• Directs the Scientific Committee to continue to improve its work towards conservation-related matters including an increasing allocation of funding for conservation oriented research, such as investigation on conservation or mitigation measures, while taking into consideration other core activities as provided for by the Convention.
• Agrees to establish a working group between the Conservation Committee and the Scientific Committee in order to propose a procedure to facilitate the implementation and follow-up of conservation recommendations.
• Directs the Working Group on Operational Effectiveness and Cost Saving Measures to provide for closer engagement of the Commission in the setting of the Scientific Committee's work plans by formulating advice to the Scientific Committee on; i) research priorities and any specific advice the Commission may require at its next meeting; ii) the Scientific Committee's two-year detailed work plans particularly where it will assist the Scientific Committee in scheduling activities and reporting over its two following annual meetings.
• Requests the Scientific Committee, including its sub-Committees and working groups, to improve reporting efficiency by providing consolidated reports covering the two-year intersessional period wherever possible.
• Instructs the Secretariat to annually prepare a compilation of concerns and recommendations expressed by the Scientific Committee related to conservation aspects and to forward it to contracting and non-contracting governments, intergovernmental organisations and other entities as appropriate, at the same time drawing their attention to any particular advice contained therein and offering more detailed advice if that should be sought.
• Adopts the amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Commission contained in the Annex II to this Resolution.
• Forwards to the Scientific Committee the proposed amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Scientific Committee in Annex III for their consideration, with a view to adopting amended rules at the Commission's next meeting after considering advice from the Scientific Committee.
• Consolidates the mandate of the Small Cetacean Standing Sub-Committee by adopting the following terms of reference: Review the distribution and stock structure of small cetaceans, Review information on the status of the stocks of small cetaceans and provide an assessment of the threats to the stocks concerned, Advice on ways in which those threats can be eliminated or mitigated, Review developments to topics and recommendations that were subject of previous reports, Coordinate with other Scientific Committee sub-committees and working groups, where appropriate, to further address topics related to environmental concerns, whale watching, RMP, AWMP, human induced mortality, among others.

• Reaffirms the important role of civil society participation in its proceedings and in ensuring that the IWC remains an open, transparent and fully accountable organisation.
• Adopts the amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Commission contained in the Annexes to this Resolution.

•  Decides to seek enhanced collaboration in the conservation of migratory cetaceans with other intergovernmental organisations whose co-operation is essential to secure the lasting protection of these species in the world ocean.
• Requests the Secretariat to conduct consultations and develop a draft work plan with regard to sharing of data and research priorities.
• Invites Contracting Parties to raise the need for increased international collaboration regarding highly migratory cetaceans in relevant international fora, with a view to contributing to the conservation efforts of the IWC.
• Decides to review progress at the 66th Meeting of the Commission.

Noting that 2016 is the 70ᵗʰ anniversary of agreement to the International Convention for the
Regulation of
Whaling;

Recognising that there are different views concerning the priority of the Commission's objectives
and mandates among Commission member states due to the different positions on whales and whaling;

Notwithstanding the difference in positions, aware of the importance of ensuring the Commission's
institutional and governance arrangements are aligned with best practice for contemporary
multilateral treaty bodies;

Acknowledging the progress the Commission has made in this respect, including through inter a/ia,
strengthening the Finance and Administration Committee, moving to a biennial meeting pattern,
establishing a Bureau to facilitate the work of the Commission during the intersessional period,
enhancing the role of civil society in the Commission and creating an Operational Effectiveness
Working Group;

Recognising that the Commission's continued effectiveness is contingent upon further reform;

Noting that a more comprehensive review of the Commission's institutional and governance
arrangements will enable the efficient prioritisation of opportunities for reform;

Further noting that independent reviews are best practice in multilateral treaty bodies, and have
been used to strengthen institutional and governance arrangements in a number of organisations.

Now, therefore the Commission:

Agrees to a comprehensive, independent review of the Commission's institutional and governance
arrangements, based on Terms of Reference contained in the annex to this Resolution;

Calls upon Contracting Governments to make voluntary contributions to support this review;

Agrees to establish, during the 66th meeting of the Commission, a Steering Group of Contracting
Governments representing a range of views and interests to select a panel to conduct the review in
the intersessional period;

Agrees that the review will be conducted by a panel of three independent reviewers selected by the
Steering Group, in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair ofthe Commission, following a limited
tender application processl;

Agrees that the review panel submit a report to the Executive Secretary, in accordance with the
Terms of Reference contained in the annex to this Resolution, for discussion at the 67th meeting of
the Commission;

Agrees that the Secretariat circulates the report to Contracting Governments and Accredited
Observers, and to the Working Group on Operational Effectiveness; and

Requests that the Working Group on Operational Effectiveness consider the report and submit a
proposal to guide the Commission in responding to the recommendations of the review at least 60
days in advance of the 67th meeting of the Commission.

¹ Limited tender means seeking applications from a small number of suitably qualified people or
organisations as opposed to a process open to any applicants.