Quorum quarrels: While efforts were made to change the rules, they still remain in place

Quorum quarrels: While efforts were made to change the rules, they still remain in place

The contentious issue of quorum, first ignited during the heated discussions surrounding the South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary at IWC68, resurfaced at IWC69, sparking another round of debate within the Plenary. Despite the efforts of the Working Group on Operational Effectiveness (WGOE), the Commission was unable to reach consensus on any of the proposed solutions, leaving the existing Rules of Procedure in place for this meeting.

Three options were tabled at IWC69, each attempting to clarify what constitutes a quorum and how the Commission should move forward with decision-making processes. The first option suggested that a quorum be made up of a majority of the Commission members, or alternatively, a majority of the registered delegations present at the meeting. This, however, was quickly rejected by several delegations, including Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, and Norway, who argued that this would not address the underlying issues, particularly for developing nations with voting rights complications.

The second option focused on attendance at the time of decision-making, with the requirement that a majority of members or accredited delegates be present to pass any decision. Yet again, concerns about transparency and ambiguities in how quorum would be maintained throughout the sessions led to its rejection. Delegates from countries such as Antigua & Barbuda, Benin, and Brazil voiced their opposition, citing the potential for confusion and imbalance.

A third option sought to address the quorum at the start of each session and suggested that members who had not participated in the Commission’s work for over 10 to 15 years would not count towards the total quorum. Despite some support, this too failed to gain traction, with key players like Norway and the US opposing the proposal, insisting that more than 50% of members should be present for any decisions to be valid.

With no consensus reached on any of the three options, the Plenary agreed to maintain the current Rules of Procedure. This means that, for IWC69, quorum will continue to be based on a majority of members present at the start of each session. The Chair ruled that votes would only be taken after an announcement, ensuring a quorum at key moments..

The lack of resolution around this issue has led to a renewed mandate for the WGOE to revisit the quorum question and present streamlined options at IWC70. As the Commission continues its work, the issue of quorum remains a critical, unresolved challenge, one that will undoubtedly resurface in future meetings. For now, the existing rules hold firm, but with dissatisfaction brewing, it’s clear that the Commission must find a way to balance participation and decision-making in the years ahead.