Artikel IX

A. 1. The Assembly is the supreme organ of the Agency.
2. The Assembly may discuss any matter within the scope of this Statute or relating to the powers and functions of any organ provided for in this Statute.
3. On any such matter the Assembly may: a) take decisions and make recommendations to any such organ; and
b) make recommendations to the Members of the Agency, upon their request.
a) take decisions and make recommendations to any such organ; and
b) make recommendations to the Members of the Agency, upon their request.
4. Furthermore, the Assembly shall have the authority to propose matters for consideration by the Council and request from the Council and the Secretariat reports on any matter relating to the functioning of the Agency.
B. The Assembly shall be composed of all Members of the Agency. The Assembly shall meet in regular sessions which shall be held annually unless it decides otherwise.
C. The Assembly includes one representative of each Member. Representatives may be accompanied by alternates and advisors. The costs of a delegation’s participation shall be borne by the respective Member.
D. Sessions of the Assembly shall take place at the seat of the Agency, unless the Assembly decides otherwise.
E. At the beginning of each regular session, the Assembly shall elect a President and such other officials as may be required, taking into account equitable geographic representation. They shall hold office until a new President and other officials are elected at the next regular session. The Assembly shall adopt its rules of procedure in conformity with this Statute.
F. Subject to Article VI paragraph C, each Member of the Agency shall have one vote in the Assembly. The Assembly shall take decisions on questions of procedure by a simple majority of the Members present and voting. Decisions on matters of substance shall be taken by consensus of the Members present. If no consensus can be reached, consensus shall be considered achieved if no more than 2 Members object, unless the Statute provides otherwise. When the issue arises as to whether the question is one of substance or not, that question shall be treated as a matter of substance unless the Assembly by consensus of the Members present decides otherwise, which, if no consensus can be reached, shall be considered achieved if no more than 2 Members object. A majority of the Members of the Agency shall constitute a quorum for the Assembly.
G. The Assembly shall, by consensus of the Members present:
1. elect the members of the Council;
2. adopt at its regular sessions the budget and the work programme of the Agency, submitted by the Council, and have the authority to decide on amendments of the budget and the work programme of the Agency;
3. take decisions relating to the supervision of the financial policies of the Agency, the financial rules and other financial matters and elect the auditor;
4. approve amendments to this Statute;
5. decide on the establishment of subsidiary bodies and approve their terms of reference; and
6. decide on permission to vote in accordance with Article XVII paragraph A.
H. The Assembly shall by consensus of the Members present, which if no consensus can be reached shall be considered achieved if no more than 2 Members object:
1. decide, if necessary, on applications for membership;
2. approve the rules of procedure of the Assembly and of the Council, which shall be submitted by the latter;
3. adopt the annual report as well as other reports;
4. approve the conclusion of agreements on any questions, matters or issues within the scope of this Statute; and
5. decide in case of disagreement between its Members on additional projects in accordance with Article V paragraph B.
I. The Assembly shall designate the seat of the Agency and the Director-General of the Secretariat (hereinafter referred to as “Director-General“) by consensus of the Members present, or, if no consensus can be reached, by a majority vote of two thirds of the Members present and voting.
J. The Assembly shall consider and approve as appropriate at its first session any decisions, draft agreements, provisions and guidelines developed by the Preparatory Commission in accordance with the voting procedures for the respective issue as outlined in Article IX paragraphs F to I.