The Chairman of the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD), Mr. Miguel Palomino de la Gala, announces the final composition of the Working Group on Enhanced Cooperation.

Dear members of the CSTD and other colleagues,

As a follow up to my e-mail and Note on Composition and Guidelines for the CSTD Working Group on Enhanced Cooperation, which I distributed on 13 February 2013, I am pleased to inform you of the final composition of the Working Group in the attached Note (See attached file: Note on Membership.pdf). I also am happy to report that Mr. Peter Major, Vice-Chair of the CSTD from Hungary, has agreed to serve as Chair of the Working Group.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the designated focal points for each regional and stakeholder group, for their efforts in facilitating consultations on their respective representatives, which was very useful for me in establishing the Working Group, keeping in mind paragraph 21 of the General Assembly resolution 67/195.

There were many expressions of interest from people with substantial relevant expertise, which made selecting the representatives a challenging exercise. It was not possible to include all requests for membership in the Working Group.

The Rules of Procedure of the ECOSOC and its Functional Commissions shall govern the work of the Working Group on Enhanced Cooperation. Discussions should be open and transparent and respect all proposals and opinions. The report of the Working Group will be adopted by consensus.

I intend to have the meetings of the Working Group be open for observers, including Member States regardless of whether or not they are members of the CSTD, and representatives of business, civil society, technical and academic communities as well as other international and intergovernmental organizations. Observer privileges will be in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the ECOSOC and its Functional Commissions.

Now that the Working Group membership and chairmanship have been determined, Mr. Peter Major will follow up shortly regarding preparations for the first meeting of the Working Group.

Sincerely yours,

Miguel Palomino de la Gala
Chairman, the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development