The seventh session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the
Convention (CRIC 7) will be held in Istanbul, Turkey back to back with the First Special
Session of the Committee on Science and Technology (CST), from 3 to 14 November 2008, at the invitation of the Government of Turkey.

After the official opening and ensuing one 2nd half day regional consultations for Africa,Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Northern Mediterranean and Central Eastern European country Parties, the CST session will commence its work on Wednesday 5 November. The CST will start by considering the costed draft two-year
work programme and the four-year work plan for the CST.

The CST is expected to consider the ways on how to measure progress for strategic
objectives 1, 2 and 3 of The Strategy, as well as to present methodological suggestions
on how to assess the overall implementation of the 10-Year Strategic Plan.

The CRIC starting on Friday 7 November will focus on three methodological blocks,
i.e. presentations and discussions on multi-year programmes of work prepared
for the secretariat, the GM, Joint Work Programme between both organisations,
the CRIC and the CST. Secondly, reporting issues will be tabled to CRIC 7 participants,
in order to elicit additional input for the ongoing work of the secretariat in drafting
new guidelines. Thirdly, presentation and discussion on future format of CRIC sessions
will ensure coherence between reporting guidelines that will form the substantive
basis of discussions during CRIC sessions.

In order to ensure interactive exchanges on methodological issues, a series of panel discussions will allow Parties and Observers to contribute to the substantive outcome of the session.

It is anticipated that following CRIC 7, the Chairman will utilize time in between the
sessions in order to consult with regions on draft decisions for consideration at CRIC 8.