Methods of work for dealing
with the implementation of the
Platform for Action adopted by
the Fourth World Conference
on Women
7. The selection of experts, the composition of the
panels, and the allocation of time to dialogues
should be decided inter-sessionally by the Bureau
of the Commission, taking into consideration the
proposals of the United Nations Secretariat. The
Secretariat should prepare a list of candidates for
the panels based on suggestions from States and
civil society. The Bureau should convene meetings
open to the participation of all interested States to
ensure a broad base of participation.
1. The Commission on the Status of Women adopted
the conclusions regarding its methods of work set
out below.
8. Meetings should be allotted for dialogue with orga-
nizations within the United Nations system and
civil society and among governmental delegations.
Sufficient time should be devoted to intergovernmental dialogue.
2. The Commission considers that its effective-
ness and efficiency could be improved through
innovative methods of work, including inviting
experts to participate in the substantive debate on
selected issues as part of the regular work of the
Commission.
9. The results of dialogues should normally be
reflected in concise, action-oriented agreed conclusions to be transmitted to the Economic and Social
Council by a Commission decision. They should
also contain policy recommendations and identify
coordination issues to be dealt with by the Council.
3. These innovative methods must be understood
as a process that includes not only the sessions of
the Commission but also the organization of work.
Broad-based participation in the preparatory process for each session of the Commission must be
encouraged. The practice of periodically convening
meetings of the Bureau of the Commission open to
the participation of all interested States should be
encouraged and consolidated.
10.
The Commission, in order to strengthen
its capacity to act as a catalyst in support
of mainstreaming a gender perspective in
the work of the United Nations system,
to identify emerging issues, trends and
new approaches affecting the situation of
women or equality between women and
men, and to review and appraise progress
achieved and problems encountered in
implementation of critical areas of concern
in the Platform for Action:
4. The documentation prepared for each item of
debate should be available in all official languages
in sufficient time to ensure active and wide participation in discussions.
5. The practice of inviting experts is expected to deal
effectively with the critical areas of concern established in the Beijing Platform for Action and to contribute to the effective follow-up of the Conference.
The experts should be chosen from the fields of
study addressed under the critical areas of concern,
taking into account equitable geographical distribution and the involvement of non-governmental
organizations.
(a) Should strengthen its cooperation with other rele-
vant bodies of the United Nations system, including
other functional commissions and their respective
secretariats;
6. Panels of experts should be formed. They should
include experts appointed by the SecretaryGeneral, experts working within the United Nations
system, and experts from Governments and from
civil society.
(b) Should monitor progress on the system-wide
medium-term plan for the advancement of women;
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