Decision 49/22

Following a discussion, the Executive Committee decided:

1. To approve, on an exceptional basis, funding for one year only for extension of the institutional strengthening projects for the five Pacific Island Countries at an amount pro-rated from the initial level of funding approved at the 36^th Meeting, namely: US $7,666 for Kiribati, US $11,333 for Federated States of Micronesia, US $11,333 for Palau, US $6,833 for the Solomon Islands and US $6,566 for Tonga together with the views expressed by the Executive Committee on the renewal of institutional strengthening projects in Annex V;
2. To urge UNEP to work closely with the countries concerned to facilitate reporting of consumption data as soon as possible and to enable them to meet the annual reporting requirements under the Pacific Island Countries regional strategy (decision 36/27 (c));
3. To request UNEP, in conjunction with the Government of Australia, if relevant, to submit the following no later than the 51^st Meeting:
   1. A comprehensive report on the implementation of the Pacific Island Countries strategy to date covering all the countries concerned; and
   2. An integrated proposal detailing any potential extension of assistance under the Multilateral Fund to all the countries covered by the Pacific Island Countries strategy, including all the institutional strengthening projects, in the light of relevant Executive Committee decisions and guidelines. The proposal should also include other projects that might be submitted under bilateral assistance.