It is generally not possible for the Plenary (the full meeting) to deal with every aspect of the meeting agenda. It is normal practice to assign responsibility for particular issues to smaller groups which report their findings and make recommendations. It is common practice to establish one Committee to scrutinize the “Credentials”, the documents provided by their Governments as proof of the delegate’s authority to represent the country at the meeting and another to examine the budget proposals.

As explained the CMS COP operates through a decision-making Plenary attended by all delegates (with sessions at the start of the COP to elect officers and establish committees and a session at the end to adopt Resolutions) and a Committee of the Whole where the general business of the Conference is discussed in detail and which meets in parallel with other Committees and Working Groups.