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<DIV>The next session of the Commission on Science and Technology for
Development will occur from 15-19 May in Geneva. No word on whether or not there
will be discussion on modifying its mandate and structure in light of the
WSIS. My understanding is that until ECOSOC considers the request of the
WSIS at its next substantive session in July, that the CSTD continues to operate
under its old mandate and structure. And thus only NGOs in consultative
status with ECOSOC will be allowed to participate. This is the relevant
section from the "Tunis Agenda":<BR><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE class=cite cite="" type="cite"><B>105.
We</B> <B>request</B> that ECOSOC oversees the system- wide follow-up of the
Geneva and Tunis outcomes of WSIS. To this end, we request that ECOSOC, at its
substantive session of 2006, reviews the mandate, agenda and composition of
the Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD), including
considering the strengthening of the Commission, taking into account the
multi-stakeholder approach. </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>The ECOSOC substantive session is
from July 3-28 in Geneva.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Frank Mulcahy,<BR>'Franmar',<BR>2 Castle Village
Court,<BR>Celbridge,<BR>Co. Kildare<BR>Ireland</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Tel. & Fax: +353 1627 1314<BR>Mobile/Cell Phone: +353 8723
44934<BR>E-mail: <A href="mailto:fmulcahy@iol.ie">fmulcahy@iol.ie</A>
or<BR><A
href="mailto:frankmulcahy2005@yahoo.co.uk">frankmulcahy2005@yahoo.co.uk</A></DIV></BODY></HTML>