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INTERNATIONAL ENERGY FORUM
Charter
RIYADH
22 FEBRUARY 2011
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Contents
SectionI. TheForum ....................................................................................................................4
SectionII. Objectives......................................................................................................................5
SectionIII. Membership.................................................................................................................6
SectionIV. Organs ............................................................................................................................7
SectionV. MinisterialActivities ................................................................................................8
SectionVI. ExecutiveBoard....................................................................................................... 10
SectionVII. Secretariat ................................................................................................................. 13
SectionVIII. InternationalSupportGroup............................................................................. 16
SectionIX. IndustryAdvisoryCommittee........................................................................... 17
SectionX. BudgetandExpenditure...................................................................................... 18
SectionXI. ForumLanguage ..................................................................................................... 19
SectionXII. RelationswithRelevantOrganizations ........................................................ 19
SectionXIII. SuspensionofVotingandMembershipontheExecutiveBoard........ 19
SectionXIV. Headquarters............................................................................................................ 19
SectionXV. Modi�icationstotheCharteranditsAnnex................................................. 20
SectionXVI. ApprovalandEffectiveDateoftheCharter................................................. 21
SectionXVII. Withdrawals.............................................................................................................. 21
SectionXVIII. Noti�ication................................................................................................................ 21
Annex. ScaleofBudgetaryContributions.................................................................... 23
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SectionI
TheForum
1. TheInternationalEnergyForum(hereinafter“theForum”)isformedinaccordance withthefollowingprovisions.
2. TheForumisanintergovernmentalarrangementthatservesasaneutralfacilitatorofinformal,open,informedandcontinuingglobalenergydialogueamongitsmembershipofenergyproducingandenergyconsumingStates,includingtransitStates.
3. TheCharterdoesnotcreateanylegallybindingrightsorobligationsbetweenoramongitsmembers.
4. EachMemberStateiscommittedtotheglobalenergydialogueand,consistentlywithitsdomesticlawandinternationalobligations,participatesintheForumandendeavours,ingoodfaith,toimplementtheCharter’stermsandrealizeitsobjectives.
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SectionII
Objectives
ThefundamentalaimsoftheForumare:
a. fosteringgreatermutualunderstandingandawarenessofcommonenergyinterestsamongitsMembers;
b. promotingabetterunderstandingofthebene�itsofstableandtransparentenergymarketsforthehealthoftheworldeconomy,thesecurityofenergysupplyanddemand,andtheexpansionofglobaltradeandinvestmentinenergyresourcesandtechnology;
c. identifyingandpromotingprinciplesandguidelinesthatenhanceenergymarkettransparency,stabilityandsustainability;
d. narrowingthedifferencesamongenergyproducing,consumingandtransitMemberStatesonglobalenergyissuesandpromotingafullerunderstandingoftheirinterdependencyandthebene�itstobegainedfromcooperationthroughdialogueamongthem,aswellasbetweenthemandenergyrelatedindustries;
e. promotingthestudyandexchangeofviewsontheinter-relationshipsamongenergy,technology,environmentalissues,economicgrowthanddevelopment;
f. buildingcon�idenceandtrustthroughimprovedinformationsharingamongStates;and
g. facilitatingthecollection,compilationanddisseminationofdata,informationandanalysesthatcontributetogreatermarkettransparency,stabilityandsustainability.
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SectionIII
Membership
1. MembersoftheForumarethoseStatesMembersoftheUnitedNationswhichparticipatedattheMinisterialMeetingheldinRiyadhon22February2011,andapprovedandsignedtheCharterasMembersoftheForumonthesameday.
2. AnyotherStateMemberoftheUnitedNationsmaybecomeamemberoftheForum,providedthefollowingconditionsareful�illed:
a. itsubmitsawrittenof�icialcommunicationtotheSecretary-Generalofthe ForumexpressingitsapprovaloftheCharterandthewishtobecomea MemberoftheForum;and
b. theExecutiveBoardacceptsitsmembershipbyconsensusandintheabsence ofconsensusbyafour-�ifthsmajorityofthememberspresentandvoting.
3. EachMemberoftheForumtransmitsitsannualcontributionstotheSecretariat’sannualbudget,inaccordancewiththescaleofbudgetarycontributionsintheAnnextotheCharter.MembersoftheForumfromamongtheleastdevelopedStates,asdeterminedbytheUnitedNationsOf�iceoftheHighRepresentativefortheLeastDevelopedCountries,LandlockedDevelopingCountriesandSmallIslandDevelopingStates,arenotexpectedtoprovideannualcontributions.
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SectionIV
Organs
1. TheprincipalorgansoftheForumare:
a. MinisterialActivities;
b. TheExecutiveBoard;
c. ASecretariat;
d. AnInternationalSupportGroup;
e. AnIndustryAdvisoryCommittee.
2. TheorgansoftheForumaretoendeavourtoreachdecisionsbyconsensus.Intheabsenceofconsensus,unlessotherwiseindicated,decisionsaretobemadebyatwo-thirdsmajorityofthememberspresentandvoting.ForthepurposesoftheCharter,thephrase“memberspresentandvoting”meansmemberspresentandcastinganaf�irmativeornegativevote.Memberswhichabstainfromvotingareconsideredasnotvoting.Thepresenceofamajorityofthemembers,unlessotherwiseindicated,isrequiredforanydecisiontobetaken.
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SectionV
MinisterialActivities
1. BiennialMinisterialMeetings
a. MinisterialMeetingsaretheprimarybodyoftheForumandserveasaneutral venueforhighlevel,informal,open,informedandcontinuingglobalenergy
dialogueamongtheMembersoftheForum.
b. TheExecutiveBoardandtheSecretariatincoordinationwiththeHostState andCo-HostState(s)prepare,organizeandconducttheMinisterialMeetingso thatitleadstoafocusedandresult-orienteddialogueinpursuitoftheobjectives oftheForum.
c. AMinisterialMeetingisconvened,ataminimum,biennially.
d. TheMinisteroftheHostStateactsasthePresidentoftheMinisterialMeeting andtheMinistersoftheCo-HostState(s)actasthevice-President(s)ofthe MinisterialMeeting.
2. ExtraordinaryMinisterialMeetings
a. ExtraordinaryMinisterialMeetingsmaybeheldattherequestofatleast �ive(5)MembersoftheForumandtheapprovaloftheExecutiveBoard.
b. AnyrequestforanExtraordinaryMinisterialMeetingistobesubmittedin writingtothePresidentoftheforthcomingMinisterialMeetingthroughthe Secretary-General.ThePresidenttransmitssucharequesttotheExecutive BoardthroughtheSecretary-General.
c. TheExecutiveBoardmakesadecisiononsucharequestwithin twenty-one(21)daysofitsreceipt.
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3. WorkingGroups
a. MinisterialMeetingsmayestablishWorkingGroupsatMinisterialorotherlevels fortheperformanceofaspeci�ictask.WorkingGroupsinformtheMinisterial Meetingoftheoutcomeoftheirwork.
b. AnyMemberoftheForumortheSecretary-Generalmayrequestthe establishmentofaWorkingGroup.Sucharequestistobesubmittedinwriting throughtheSecretary-GeneraltotheChairoftheExecutiveBoardtogetherwith thereasonsforitscreation.TheExecutiveBoarddecidesonsucharequest within60daysofitsreceipt.
c. EachWorkingGroupestablishedinaccordancewithparagraph3(b)informs theExecutiveBoardontheoutcomeofitswork;
d. AnyMemberoftheForumwishingtoparticipateinaWorkingGroup establishedinaccordancewithparagraph3(b)istoinformtheExecutiveBoard priortothe�irstscheduledmeetingofthesaidWorkingGroup.
4. MinisterialMeeting’sConcludingStatements
a. TheHostStateandCo-HostState(s)ofaMinisterialMeetingwiththesupport fromtheSecretariatprepareandissueaConcludingStatementundertheirown responsibilityatthecloseoftheMinisterialMeeting.
b. AMinisterialMeetingmayissueadditionalandotherformsofcommunication withrespecttotheoutcomeofitsmeeting.
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SectionVIExecutiveBoard
1. FunctionsoftheExecutiveBoard
a. TheExecutiveBoardservesasthegoverningbodyoftheForum.
b. ThefunctionsoftheExecutiveBoardinclude:
(i) approvalofmembershiptotheForuminaccordancewithSectionIII(2);
(ii) approvalofholdingExtraordinaryMinisterialMeetings;
(iii) approvalofthethemeandprogrammeofthebiennialMinisterialMeeting bearinginmindtheneedforfocusedandresult-orienteddialogue;
(iv) approvalandmonitoringofthebiennialProgrammeofWorkforthe SecretariattakingintoconsiderationsuchcommentsasMembersofthe
Forummayhavemade;
(v) reviewandapprovaloftheannualbudgetoftheSecretariattakinginto considerationsuchcommentsasMembersoftheForummayhavemade;
(vi) reviewandapprovalofthestatementofaccountsoftheSecretariat;
(vii) approvalofthestaffand�inancialregulationsoftheSecretariat;
(viii)appointmentofanauditortoconductanannualauditoftheSecretariat’s accounts;
(ix) appointmentoftheSecretary-Generalfromamongthenationalsof MembersoftheForum;
(x) selectionofaHostStateandCo-HostState(s)forbiennialMinisterial MeetingsandwhennecessaryforExtraordinaryMinisterialMeetings. Inprinciple,thereisoneCo-hostStateforaMinisterialMeeting.However, whenappropriate,theExecutiveBoardmayselecttwo(2)Co-HostStates;
(xi) establishmentofworkinggroupsorcommitteestogetherwithfunctions asdeemedappropriateforthepromptresolutionofmattersbrought beforetheExecutiveBoard;and
(xii) approvaloftheestablishment,asappropriate,ofoneormoresatellite of�icesoftheSecretariatinlocation(s)outsidetheHeadquartersofthe Secretariat.
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1 MembersappearonthelistofoilandgasproducingMemberStatesiftheirproductionvolume(measuredinmilliontonsofoilequivalent)exceedstheirconsumptionvolume(measuredinmilliontonsofoilequivalent)andonthelistofoilandgasconsumingMemberStatesiftheirconsumptionvolumeislargerthantheirproductionvolume.Thetopoilandgasproducersarerankedbyproductionvolume,thetopoilandgasconsumersarerankedbyconsumptionvolume.
2. EstablishmentofandmembershipontheExecutiveBoard
a. TheExecutiveBoardistobeestablishedwithinonemonthfollowingtheclose ofthebiennialMinisterialMeetingandservesuntilthecloseofthenextbiennial MinisterialMeeting.
b. TheExecutiveBoardiscomprisedofdesignatedrepresentativesofministers responsibleforenergymattersfromthirty-one(31)MembersoftheForum. TherepresentativesoftheInternationalEnergyAgency(IEA)andthe OrganizationofthePetroleumExportingCountries(OPEC)arenon-voting
membersoftheExecutiveBoard.TheExecutiveBoardmayinviteother intergovernmentalbodiestoparticipateonanadhocbasisasobserversin meetingsoftheExecutiveBoard.
c. Fromamongthethirty-one(31)membersoftheBoard,twenty-three(23)are
toserveaspermanentmembersoftheExecutiveBoardandeight(8)asrotating members.
d. PermanentmembersoftheExecutiveBoardaretheHostcountryofthe Secretariatandtheeleven(11)largestoilandgasproducersandtheeleven(11) largestoilandgasconsumersasdeterminedinalistofthelatest�igures collectedbytheSecretariatasofthe1stofJanuaryoftheyearoftheMinisterial MeetingandapprovedbytheExecutiveBoard1.TheseatofanyMemberofthe ForumwhichisunwillingtoserveasapermanentmemberoftheExecutive Boardistobe�illedbythefollowingMemberonthelist.
e. ThepermanentmembershipoftheExecutiveBoardistobereviewedbiennially
andadjustedasdeterminedbythethenmostcurrentcollected�iguresbythe Secretariatasofthe1stofJanuaryoftheyearofthebiennialMinisterialMeeting.
f. Rotatingmembersaretobeselectedbythepermanentmemberswithinone
monthfollowingtheestablishmentoftheExecutiveBoardwithpermanent members.
g. Rotatingmembersmaybeappointedforsuccessiveterms.However,effortsare
tobemadetoprovidetheopportunityforMembersoftheForum,notquali�ied toserveaspermanentmembers,toserveasrotatingmembersoftheExecutive Board.
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h. Intheselectionofrotatingmembers,considerationistobegiventoachievinga balancedrepresentationamongoilandgasproducing,consumingandtransit states,developedanddevelopingcountries;geographicaldistributionisalsoto betakenintoaccount.Two(2)orthree(3)rotatingseatsare,however,tobe reservedfortheHostandtheCo-HostState(s)oftheforthcomingbiennial MinisterialMeeting,unlesstheyarepermanentmembersoftheExecutive Board.
i. TheExecutiveBoardischairedbytheHostStateoftheforthcomingbiennial
MinisterialMeeting.Saidchairmanshipbeginsatthecloseofthepreceding biennialMinisterialMeetingandconcludesatthecloseofthebiennial MinisterialMeetinghostedbythatState.
j. ThedutiesoftheChairoftheExecutiveBoardareto:
(i) reviewtheagendaandthepreparationforeachmeetingofthe ExecutiveBoard;
(ii) presideoverthemeetingsoftheExecutiveBoard;and
(iii)representtheExecutiveBoardatallMinisterialMeetingsofthe Forum.
k. TheCo-Hostistoactasthevice-ChairoftheExecutiveBoard.Wherethereare
twoCo-HostStates,theExecutiveBoarddecideswhichoneofthemistoactas thevice-Chair.
3. MeetingsandconductofBusinessoftheExecutiveBoard
a. TheExecutiveBoardmeetsatleasttwiceannually.Atleastonesuchmeetingof theExecutiveBoardistotakeplaceattheHeadquartersoftheForum.
b. AdditionalmeetingsoftheExecutiveBoardmaybeconvenedasdeemed
appropriatebytheChairoftheExecutiveBoardandtheSecretary-General,orat therequestofatleastthree-quartersofthemembersoftheExecutiveBoard.
c. Thepresenceofatleasttwo-thirdsofthemembersoftheExecutiveBoard
constitutesaquorumforpurposesofconductingthemeetingandmaking decisions.
d. TheExecutiveBoardmayestablishworkinggroupsorcommitteestoassistin
theperformanceofthefunctionsassignedtoit.
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SectionVIISecretariat
1. TheSecretariatistheadministrativeorganoftheForum.
2. TheSecretariatplans,organizesandexecutesactivitiesincludedandassignedtoitinthebiennialProgrammeofWork,takespartinthepreparationfortheMinisterialMeetings,andperformsanyadditionalactivitiesassignedtoitbytheExecutiveBoard.
3. ThedutiesoftheSecretariatalsoinclude:
a. theprovisionofaneutralplatformfordialogueandanexchangeofviewson issuesrelatingtotheobjectivesoftheForumamongMembersoftheForumand betweenMembersoftheForumandenergy-relatedindustries;
b. theexchangeofenergydataandinformationamongenergyproducing, consumingandtransitStates,organizationsandenergy-relatedindustries;
c. theorganizationofseminars,symposia,conferences,workshops,training programmes,exhibitionsandroundtablediscussionsonenergy-relevantglobal orregionalissues;
d. theestablishmentandconductofdialogueandcooperationwithotherenergy relevantentitiesinundertakingresearchandanalyses;
e. outreachtoenergyentitiesinthepublicandprivatesectors,andtointernational organizationsandnon-governmentalorganizations,topromotethestudyand exchangeofviewsontheinterrelationshipamongenergy,technology, environmentalissues,andeconomicgrowthanddevelopment;
f. thepreparationanddisseminationofnewsletters,factualandanalyticalreports, statementsandpressreleasesonactivitiesoftheForum;
g. theprovisionofassistancetoMembersoftheForumtoensurethatthedialogue amongthemismorefullyfocusedandresult-oriented;
h. theprovisionofadvisory,operationalandlogisticalservicestotheHostStateof aMinisterialMeeting;
i. thepreparationofafocusedagenda,andcollectionandanalysesofpertinent factualinformationrelevanttotheagendaoftheMinisterialMeetingsinorderto facilitatediscussionsonconcreteissues;
j. theprovisionofassistancetotheHostStateandCo-HostState(s)withthe preparationandissuanceofaConcludingStatement;
k. thepreparationofagendas,necessaryanalyses,reportsandprovisionof assistancetotheExecutiveBoard,theInternationalSupportGroupandthe IndustryAdvisoryCommittee;
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l. thecirculationtotheMembersoftheForumoftheproposedbiennial ProgrammeofWorkanddraftannualbudgetandthetransmissiontothe ExecutiveBoardofsuchcommentsasMembersoftheForummayhavemade;
m. thecirculationtotheMembersoftheForumofthebiennialProgrammeofWork andannualbudgetapprovedbytheExecutiveBoard.
4. TheSecretariat,inconsultationswiththeExecutiveBoard,istocooperatecloselywiththeIEA,OPEC,GasExportingCountriesForum(GECF),InternationalGasUnion(IGU)andotherrelevantorganizations.Itistoworkwiththeseorganizationsonmattersofmutualinterestwhileavoidingasfaraspossibleduplicationofwork.Whereappropriate,suchcooperationmaybearrangedthroughMemorandaofUnderstandingwiththeapprovaloftheExecutiveBoard.
5. EachMemberoftheForumistofacilitatetheworkoftheSecretariat,inconnectionwithorganizingandconductingseminars,colloquia,workinggroups,trainingsessions,andotheractivitiesoftheForumintheMember’sterritory.
6. Intheperformanceoftheirfunctions,theSecretary-GeneralandthestaffoftheSecretariatareneithertoseeknortoacceptinstructionsfromanysourceexternaltotheForum.
7. TheSecretariatisheadedandmanagedbytheSecretary-General.
8. TheSecretary-GeneralservesasthechiefexecutiveoftheForumandisaffordedtheindependenceandauthoritynecessarytoconducttheaffairsoftheForuminfurtheranceofitsobjectivesandfunctions,asprovidedintheCharter.
9. TheSecretary-GeneralintheperformanceofhisorherdutiesisaccountabletotheExecutiveBoard.
10. TheSecretary-GeneralappointsthestaffoftheSecretariatfromamongthenationalsoftheMembersoftheForumandinaccordancewithstaffregulations,bearinginmindtheneedforgeographicalbalance.TheSecretary-GeneralistoconsultandseektheadviceoftheExecutiveBoardpriortoappointmentoftheDirectorsofDivisionsoftheSecretariat.
11. TheSecretary-GeneralisappointedbytheExecutiveBoardforatermoffour(4)years.TheappointmentoftheSecretary-Generalmaybeextendedonceforanadditionalperioduptotwo(2)years.TheSecretary-GeneralisbasedattheHeadquartersoftheSecretariat.
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12. ThedutiesoftheSecretary-Generalareto: a. preparethebiennialProgrammeofWorkoftheSecretariattopromoteand
implementtheobjectivesoftheCharterandsuchguidingpoliciesandpriorities asmayhavebeensetforthbytheMinisterialMeetings;
b. directtheworkoftheSecretariatandensurethatthebiennialProgrammeof
Workispreparedanddeliveredinatimelyandef�icientmanner; c. serveasthesecretaryofthemeetingsoftheExecutiveBoard;
d. servetheExecutiveBoardandprovideitsmemberswithinformation concerningtheon-goingactivitiesoftheSecretariatandanyotherinformation relevanttotheworkoftheExecutiveBoardorrequestedbytheExecutiveBoard;
e. maintainliaisonwithMembersoftheForum,organizationsandenergy-related industriesonmattersconcerningtheinternationalenergymarkets;
f. seekandreceivesuggestionsfromrepresentativesofMembersoftheForum, organizationsandindustryparticipantsintheForumregardingtheactivitiesof theForum;
g. ensureef�icientmanagementofhumanand�inancialresources;
h. commissionconsultantswhennecessarytoadviseonspecialmattersrelated totheworkoftheForumorconductexpertstudieswhensuchworkcannotbe undertakenbytheSecretariat;
i. informMembersoftheForumoftheirshareofcontributiontotheannual budgetoftheSecretariatinaccordancewiththescaleofbudgetary contributionsintheAnnextotheCharterandreportthereontotheExecutive Boardonaregularbasis;and
j. preparedraftbudgetandother�inancialreportsoftheSecretariatforthe considerationandapprovaloftheExecutiveBoard.
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SectionVIII
InternationalSupportGroup
1. TheInternationalSupportGroupiscomprisedofrepresentativesfrommembersoftheExecutiveBoard,theIEAandOPECSecretariatsandfromasmanyMembersoftheForumasarewillingtoparticipate.OtherinternationalorganizationsmaybeinvitedbytheChairoftheExecutiveBoardandtheSecretary-GeneraltoparticipateintheInternationalSupportGroup.
2. TheInternationalSupportGroup:
a. providestheExecutiveBoardandtheSecretariatwithadviceonthestructure andthemesoftheforthcomingbiennialMinisterialMeeting,energypolicy issues,andpossiblewaysofimprovingthedialogueamongenergyproducing, andenergyconsumingMemberStates,includingtransitMemberStates;and
b. advisesandassiststheExecutiveBoardandtheSecretariatinthe implementationofthebiennialProgrammeofWork.
3. TheInternationalSupportGroupisconstitutedbienniallyfollowingthecloseofthebiennialMinisterialMeetingandtheestablishmentofanewExecutiveBoard.
4. TheInternationalSupportGroupischairedbytheChairoftheExecutiveBoard.
5. TheInternationalSupportGroupistomeetatleastonceayear.
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SectionIX
IndustryAdvisoryCommittee
1. TheIndustryAdvisoryCommitteeadvisestheExecutiveBoardandthe Secretary-GeneralonactivitiesoftheForum.TheIndustryAdvisoryCommitteeis tomeetatleastonceayear.
2. TheIndustryAdvisoryCommitteeincludesrepresentativesofbusinessenterprises andindustryentitieswhichcontributetotheForumandareinvitedbythe Secretary-General,inconsultationswiththeExecutiveBoard,tojointheCommittee. TherepresentativesofthemembersoftheInternationalSupportGroupmay participateasobservers.
3. TheIndustryAdvisoryCommitteeisconstitutedbienniallyfollowingthecloseofthe biennialMinisterialMeeting.
4. TheIndustryAdvisoryCommitteeistoelect,byasimplemajority,aChairand analternateChairfromamongitsmembers,atits�irstmeetingfollowingthebiennial MinisterialMeeting.TheCommitteemayestablishsub-groupsforful�illmentofits tasks.
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SectionX
BudgetandExpenditure
1. TheMemberStatesaretoensuretheprovisionofadequateandpredictable�inancialresourcesbothtosustainanannualbudgetfortheSecretariatapprovedbytheExecutiveBoard,andtopermitlong-termplanningandtheful�illmentofmulti-yearprograms.Toachievetheseobjectives,theactivitiesoftheSecretariataretobe�inancedbythefollowingformsofcontribution:
a. annualcontributionsbyMemberStates,inaccordancewiththescaleof budgetarycontributionsintheAnnextotheCharter,payablebefore1stofJuneof eachyear;
b. additionalcontributionsandsupplementalcontributionsbyMemberStatesto
speci�icadditionalactivities;and c. contributionsfromindustryparticipantsintheBusinessForaandfromother
sources.
2. ThebudgetaryyearoftheForumisfromJanuary1untilDecember31ofeachyear.
3. ThebudgetoftheSecretariatforeachbudgetaryyearistobeproposedbytheSecretary-GeneralandreviewedandapprovedbytheExecutiveBoard,nolaterthanthirty(30)daysbeforetheendoftheprecedingbudgetaryyear.
4. TheExecutiveBoardistoendeavourtomakedecisionsonannualbudgetandexpendituresbyconsensus.Ifconsensuscannotbeachieved,suchdecisionsaremadebyafour-�ifthsmajorityofthememberspresentandvoting.
5 TheSecretary-Generalmanagestheannualbudget.
6 AccountsoftheSecretariataretobemaintainedinUSDollars.
7. AnauditorappointedinaccordancewithSectionVI(1)(b)(viii)istoreviewtheannual�inancialreportsoftheSecretariataccordingtointernationalaccountingstandardsandpresenthisorhercommentsandrecommendationstotheExecutiveBoard.
8. TheSecretary-General,withinfour(4)monthsoftheendofeachbudgetaryyear,istoprovidetotheExecutiveBoard,foritsconsiderationandapproval,anauditedannualreportwhichaccountsfortheactivitiesandthe�inancialstatusoftheSecretariat,includingabalancesheet,acash�lowstatementandexplanatorynotes.
9. TheSecretary-GeneralcirculatestheauditedannualreportapprovedbytheExecutiveBoardtoMembersoftheForum.
10. AllbudgetarydocumentsandreportsaretobearchivedelectronicallybytheSecretariatforaperiodoftenyearsorforalongerperiodasmaybedecidedbytheExecutiveBoard.
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SectionXI
ForumLanguage
ThelanguageoftheForumisEnglish.
SectionXII
RelationswithRelevantOrganizations
TheExecutiveBoardmayestablishanappropriaterelationshipbetweentheForumandrelevantorganizationsbymeansoftheexchangeofMemorandaofUnderstanding.
SectionXIII
SuspensionofVotingandMembershipontheExecutiveBoard
1. ThevoteofaMemberoftheForumwhichisde�icientinthepaymentofitsannual contributiontotheSecretariatissuspendediftheamountofitsde�iciencyequalsor exceedstheamountofitsannualcontribution(inaccordancewiththescaleof budgetarycontributionsintheAnnextotheCharter)fortheprecedingyear.
2. AMemberoftheForumontheExecutiveBoardwhichisde�icientintheamount speci�iedinparagraph1losesitsmembershipontheExecutiveBoard.Its membershipistoresumeassoonastheMemberisnolonger�inanciallyde�icient.
SectionXIV
Headquarters
1. TheHeadquartersoftheForumisinRiyadh,theKingdomofSaudiArabia.
2. TheSecretariatislocatedintheHeadquartersoftheForumandbene�itsfromthe immunitiesandprivilegesnecessaryfortheperformanceofitsfunctionsin accordancewiththeProtocolonHeadquarters,ImmunitiesandPrivilegesbetween theGovernmentoftheKingdomofSaudiArabiaandtheSecretariatofthe InternationalEnergyForum,signedon30June2004andanyamendmentsthereto.
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SectionXV
Modi�icationstotheCharteranditsAnnex
1. AnyMemberoftheForummayproposemodi�icationstotheCharteranditsAnnex.
2. Anyproposedmodi�icationtotheCharteranditsAnnexistobesubmittedinwritingtotheExecutiveBoardthroughtheSecretary-General.
3. Anymodi�icationtotheCharteranditsAnnexistobeapprovedbytheExecutiveBoardbyconsensusandintheabsenceofconsensusbyafour-�ifthsmajorityofthememberspresentandvoting.Suchamodi�icationistobepresentedtotheMembersoftheForumatleastthirty(30)dayspriortotheforthcomingMinisterialMeeting.
4. Adoptionofanymodi�icationtotheCharteroritsAnnexbytheMinisterialMeetingistobebyconsensusandintheabsenceofconsensusbyafour-�ifthsmajorityoftheMemberspresentandvoting.
5. Amodi�icationtotheCharteroritsAnnexbecomeseffectiveforallMembersoftheForumwhenfour-�ifthsoftheMembershavenoti�iedtheSecretary-Generalinwritingoftheirapprovalofsuchmodi�ication.
6. TheSecretary-GeneralistonotifyallMembersoftheForumoftheeffectivedateofsuchmodi�ication.
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SectionXVI
ApprovalandEffectiveDateoftheCharter
1. TheCharterwasapprovedattheMinisterialMeetingon22February2011heldinRiyadh,KingdomofSaudiArabia.
2. TheCharterbecomeseffectivethirty(30)daysfollowingthejoiningof�ifty(50)StatesasMembersoftheForuminaccordancewithSectionIII.TheSecretary-GeneralistopromptlyinformallMemberStatesoftheeffectivedateoftheCharter.
3. TheCharteristoreplacetheStatuteoftheSecretariatoftheInternationalEnergyForumapprovedinIsfahan,IslamicRepublicofIraninSeptember2003anditssubsequentmodi�icationsonthedatetheCharterbecomeseffective.TheSecretariatwhichwasestablishedundertheStatuteistobecometheSecretariatoftheForumandistohenceforthoperateundertheCharter.
SectionXVIIWithdrawals
1. AnyMemberoftheForummaywithdrawfromtheForumbysubmittingawrittennoti�icationtothateffecttotheExecutiveBoardthroughtheSecretary-General.
2. AnyMemberoftheForumwhichisde�icientinthepaymentofitsannualcontributiontotheSecretariatisdeemedtohavewithdrawnfrommembershipintheForumiftheamountofitsde�iciencyequalsorexceedstheamountofitsannualcontribution(inaccordancewiththescaleofbudgetarycontributionsintheAnnextotheCharter)fortheprecedingtwoyears.Re-entrytomembershipisthensubjecttoSectionIII(2).
SectionXVIIINoti�ication
TheGovernmentoftheKingdomofSaudiArabia,astheHostCountry,onbehalfoftheMembersoftheForum,isrequestedtotransmittotheSecretary-GeneraloftheUnitedNationsthetextoftheCharter,withaviewtoitscirculationtotheMembersoftheOrganizationasanof�icialdocumentoftheUnitedNations.
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Annex
ScaleofBudgetaryContributions
TheshareofcontributionofMemberstotheannualbudgetoftheSecretariatisinaccordancewiththefollowingscale:
a. Theminimumforcontributionsisequalto0.5%oftheAnnualBudgetofthe Secretariat. b. Themaximumforcontributionsisequalto6%oftheAnnualBudgetofthe Secretariat.
c. Withintheabove�loorandceiling,MembersoftheForumtransmitanannual contributionequalto:
ForoilandgasconsumingMemberStates2:
AnnualBudgetoftheSecretariattimesthetotalconsumptionofoilandgasofeach MemberState,dividedbythesumofthetotaloilandgasconsumptionofconsuming MemberStates,andthetotaloilandgasproductionofproducingMemberStates.
ForoilandgasproducingMemberStates3:
AnnualBudgetoftheSecretariattimesthetotalproductionofoilandgasofeach MemberState,dividedbythesumofthetotaloilandgasconsumptionofconsuming MemberStates,andthetotaloilandgasproductionofoilandgasproducingMember States.
Withoutprejudiceto(a)and(b)hereinabove,anyremainingbalanceofthebudgetwillbeallocatedproratatotheMemberStates.
d. LeastDevelopedCountries,asdeterminedbytheUnitedNationsOf�iceofthe HighRepresentativefortheLeastDevelopedCountries,Land-Locked DevelopingCountries,andSmallIslandDevelopingStates,arenotexpectedto makeannualcontributions.
2 OilandgasconsumingMemberStatesarede�inedasthoseMemberStateswhoseoilandgasconsumption(measuredinmilliontonsofoilequivalent)exceedsitsoilandgasproduction(measuredinmilliontonsofoilequivalent).
3 OilandgasproducingMemberStatesarede�inedasthoseMemberStateswhoseoilandgasproduction(measuredinmilliontonsofoilequivalent)exceedsitsoilandgasconsumption(measuredinmilliontonsofoilequivalent).
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