ARRANGEMENTS FOR INTERGOVERNMENTAL MEETINGS

Japan recognizes that successful COP6 is a prerequisite for the entry into force of the Protocol no later than 2002. To make COP6 successful, we, senior officials, should advance technical deliberations on major components of the Protocol as far as possible by COP6. Ministers cannot handle everything at COP6, so we have to try our best to leave fewest possible unresolved issues for them.
We should make full use of the two ministerial meetings in June and October in order to assess progress in deliberations and to provide political guidance toward COP6. Ministerial involvement in the process is crucial to strengthen political momentum as well as to give guidance to senior officials.
Another subsidiary body meeting is scheduled for September as well as other relevant meetings, where technical deliberations will be conducted. Japan has made a voluntary contribution of over US $ 500,000 and the resources are being used to support some of those additional meetings and/or the participation of least developed country delegates in SBs and COP6. Japan proposes that when we decide to hold additional meetings, we should take into full account the implication of the tight schedule leading up to COP6. Even if more meetings are to be added, their dates and venues should be so decided as to minimize logistical complications through, for example, holding them back to back at the same venue.
At COP6, the high level segment will be the most important opportunity for ministerial involvement. National statements shouldn't take too much time. Rather, ministers should be given sufficient time to resolve political issues at the last stage.

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