Bureau of the Conference and the Working Group

The Overarching Policy Strategy, in its paragraph 27, envisages the establishment of a bureau of the Conference in accordance with the rules of procedure. The bureau was fully established at the second session of the Conference and confirmed upon the adoption of the rules of procedure. According to the rule 14 of the Conference rules of procedure, the bureau shall be elected by and from among the representatives of the governmental participants present at each session. These elected governmental participants shall serve as the Bureau of each session of the Conference. These officers shall commence their term at the closure of each session of the Conference and shall serve until the closure of the next Conference session. The secretariat services the meetings of the Bureau.

The Bureau advises the President and the secretariat on the conduct of the business of the Conference and its subsidiary bodies. According to resolution II/6 on the establishment of an Open-ended Working Group, the Bureau of the Conference also serves as the Bureau of the Open-ended Working Group.

Composition of the Bureau in office until the closure of the Fifth session of the Conference

President of the Conference

• Ms. Gertrud Sahler (Germany) 

Vice-Presidents

• Mr. David Kapindula (Zambia)
• Ms. Geeta Menon (India)  
• Mr. Szymon Domagalski (Poland)
• Ms. Valentina Sierra (Uruguay)

Consistent with the multi-sectoral character of SAICM and in accordance with rule 15 of the Conference's rules of procedure, four representatives of non-governmental participants and the chair of the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals participate in Bureau meetings. The following were elected by and from non-governmental participants at the fourth session to represent each of the health, industry, trade union, and public interest groups:

• Mr. Joe DiGangi (International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN))
• Ms. Manal Azzi (International Labour Organization (ILO)), current chair of the IOMC, participates in Bureau meetings as the IOMC representative
• Mr. Rory O'Neill (International Trade Union Confederation)
• Ms. Servet Goren (International Council of Chemical Associations)
• Ms. Susan Wilburn (Health Care Without Harm)

As envisaged in resolution II/2 on regional activities and coordination, the regional focal points will assist the Bureau members of their respective regions, in particular by channeling necessary information and views from the region to them. The Bureau has invited regional focal points to participate in Bureau meetings.

SAICM Regional Focal Points

• Ms. Ana Fernandez Blanco (Argentina for Latin America and the Caribbean)
• Mr. HE Dr. Mohsen Naziri Asl (Iran for Asia-Pacific)
• Mr. Kouame Georges Kouadio (Cote D'Ivoire for Africa)
• Ms. Suzanne Leppinen (Canada for Western Europe and Others)
• Mr. Vladimir Lenev (Russian Federation for Central and Eastern Europe)