Notification to the Parties

CONCERNING:

Thirteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties

1. In accordance with Article XI, paragraph 4, of the Convention, the Conference of the Parties, at its 12th meeting, to be held in Santiago (Chile), from 3 to 15 November 2002, may decide on the venue of the 13th meeting, which is expected to be held during the first half of 2005. Any Government wishing to host the 13th meeting should announce its offer formally at the Santiago meeting through an official representative duly authorized to do so.

2. If several States offer to host the 13th meeting, the Conference of the Parties will choose the host country by a secret ballot vote.

3. The Secretariat invites Parties that might be interested in hosting the 13th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to indicate this to the Secretariat. Following receipt of the expressions of interest, the Secretariat will provide copies of the Memorandum of Understanding that should be signed by the host country and the Secretariat and a copy of the provisional Statement of Requirements, which is an integral part of the Memorandum of Understanding.