2 February 1993

2nd plenary meeting

Permanent headquarters of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia

The Economic and Social Council,

Referring to the request submitted by the Government of Lebanon regarding the transfer and hosting of the permanent headquarters of the Commission in Beirut,

Referring also to the memorandum of the Government of Iraq, containing a request that the staff of the Commission return to Baghdad by 31 December 1992, failing which the Government would take back the present buildings, but would be prepared to provide other buildings for the same purpose,

Referring to the request submitted by the Government of Jordan regarding the transfer and hosting of the permanent headquarters of the Commission in Amman,

Referring to the note by the Executive Secretary concerning the permanent headquarters of the Commission,

Taking into consideration the need to provide stability for the secretariat of the Commission, which is vital for the performance of the tasks entrusted to it,

1. Requests the Executive Secretary of the Commission to take the necessary measures to study the requests submitted by the Government of Lebanon and the Government of Jordan, as well as any other request that may be received from any State member of the Commission regarding the transfer and hosting of the permanent headquarters of the Commission, and also requests the Executive Secretary to submit to the Commission at its special session a detailed report on the contacts he makes with regard to the Commission's permanent headquarters, containing an appraisal of the offers made in that respect;

2. Decides that a special session of the Commission shall be held in Beirut within one year of the date of the adoption of the present resolution to discuss the question of the permanent headquarters of the Commission;

3. Expresses its appreciation to the Government of Lebanon for its offer to act as host for the special session of the Commission and for being prepared to meet the expenses involved;

4. Expresses its thanks to the Government of Iraq, as the present host of the Commission, for the facilities it has provided and is providing to the Commission, and appeals to that Government to consult with the Executive Secretary of the Commission before taking any measures related to buildings allocated for the permanent headquarters of the Commission in Baghdad in the light of the agreement concluded between the United Nations and the Republic of Iraq on the headquarters of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, signed in Baghdad on 13 June 1979;

5. Expresses its thanks to the Government of Jordan for hosting the Commission on a temporary basis since August 1991 and for providing it with all the necessary facilities.