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Adopted by the Intergovernmental Conference of the States Parties at its first session (2003).

Rule 1 – Functions of the Intergovernmental Conference of the States Parties

In accordance with Articles XIII, XIV, XV and XXIII of the Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education (hereinafter referred to as the “Convention”), the Intergovernmental Conference of the States Parties (hereinafter referred to as the “Conference”) shall have the following functions:

(a) promote the application of the Convention and oversee its implementation by adopting recommendations, declarations, models of good practices, or any relevant subsidiary text at the global or interregional level; 

(b) adopt operational guidelines for the States Parties to the Convention, in consultation with the regional recognition conventions committees; 

(c) support the follow-up of the activities relating to monitoring by and reporting to UNESCO’s governing bodies with regard to the implementation of the Convention; 

(d) cooperate with the regional recognition conventions committees under the auspices of UNESCO; 

(e) ensure that there is the necessary information exchange between the Conference and the regional recognition conventions committees; 

(f) examine for adoption the draft amendments to the Convention in accordance with the procedure set out for this purpose in the Convention.

Rule 2 – States Parties to the Convention 

The representatives of all States Parties to the Convention may participate, with the right to vote, in the work of the Conference.

Rule 3 – Observers

3.1 The representatives of Member States of UNESCO not States Parties to the Convention, of Associate Members and of the permanent observer missions to UNESCO may participate in the work of the Conference as observers, without the right to vote and subject to Rule 16.3.

3.2 The heads of the regional recognition conventions committees may participate in the work of the Conference as observers, without the right to vote and subject to Rule 16.3.

3.3 Representatives of the United Nations and organizations of the United Nations system and other intergovernmental organizations that have concluded mutual representation agreements with UNESCO may participate in the work of the Conference as observers, without the right to vote and subject to Rule 16.3.

3.4 Representatives of relevant international and regional organizations, as well as representatives of governmental and non-governmental organizations active in the fields mentioned in Article XII.3 of the Convention, and elected student representatives in higher education institutions, invited by the Director-General on the decision of the Bureau in consultation with the Secretariat, may participate in the work of the Conference as observers, without the right to vote and subject to Rule 16.3.

Rule 4 – Ordinary and extraordinary sessions

4.1 The Conference shall meet at least every two years in ordinary session in accordance with Article XV, paragraph 5, of the Convention.

4.2 The Conference shall meet in extraordinary sessions if it so decides or at the request, made to the Bureau, of at least one third of the States Parties, in accordance with Article XV, paragraph 5, of the Convention.

Rule 5 – Date and place

5.1  The Conference shall determine at each session, in consultation with the Director-General, the date and place of the next session. The Bureau may, if necessary, modify the date, in consultation with the Director-General. The Director-General shall communicate such date to all Parties and observers.

5.2 Unless the date has been decided by the Conference, the Bureau, in consultation with the Director-General shall determine the date of the extraordinary session. The Director-General shall communicate such date to all State Parties and observers.

5.3 Ordinary and extraordinary sessions shall be held at the Headquarters of UNESCO, unless the Conference decides to meet elsewhere.

Rule 6 – Online sessions

6.1 The Conference may hold online sessions only during periods of emergency or in exceptional circumstances rendering in-person meetings impracticable. 

6.2 At an ordinary or extraordinary session, the Conference may decide to hold an online session by a simple majority of States Parties present and voting. 

6.3 Should at least one third of the States Parties propose the holding of an online session while the Conference is not in session, the Director-General shall consult all the States Parties by correspondence. The Conference shall hold an online session, unless one third of the States Parties to the Convention disagrees to the proposal.

6.4 Elections by secret ballot held pursuant to the present Rules in the course of an online session shall be conducted in person. The Secretariat shall make the necessary arrangements therefore, including the place and time of the election, which shall be notified to States Parties in advance of the ballot. Other voting held pursuant to the present Rules shall preferably be conducted in person.

Rule 7 – Provisional agenda

7.1 The provisional agenda of the session shall be prepared by the Bureau, in consultation with the Director-General.

7.2 The provisional agenda of an ordinary session shall include:

(a) any question required by the Convention and the present Rules of Procedure;

(b) any question the inclusion of which has been decided by the Conference at a previous session;

(c) any question proposed by the States Parties to the Convention;

(d) any question proposed by the Director-General. 

7.3 The provisional agenda of an extraordinary session shall only include those questions for which the session has been convened.

7.4 The Secretariat shall circulate to the States Parties and observers the provisional agenda at least 60 days before the opening of an ordinary session of the Conference and as soon as possible in the case of an extraordinary session.

Rule 8 – Adoption of the agenda

The Conference shall adopt its agenda at the beginning of each session.

Rule 9 – Amendments, deletions and new items

The Conference may amend, delete or add new items to the agenda adopted if so decided by a two-thirds majority of the States Parties present and voting.

Rule 10 – Bureau

10.1 The Bureau shall consist of the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairpersons and the Rapporteur. 

10.2 The Bureau shall coordinate the work of the Conference and fix the order of business of the session. It shall also assist the Chairperson in carrying out her or his functions.

10.3 The Bureau, convened at the request of its Chairperson, shall meet as frequently as deemed necessary. The Bureau may, if the Chairperson deems it appropriate, be consulted by correspondence.

10.4 The Bureau may, at the request of the Conference consult representatives of the bureaus of the regional recognition conventions committees or of international organizations, as observers, on agenda items.

Rule 11 – Election of officers

11.1 The Conference shall elect the Chairperson, up to six Vice-Chairpersons and the Rapporteur at the opening of each ordinary session in conformity with the principle of equitable geographical representation.

11.2 The term of office of the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairpersons and the Rapporteur will run from the opening of the ordinary session of the Conference in which they are elected until a new Bureau is elected at the next ordinary session.

11.3 The Chairperson, the Vice-Chairpersons and the Rapporteur shall not be eligible for immediate re-election after completing two consecutive terms.

Rule 12 – Powers and duties of the Chairperson

12.1 In addition to exercising the powers and duties which are conferred upon her or him elsewhere by the present Rules of Procedure, the Chairperson shall open and close each plenary meeting of the Conference. She or he shall direct the discussions, ensure observance of the present Rules of Procedure, accord the right to speak, put questions to the vote and announce decisions. She or he shall rule on points of order and, subject to the present Rules of Procedure, shall control the proceedings and maintain order. She or he shall not vote, but may instruct another member of her or his delegation to vote in her or his place. 

12.2 Should the Chairperson be absent during a meeting, or part thereof, her or his powers and duties shall be exercised by one of the Vice-Chairpersons, selected according to the English alphabetical order of the States members of the Bureau commencing with the country of the Chairperson. A Vice-Chairperson acting as Chairperson shall have the same powers and duties as the Chairperson.

Rule 13 – Quorum

13.1 A quorum shall consist of a majority of the States Parties to the Convention referred to in Rule 2 and represented at the Conference.

13.2 The Conference shall not decide on any matter unless a quorum is present.

Rule 14 – Public nature of meetings

14.1 Meetings of the Conference shall be held in public, unless decided otherwise by the Conference.

14.2 When, in exceptional circumstances, the Conference decides to hold a private meeting, it shall determine which participants, in addition to States Parties, may be present. Any decision taken by the Conference at a private meeting shall be announced at a subsequent public meeting.

Rule 15 – Subsidiary bodies

15.1 The Conference may establish such subsidiary bodies, including working groups, as it deems necessary for the performance of its functions.

15.2 The Conference shall define the composition and the terms of reference (including mandate and duration of office) and, if necessary, the quorum of such subsidiary bodies at the time of their establishment.

15.3 Each subsidiary body shall elect its Chairperson.

15.4 In appointing members of subsidiary bodies, due regard shall be given to principle of equitable geographical representation.

Rule 16 – Order and time limit of speeches

16.1 The Chairperson shall call upon speakers in the order in which they signify their wish to speak.

16.2 For the convenience of the discussion, the Chairperson may limit the time allowed to each speaker.

16.3 The consent of the Chairperson must be obtained whenever an observer wishes to address the Conference.

Rule 17 – Draft resolutions and amendments

17.1 Draft resolutions and amendments may be proposed by the States Parties and shall be transmitted in writing to the Secretariat of the Conference, which shall circulate them to all participants.

17.2 As a general rule, no draft resolution or amendment shall be discussed or put to the vote unless it has been circulated reasonably in advance to all participants of the Conference.

Rule 18 – Points of order

18.1 During the discussion of any matter, a State Party may rise to a point of order and the point of order shall be immediately ruled upon by the Chairperson.

18.2 A State Party may appeal against the ruling of the Chairperson. The appeal shall be put to the vote immediately, and the Chairperson’s ruling shall stand unless overruled by a majority of the States Parties present and voting.

Rule 19 – Procedural motions

During the discussion of any matter, a State Party may propose a procedural motion: suspension or adjournment of the meeting, adjournment of the debate or closure of the debate.

Rule 20 – Suspension or adjournment of the meeting

During the discussion of any matter, a State Party may move the suspension or the adjournment of the meeting. Such motions shall not be debated but shall be immediately put to the vote.

Rule 21 – Adjournment of the debate

During the discussion of any matter, a State Party may move the adjournment of the debate on the item under discussion. On moving the adjournment, the State Party shall indicate whether it moves the adjournment sine die or to a particular time which it shall specify. In addition to the proposer of the motion, one speaker may speak in favour of, and one against, the motion, after which the motion shall be immediately put to the vote. The Chairperson may limit the time allowed to speakers under this rule.

Rule 22 – Closure of the debate 

During the discussion of any matter, a State Party may move the closure of the debate on the item under discussion, whether or not any other speaker has signified her or his wish to take part in the discussion. If application is made for permission to speak against the closure, it may be accorded to not more than two speakers, after which the motion shall be immediately put to the vote. If the Conference is in favour of the closure, the Chairperson shall declare the closure of the debate. The Chairperson may limit the time allowed to speakers under this rule.

Rule 23 – Order of procedural motion

Subject to Rule 18.1, the following motions shall have precedence in the following order over all other proposals or motions before the meeting: 

(a) to suspend the meeting;

(b) to adjourn the meeting;

(c) to adjourn the debate on the item under discussion;

(d) for the closure of the debate on the item under discussion.

Rule 24 – Working languages

24.1 The working languages of the Conference shall be Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

24.2 Speeches made at the Conference in one of the working languages shall be interpreted into the other languages.

24.3 Speakers may, however, speak in any other language, provided that they make their own arrangements for interpretation of their speeches into one of the working languages.

24.4 The documents of the Conference shall be issued in all the working languages.

Rule 25 – Deadline for the distribution of documents 

The documents relating to the items on the provisional agenda of each session of the Conference shall be distributed, either in paper format or electronically, at the latest 30 days before the opening of the ordinary session, and as soon as possible in the case of an extraordinary session, to all States Parties and observers.

Rule 26 – Summary records

The Secretariat shall prepare summary records of all statements made and decisions taken during the plenary meetings of the Conference, in English and French, for approval at the opening of the following session. Those draft summary records should be circulated to the States Parties within 60 days of the end of each session.

Rule 27 – Voting rights

Each State Party shall have one vote in the Conference.

Rule 28 – Consensus 

Every effort shall be made to adopt decisions in the Conference by consensus. If consensus cannot be reached, decisions shall be adopted by vote.

Rule 29 – Conduct during voting

After the Chairperson has announced the beginning of voting, no one shall interrupt the voting except on a point of order in connection with the actual conduct of the voting.

Rule 30 – Simple majority

When the Conference resorts to voting and unless otherwise provided in the present Rules of Procedure, decisions shall be taken by a simple majority of the States Parties present and voting.

Rule 31 – Voting by show of hands and by roll-call

31.1 Except as otherwise provided for in the present Rules of Procedure, voting shall be by show of hands except as concerns elections, which shall normally be conducted by secret ballot if there is more than one candidate for each office.

31.2 When the result of a vote by show of hands is in doubt, the Chairperson may take a second vote by roll-call. Vote by roll-call shall also be taken if it is requested by not less than two States Parties. The request shall be made to the Chairperson before voting takes place or immediately after the vote by show of hands.

31.3 When a vote is taken by roll-call, the vote of each State Party participating shall be inserted in the summary records.

Rule 32 – Order of voting on proposals

32.1 If two or more proposals, other than amendments, relate to the same question, they shall, unless the Conference decides otherwise, be voted on in the order in which they were submitted. The Conference may, after each vote on a proposal, decide whether to vote on the next proposal.

32.2 A motion requiring that no decision be taken on a proposal shall have priority over that proposal.

Rule 33 – Voting on amendments

33.1 When an amendment to a proposal is moved, the amendment shall be voted on first. When two or more amendments to a proposal are moved, the Chairperson shall put them to the vote, starting with the amendment deemed by her or him to be the furthest removed in substance from the original proposal, and so on. In case of doubt, the Chairperson shall consult the Conference.

33.2 If one or more amendments are adopted, the amended proposal shall then be put to the vote.

33.3 A motion is considered an amendment to a proposal if it merely adds to, deletes from or revises part of that proposal.

Rule 34 – Meaning of the expression “States Parties present and voting”

For the purpose of the present Rules of Procedure, the expression “States Parties present and voting” means States Parties casting an affirmative or negative vote. States Parties who abstain from voting are considered as not voting.

Rule 35 – Secretariat

35.1 The Director-General of UNESCO or her or his representative shall participate in the work of the Conference, its subsidiary bodies and the Bureau, without the right to vote. She or he may, at any time, make either oral or written statements to the Conference on any question under discussion, without prejudice to Rule 12.1.

35.2 The Director-General of UNESCO shall appoint an official of the Secretariat of UNESCO to act as Secretary to the Conference, as well as other officials who shall together constitute the Secretariat of the Conference.

35.3 The Secretariat shall receive, translate and distribute all documents; arrange for the interpretation of the discussions; prepare summary records; and publish the adopted resolutions and distribute them to the States Parties.

35.4 The Secretariat shall also perform all other duties necessary for the proper conduct of the work of the Conference.

Rule 36 – Amendment 

The Conference may amend the present Rules of Procedure by a decision taken by a two-thirds majority of the States Parties present and voting, except when they reproduce provisions of the Convention.

Rule 37 – Suspension

The Conference may suspend the application of any of the present Rules of Procedure, except when they reproduce provisions of the Convention, by a decision taken by a two-thirds majority of the States Parties present and voting.