Organization of Work for the Eleventh Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (COP11) in a Hybrid Meeting Format
Organization of work in relation to quorums at COP11 - approved by the extended Bureau
Organizational information in relation to proxy voting
I. BACKGROUND
The preparation of a proposal for COP11 in hybrid format had been requested by the extended Bureau to the Conference of the Parties to UNTOC COP. The proposal had been shared with the extended Bureau and was approved by means of silence procedure with the deadline of 22 July 2022.
II. HYBRID MEETING FORMAT
A. In-person Participation and Room Size/seats available
Following past practice, the Plenary Hall of the M-Building will be used for the Plenary meetings of COP11. Based on the current guidance for the organization of in-person meetings at the Vienna International Centre (VIC), the maximum seating capacity in the respective meeting rooms must not be exceeded. It is assumed that the Plenary Hall will provide sufficient space for all in-person participants of COP11. If other measures, in particular distancing requirements, would be introduced again during the coming months, the Secretariat would communicate the maximum number of participants per delegation to the registered delegations in order to comply with those measures.
Delegates who are physically present at the meetings of COP11 would be requested to adhere to any additionally required health and safety measures, which would be communicated before the meetings based on the situation at the given time (e.g. wearing of masks or similar).
B. Online/remote Participation
Next to in-person participation, the option of online/remote participation will be made available. In accordance with rules 34 and 35 of the Rules of Procedure of the Conference, interpretation into the six official and working languages of the Conference would be provided through a remote simultaneous interpretation (RSI) platform, which would enable the remote participation.
It is forecast that the available interpretation platform should allow for links for all remote participants per delegation. Should a limitation be required due to the overall registration numbers, the Secretariat would communicate this limitation in due course (for example, a maximum of 10 remote links per Member State and 5 remote links per IGO and NGO delegation).
C. Meeting Times
The meeting times of COP11 would be 3 hours, as per past practice from 10 AM to 1 PM and 3 to 6 PM. Within each meeting, 30 minutes speaking time for remote participants can be provided. In addition, the possibility of pre-recorded video statements will be provided.
D. Informal Consultations on Conference Resolutions/decisions
Draft resolutions should be submitted as early as possible. In accordance with decision 6/3, and as communicated during the 7th meeting of the extended Bureau, the firm deadline for the submission of draft resolutions for consideration at the eleventh session of the Conference is Monday, 3 October 2022.
Also in line with decision 6/3, informal pre-session consultations without interpretation will be held on Friday, 14 October 2022.
Informal consultations, including the informal pre-session consultations, would be held via MS Teams to enable remote participation but without interpretation.
E. Committee of the Whole
The Conference of the Parties to UNTOC, in its decision 5/2, established a Committee of the Whole to, inter alia, consider specific items of the agenda, as requested by the Conference, and submit its comments and recommendations, including draft resolutions and draft decisions, to the Conference for consideration.
The Conference will, in line with past practice, suspend the plenary sessions in order to convene the Committee of the Whole. This means that the COW would also enable remote participation through the RSI platform.
F. Opening Session
Time will be allowed for opening statements by the outgoing President (who also presides over the election of the President and other Bureau members of the following session), the incoming President, and the Executive Director of UNODC (and any high-level speakers such as Head of State, as applicable). Those statements will be made from the podium or through a remote speaker’s link, as applicable. In addition, opening statements may be made by the Chairs of Regional Groups.
G. Statements
As per past practice, speakers will be requested to adhere to a maximum speaking time: three minutes will be allotted to all speakers, including high-level representatives; and five minutes will be allotted to the Chair of each of the regional groups. Statements made under the general debate that are shared with the Secretariat, including longer/full versions, will be uploaded on the website of the Conference (unless the delegation informs the secretariat that it does not wish to have its statement posted online). Statements made under other agenda items could be uploaded on the website upon request.
Furthermore, the possibility of pre-recorded video statements will be provided.
H. Side Events
Side events will be held in a hybrid format.
I. Webcast
The plenary meetings of the Conference will be webcast as per past practice.
J. Exhibitions
The feasibility of holding exhibitions at the VIC premises during COP11 will be assessed and communicated in due course.