ARTICLE 8
SECRETARIAT

1. A secretariat is hereby established.

2. The functions of the secretariat shall be:
   1. To make arrangements for sessions of the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies established under the Convention and to provide them with services as required;

   2. To compile and transmit reports submitted to it;

   3. To facilitate assistance to the Parties, particularly developing country Parties, on request, in the compilation and communication of information required in accordance with the provisions of the Convention;

   4. To prepare reports on its activities and present them to the Conference of the Parties;

   5. To ensure the necessary coordination with the secretariats of other relevant international bodies;

   6. To enter, under the overall guidance of the Conference of the Parties, into such administrative and contractual arrangements as may be required for the effective discharge of its functions; and

   7. To perform the other secretariat functions specified in the Convention and in any of its protocols and such other functions as may be determined by the Conference of the Parties.

3. The Conference of the Parties, at its first session, shall designate a permanent secretariat and make arrangements for its functioning.