The present preliminary assessment work has taken account of the main lessons learnt from similar exercises carried out in the context of earlier sessions of the COP and the CRIC.

Noting that the review of dependency allowances carried out by the Commission reflected relevant changes in tax abatement and social legislation at the seven headquarters duty stations since 1998,

It did so once the concerns it had expressed had largely been taken into account by the country that prepared the original text, and I should like to thank that delegation for the flexibility it demonstrated.

This framework has paid particular attention to (a) the differing capacities of central and provincial governments (b) linkages with the still developing justice sector and (c) cooperation with neighbouring countries.

The DPI NGO organizers of the Conference took into account the reforms that are under way to enhance the participation of civil society partners, in keeping with the recommendations of the High level Panel on United Nations Civil Society Relations.

The Amended Protocol II (APII) of the CCW has fully considered the above mentioned factors and adopted appropriate, rational and effective provisions on MOTAPM (referring to Article 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the APII).