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https://www.kjclub.com/jp/board/exc_board_9/view/id/3590784

Financial Statements and Budget: F&A Committee Chair Wulff presented the F&A Committee report on the status of financial contributions (IWC/67/REP/06). He reported on: no inquires made by Finance and Committee members on the financial contributions formula; the 2016-2017 audited accounts, including the expected budget deficit for 2018; and on recommended actions to mitigate the overspending and a technical accounting solution proposed by the Secretariat, including a 30% reduction for SC work and a cut for NGO Observer fees. He highlighted the zero real growth option as a measure to address the deficit, which includes an increase to financial contributions of 2.3% in 2019 and 2.0% in 2020, and requires the SC to adjust its 2019-2020 work programme (IWC/67/FA/27). He also called for nominations for the open seats of related sub-committees.

https://enb.iisd.org/events/67th-meeting-international-whaling-commission-iwc67/summary-report-10-14-september-2018

News Bulletin
Summer 2019

Welcome to what is clearly a very busy time for the IWC.  The Commission is engaged in activities all over the world, and I encourage our members, observers and other interested parties to take some time to read about the wide-ranging progress reported here, including on bycatch, ship strikes, strandings and of course, the Scientific Committee which has recently concluded another gruelling meeting.

Work also continues on the governance, finance and administration of the Commission.  I hope you have read recent Circulars and been following the difficult deliberations and recommendations of the Bureau regarding funding, and the consultation on the Governance Review conducted by Working Group on Operational Effectiveness.  These ongoing discussions aim to shape the long-term future of the Commission, and the widest possible engagement is needed to ensure this work takes into account the views, concerns and priorities of all our stakeholders.  Additional information on these initiatives is provided in this news bulletin and please contact the Secretariat if you have any remaining questions.

I must also note that Japan will formally withdraw from the Convention at the end of this month.  As I said when their withdrawal announcement was made, the Government of Japan has played an active and integral role in both the Commission and the Scientific Committee for many years and their contribution will be greatly missed. I am pleased to hear indications from the Japanese delegation to the Scientific Committee that Japan plan to engage with the IWC as an observer government in the future.  

In international organisations like ours, it is not always easy to reach agreement, but I sincerely hope that we will all continue work on the many topics where there is agreement and common interest, and ensure discussions on the more difficult issues continue to be conducted constructively and respectfully.  

Meeting of the IWC Bureau
 
In April, an extraordinary meeting of the IWC Bureau was held at the Red House in Cambridge.  The  main purpose of the meeting was to discuss the financial position of the Commission, particularly in light of Japan’s announcement that it will leave the IWC in 2019.

The departure of Japan does not alter the budget as set by the Commission in 2018, but does necessitate a recalculation of member contributions.  At its April meeting, the Bureau confirmed that a recalculation of contributions was the default approach as set out in the Rules Of Procedure, and as was followed for other members, both departing and joining the organisation in recent years.   Alternative approaches were discussed and discounted by the Bureau due to their complexity (for example agreeing a different budget at this point in the two year cycle would require extensive intersessional discussions and a postal vote). Whilst acknowledging that any increase in contributions may prove difficult for some countries to absorb, the Bureau’s conclusion and recommendation to the Commission was that existing Rules of Procedure should be followed.
 
In a subsequent Circular Communication, the position was explained and all member governments and observers were encouraged to read the full report of the meeting and engage in discussions on the long-term financial arrangements and governance of the organisation.

At its meeting in September 2018, the Commission took a difficult decision to cut the Scientific Committee budget by 28%.  This reduced, but did not fully address, a 2019-20 budgetary shortfall.  Therefore a deficit budget was agreed for this period.  Work to develop a long-term solution was initiated, led by the Budgetary Sub-Committee, working closely with the Bureau and the Working Group on Operational Effectiveness, the group charged with evaluation and implementation of Governance Review reforms (see below).  This work is ongoing.

https://mailchi.mp/4a6fc4a33ad3/iwc-news-bulletin-summer-2019

News Bulletin
February 2022

Welcome to the first IWC News Bulletin of 2022.  I am sure you all share my hope that this year brings a little more joy than we have experienced recently.  We continue to monitor the global situation regarding Covid-19, and of course we will continue to respond flexibly and cautiously to any new developments, but as the situation appears now, I am optimistic that we will be able to gather in person in Slovenia in October.  After an unprecedented intersessional period of four years, we certainly have a lot to discuss.  

I wish to take this opportunity to thank all those whose efforts have maintained the momentum of our work programme during these difficult times.  The success of the IWC has always depended on the willingness of so many people to give both their time and their expertise to the Commission.  Even greater levels of commitment and generosity were called upon to overcome the many obstacles created by Covid-19 and these efforts are sincerely appreciated.

I would like to make special mention of the Working Group on Operational Effectiveness and Budgetary Sub-Committee who have not been diverted from the difficult tasks set by the Commission to develop proposals for a structurally robust and financially secure IWC into the future.  I would also like to thank the Conservation Committee who have maintained a sharp focus, prioritising time-critical programmes including the Bycatch Mitigation Initiative and Conservation Management Plans.  Finally, I express huge gratitude to the Scientific Committee who have been our pioneers in the virtual world.  As you may remember, the SC was just weeks away from its long-planned annual meeting when the global impact of Covid-19 became clear and the world changed.  Their resilience and initiative led to record meeting attendances and increased awareness of their work at an international level.  I know this was not easily achieved and I reiterate to all those involved that their hard work is respected and appreciated.  This is a message  of thanks that  I very much hope I will be able to repeat to many of you in person, later in the year.     
Andrej Bibič

IWC Chair
 
Bureau maintains focus on budget reform
and operational effectiveness

The Bureau met on 24th January.  Agenda items included updates from the Budgetary Sub-Committee (BSC) and Working Group on Operational Effectiveness (WG-OE).

The BSC is continuing work to correct the budget deficit and bring IWC financial management in-line with international best practice.  If we continue on the current path, the budget deficit is predicted to total £352,000 for the 2023-24 period. The BSC has been examining the three basic options to address this:

1) reduce spending
2) increase income
3) combination of options 1 and 2

The BSC will continue to develop proposals and will be collaborating closely with the Bureau to encourage engagement and feedback from all IWC members and observers as part of preparations for IWC68.  

On another budgetary matter, the Secretariat reported that the Commission’s Accounts for 2021 will be available shortly, and published via Circular Communication.   

Progressing in parallel to financial reforms are proposals from the WG-OE to improve the IWC’s governance structure and processes. The Bureau also received an update on this work.  The WG-OE has received amendments to the four proposals circulated previously.  Revised versions of these documents will be circulated at the end of March.

The WG-OE is also conducting a review of voting rights at the IWC, and taking forward work to develop a new IWC Code of Conduct.  A review of voting rights was requested by the Commission at the Virtual Special Meeting last September, following discussions on the unprecedented impact of Covid-19 on payment schedules, arrears and voting status, particularly in developing countries.  A new IWC Code of Conduct has been under consideration for some years. At the Bureau meeting this issue was referred to the WG-OE who will prepare a draft Code of Conduct for discussion at IWC68.

The WG-OE reiterated the importance of engagement in these processes.  They will be seeking feedback on the documents and, subject to Covid-19, plan to meet in-person this Spring.
 
Read the Bureau Minutes

https://mailchi.mp/ca00e8f6d7a4/iwc-news-bulletin-february

13 October 2022
IWC68 opens with an agenda seeking to address a wide range of threats to whales and dolphins

The IWC is facing a challenging situation whereby only 75 per cent of the Contracting Governments had paid their dues by June 2022, with 27 in arrears with payment of contributions and a balance of more than £877,000 outstanding. The non-payment of fees has been exacerbated by the global pandemic and the first order of business will be to consider a proposal to restore voting rights to those Contracting Governments that have not paid their fees.

The agenda also includes a range of important proposals related to budgetary and governance reform. Governments will discuss changes to budget management processes, the Commission structure and rules of procedure as well as strategic principles for the IWC. EIA supports measures to improve the structure and financial sustainability of the IWC so that it can continue its important work on global conservation of cetaceans (the collective term for whales, dolphins and porpoises).

https://eia-international.org/news/iwc68-opens-with-an-agenda-seeking-to-address-a-wide-range-of-threats-to-whales-and-dolphins/

2018年、19年、20年、21年の決算短信はこちらを再現しています。この会期中に関連する2022年の部分は、2022年の会計に含まれます。2022年の決算は、2023年初めにIWCのウェブサイトで公開されます。
IWCの予算は常に重要な議題ですが、2022年10月に開催される次回会合では、IWC予算は特に重要な議題となります。特に重要である収支均衡を達成し、過去に見られた赤字予算を廃止する方法を決定する必要があります。近年見られる赤字予算の慣行をやめ、均衡のとれた予算を達成する方法を決定する必要があるからです。

The financial statements for 2018, 19, 20 and 21 are reproduced below. The portion of 2022 relevant to this intersessional period will be included in the 2022 accounts, published on the IWC website at the beginning of 2023.
The IWC budget is always a key agenda item but,at its next meeting in October 2022, this will be particularly important as the Commission will need
to decide how to achieve a balanced budget and end the practice of deficit budgets seen in recent years.

https://iwc.int/commission/iwcfinancing

IWC Plenary: Day Five
21 Oct 2022

The final day of the five-day plenary focused on budgetary and administrative issues.  The Commission acknowledged difficult financial circumstances and adopted a Budget Reform Strategy introducing best practices for financial management including balanced budgets, fully costed workplans and longer-term planning. A balanced budget was adopted for the next biennium.  The Commission welcomed voluntary contributions of £42,500 from non-governmental organisations.  A voluntary contribution from Belgium was also announced for £85,000.

The Commission elected Amadou Diallo of Guinea as Chair for the next biennium, particularly welcoming the first IWC Chair from an African country. Nick Gales of Australia, a long-standing member of both the Commission and Scientific Commission, was elected as Vice-chair.  The Commission paid tribute to Andrej Bibic of Slovenia, the outgoing Chair and host of the meeting who has served an unprecedented four year term due to the postponement of meetings, and steered the IWC through the many challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Commission also elected a new Bureau, the administrative body that oversees the work of the Commission during the intersessional period.  Standing members are the Chair, Vice-chair and Chair of the Finance and Administration Committee (USA).  The Commission elected new member Belgium and re-elected Argentina, Ghana and St Lucia on varying terms of office.

The Commission welcomed offers from Peru to host the next IWC meeting in 2024 and from Antigua and Barbuda to host the Scientific Committee meeting in 2024.

https://iwc.int/resources/media-resources/news/iwc-plenary-day-five