REPORT OF THE CCAMLR OBSERVER TO THE INTERSESSIONAL MEETING ON THE FUTURE OF THE INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMMISSION (IWC) (6 to 8 March 2008, London, UK)

The intersessional meeting focused on the organisation and future of the IWC. The meeting identified a range of options for streamlining the working methods and practices of the Commission which were subsequently discussed in the intersessional period prior to the 60th Annual Meeting. As a result of these discussions, the Commission was able to develop consensus documents on both improved practices and a path towards resolution of substantive issues affecting the IWC. The intersessional meeting was therefore of limited direct relevance to the substance of the work done by CCAMLR but the proposed streamlining of the IWC administrative arrangements may be of interest to some CCAMLR members.