Artikel XV

1. In addition to any duties which may be assigned to it by the Ministerial Council, the Secretariat shall perform the following functions for the achievement of the purposes and functions of the Association:
a) assist the Ministerial Council and the Special Committees of the Association in the development and Implementation of Policies and programmes;
b) maintain contact with other sub-regional, regional and international organisations;
c) initiate, organise and conduct studies on integration issues, and in particular, trade, investment and economic and social development issues;
d) collect, store and disseminate information to Member States, Associate Members, and when the Ministerial Council so decides, to other relevant entities;
e) service Meetings of the Ministerial Council and the Special Committees of the Association and take appropriate action on determinations emanating from such meetings;
f) coordinate, within the framework of the work programme of the Association, the activities of donor agencies, international, regional and national institutions;
g) prepare the draft Budget of the Association for examination by the Committee on Budget and Administration every two years to be submitted for the consideration and approval, as appropriate, by the Ministerial Council.
2. In the discharge of its functions, the Secretariat shall enter into cooperation arrangements with, and draw on, the capacities of the existing integration organisations in the region.