COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

First session Geneva, 23–27 February 2009

provisional agenda and annotations

Note by the Secretary-General*

The first session of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will be held at the United Nations Office at Geneva from 23 to 27 February 2009. The first meeting of the session will be convened on Monday, 23 February, at 10 a.m.

In accordance with rule 6 of the draft provisional rules of procedure, the Secretary-General has prepared the attached provisional agenda for the first session. Annotations to the provisional agenda are also attached.

Pursuant to rule 25 of the draft provisional rules of procedure, the meetings of the Committee shall be held in public, unless otherwise decided by the Committee.

The attention of the Committee is drawn, in particular, to the annotations to items 1, 4 and 5, regarding the election of the officers of the Committee, the draft provisional rules of procedure and methods of work of the Committee.

Provisional agenda

Election of the officers of the Committee

Adoption of the agenda

Induction course

4.Draft provisional rules of procedure

5.Methods of work of the Committee

6.Cooperation with other United Nations bodies, specialized agencies and other competent bodies

7.Future meetings

8.Other matters

Annotations

Item 1. Election of the officers of the Committee

1.Under rule 7 of the draft provisional rules of procedure, the first item on the provisional agenda shall be the adoption of the agenda, except for the election of officers, as and when required under rule 18. Under rule 13 the Committee shall elect from among its members a Chairperson, three Vice‑Chairpersons and a Rapporteur.

Item 2. Adoption of the agenda

2. In accordance with rule 8 of the draft provisional rules of procedure, the Committee may revise the agenda and may, as appropriate, add, defer or delete items.

Item 3. Induction course

3. Under this item the Secretariat will provide an induction course to Committee members regarding the various aspects of the work of the Committee.

Item 4. Draft provisional rules of procedure

4. Under this item the Committee will start discussions on the draft provisional rules of procedure as prepared by the Secretary-General.

Item 5. Methods of work of the Committee

5.Under this item the Committee will start discussions on the organization of its future work.

Item 6. Cooperation with other United Nations bodies, specialized agencies and other competent bodies

6.Under this item the Committee will start discussions on how to establish effective cooperation mechanisms with various relevant bodies with a view to further strengthen and enhance the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities. The Committee will meet with representatives of relevant United Nations bodies, specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations.

Item 7. Future meetings

7.Under this item the Committee will be informed of any developments relating to the schedule of its future meetings.

Item 8. Other matters

8.Under this item the Committee will discuss such other matters relating its work as may be necessary.

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