Annan.This is the first relationship agreement which the United Nations has concluded with a preparatory commission, or organization preparing for the establishment of another international organization, which, in the case of the Preparatory Commission, is the future CTBTO. It is also the first relationship agreement the United Nations has concluded with an autonomous international organization responsible for verification activities since the conclusion of the relationship agreement between the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency in 1957. Although the Preparatory Commission is not part of the United Nations system, the conclusion of this agreement brings the Preparatory Commission into formal working relationship with the United Nations and provide a framework for cooperation between the two organizations. This cooperation will facilitate the Commission's task of carrying out the necessary preparations for the effective implementation of the CTBTO. The agreement thus represents an important milestone for the Commission's work. In terms of the agreement, the two organizations agree to cooperate closely and to consult and to maintain a close working relationship on matters of mutual interest and concern. As is customary in relationship agreements concluded between international organizations, the agreement provides for reciprocal representation of the executive heads of each organization or their representatives at meetings convened by the other organization. Each organization may propose agenda items for the consideration of the other and exchange information, publications and documents of mutual interest. The Commission also undertakes to keep the United Nations informed of its activities. The agreement will enter into force upon its approval by the Preparatory Commission and the U.N. General Assembly. The Preparatory Commission has approved the agreement during its eleventh session held on May 2-5 and it is expected that the General Assembly will consider the issue during the present session, which is to end in September. |
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