UPDATE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON IPS RELOCATION.

Abstract

As tasked by SAOs at the April 2015 SAO Executive meeting, the Informal Group on Administrative Matters (The Admin Group) has considered and reviewed a package of amendments to the ACS administrative framework to enable the relocation of IPS. The relocation must take into account a number of factors ranging from all levels of governance, to finances, and day-to-day operations in order for transition to be successful. The work of the Admin Group has resulted in the proposed amendments as found in the attached documents. In addition to the package of amendments already presented to the SAOs, the group has found it necessary to add some additional amendments in order to ensure a clear and consistent framework. The proposed changes are all in red and are found in the following attached documents:  Terms of Reference (ToR)  Staff Rules (SR)  Financial Rules (FR)  Roles and responsibilities of the Arctic Council Secretariat Director  IPS Procedural Guidelines