News Bulletin
February 2022
Welcome to the first IWC News Bulletin of 2022. I am sure you all share my hope that this year brings a little more joy than we have experienced recently. We continue to monitor the global situation regarding Covid-19, and of course we will continue to respond flexibly and cautiously to any new developments, but as the situation appears now, I am optimistic that we will be able to gather in person in Slovenia in October. After an unprecedented intersessional period of four years, we certainly have a lot to discuss.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank all those whose efforts have maintained the momentum of our work programme during these difficult times. The success of the IWC has always depended on the willingness of so many people to give both their time and their expertise to the Commission. Even greater levels of commitment and generosity were called upon to overcome the many obstacles created by Covid-19 and these efforts are sincerely appreciated.
I would like to make special mention of the Working Group on Operational Effectiveness and Budgetary Sub-Committee who have not been diverted from the difficult tasks set by the Commission to develop proposals for a structurally robust and financially secure IWC into the future. I would also like to thank the Conservation Committee who have maintained a sharp focus, prioritising time-critical programmes including the Bycatch Mitigation Initiative and Conservation Management Plans. Finally, I express huge gratitude to the Scientific Committee who have been our pioneers in the virtual world. As you may remember, the SC was just weeks away from its long-planned annual meeting when the global impact of Covid-19 became clear and the world changed. Their resilience and initiative led to record meeting attendances and increased awareness of their work at an international level. I know this was not easily achieved and I reiterate to all those involved that their hard work is respected and appreciated. This is a message of thanks that I very much hope I will be able to repeat to many of you in person, later in the year.
Andrej Bibič
IWC Chair
Bureau maintains focus on budget reform
and operational effectiveness
The Bureau met on 24th January. Agenda items included updates from the Budgetary Sub-Committee (BSC) and Working Group on Operational Effectiveness (WG-OE).
The BSC is continuing work to correct the budget deficit and bring IWC financial management in-line with international best practice. If we continue on the current path, the budget deficit is predicted to total 𧸘,000 for the 2023-24 period. The BSC has been examining the three basic options to address this:
1) reduce spending
2) increase income
3) combination of options 1 and 2
The BSC will continue to develop proposals and will be collaborating closely with the Bureau to encourage engagement and feedback from all IWC members and observers as part of preparations for IWC68.
On another budgetary matter, the Secretariat reported that the Commission"s Accounts for 2021 will be available shortly, and published via Circular Communication.
Progressing in parallel to financial reforms are proposals from the WG-OE to improve the IWCs governance structure and processes. The Bureau also received an update on this work. The WG-OE has received amendments to the four proposals circulated previously. Revised versions of these documents will be circulated at the end of March.
The WG-OE is also conducting a review of voting rights at the IWC, and taking forward work to develop a new IWC Code of Conduct. A review of voting rights was requested by the Commission at the Virtual Special Meeting last September, following discussions on the unprecedented impact of Covid-19 on payment schedules, arrears and voting status, particularly in developing countries. A new IWC Code of Conduct has been under consideration for some years. At the Bureau meeting this issue was referred to the WG-OE who will prepare a draft Code of Conduct for discussion at IWC68.
The WG-OE reiterated the importance of engagement in these processes. They will be seeking feedback on the documents and, subject to Covid-19, plan to meet in-person this Spring.
Read the Bureau Minutes
https://mailchi.mp/ca00e8f6d7a4/iwc-news-bulletin-february
