The Support Group to the Chair of the International Whaling Commission (IWC), which is charged with recommending reforms for the future of the IWC, held a positive and constructive meeting in Santiago, Chile. The eleven-day meeting ended today. The group comprises 12 of the 88 IWC member countries, which represents a broad cross section of the membership.

“We have not completed the discussions on possible reforms that would assist the Small Working Group of the Commission,” said Cristian Maquieira, the Chair of IWC, “but we hope to do so after one further meeting of the Support Group.”

The group in Santiago discussed in depth a number of topics including a shared vision for the future of the IWC that focuses the work of the Commission on improved whale conservation and management.

Maquieira said the Support Group will convene again before the end of the year and the product of that meeting will be discussed in the Small Working Group now set for March of next year. This schedule, Maquieira believes, will give ample time for governments and the public to review and discuss the matter prior to the next annual meeting of the IWC to be held in Agadir, Morocco in June 2010.

“I am confident that a solid platform is being built that may produce a viable proposal for consideration by the Small Working Group,” said Maquieira.

Last Updated ( Friday, 16 October 2009 )