Briefwisseling tussen de regering van het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden en de Voedsel- en Landbouworganisatie van de Verenigde Naties (FAO) houdende een verdrag betreffende de “Netherlands Conference on Water for Food and Ecosystems: Make it Happen!” te Den Haag van 31 januari tot 5 februari 2005

Designate the Secretary of the Conference.

Make available, if necessary, an assistant secretary, a conference officer, an administrative officer and conference secretariat staff.

Provide documents for the Conference.

Provide any special material or supplies required for the conduct of the Conference, including transport up to and return from the point of entry into the host country, it being understood that any material or supplies provided remain the property of FAO.

Issue and distribute a report of the Conference after its conclusion.

The Government will exercise all reasonable care to ensure security on the premises in which the Conference takes place and to ensure the safety of the officials of FAO and participants concerned while on such premises. The Government will take whatever steps may be reasonably required in the circumstances to ensure such security and such safety, including such supervision of the premises as may be warranted.

The Government recognizes that the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the Specialized Agencies of 21 November 1947 (hereinafter referred to as ``the Convention") will be applicable to the Conference. Accordingly, representatives of Governments and officials of FAO performing official functions in connection with the Conference will enjoy the privileges and immunities provided by Articles V and VI of the Convention. FAO declares that participants from organizations listed in Annex B are experts on mission within the meaning of Annex II and VII to the Convention, and consequently it is agreed that they will enjoy the privileges and immunities provided by those Annexes.

Without prejudice to the provisions of the Convention, all persons performing functions in connection with the Conference shall enjoy immunity from legal process in respect of words spoken or written in connection with their functions during the Conference.

Grant visas and all necessary facilities to delegates, observers and consultants attending the Conference, provided that the general conditions governing the granting of visas are fulfilled.

The Government will deal with any action, claim, or other demand against FAO or its personnel arising out of:
(i) injury to person or damage to property in the premises provided for the Conference;
(ii) injury to person or damage to property incurred in using the transportation provided by the Government for the Conference;
(iii) the employment by the Government of temporary personnel for the Government. The Government will hold harmless FAO and its personnel in respect of any such action, claim or demand, unless these damages were caused by gross negligence or intentionally caused by personnel of FAO.

Without prejudice to their privileges and immunities, it is the duty of all participants enjoying privileges and immunities to respect the laws and regulations of the Netherlands. They also have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs of the Netherlands.

Any dispute concerning the interpretation or implementation of this Agreement, except for a dispute subject to the appropriate provisions of the Convention or of any other applicable agreement, will, unless the parties otherwise agree, be submitted to a tribunal of three arbitrators, one of whom will be appointed by the Director-General of FAO, one by the Government, and the third, who will be the chairman, by the other two arbitrators. If either party does not appoint an arbitrator within three months of the other party having notified the name of its arbitrator, or if the first two arbitrators do not within three months of the appointment or nomination of the second one of them appoint the chairman, then such arbitrator will be nominated by the President of the International Court of Justice at the request of either party to the dispute. Except as otherwise agreed by the parties, the tribunal shall adopt its own rules of procedure, provide for reimbursement of its members and the distribution of expenses between the parties, and take all decisions by a two-thirds majority. lts decisions on all questions of procedure and substancè shall be formal and, even if rendered in default of one of the parties, be binding on both of them.

Nominate a Liaison Officer who will be responsible for the coordination of local facilities and arrangements for the Conference.

Bear the cost of simultaneous interpretation.

Make available local stenographers and typists, related assistance and services required for the conduct of the Conference.

Bear all necessary cost of the staff provided, including salaries, overtime and subsistence allowances, if required, and travel to and from the Session.

One meeting room with seating and table space for 350 persons and fully equipped for simultaneous interpretation (see attached standards).

Computers equipped with Word and connected to laser printers, internet and e-mail facilities, photocopiers and other equipment as required.

Transport to the meeting site and return to FAO of any equipment not available in the country, should the Host Government request FAO' s assistance in supplying it.

Office supplies, stationery and paper as required.

Facilities for the local reproduction of documents needed for the Conference.

Telephone, telefax and postal services within the host country, in connection with the work of the Conference, free of charge.

First-aid facilities for delegates, observers and staff.

Provide transport within the host country for delegates, observers and staff as required for the conduct of the Conference. This may also include transport from airport to hotel and hotel to meeting site depending upon local circumstances.

Provide or pay the cost of transport within the host country of all material and supplies provided by FAO (see paragraphs 3 and 4). Where transport is by air this obligation will start from the international airport where the goods arrive.