Australia-UAE CEPA Chapter 23 Administrative and Institutional Provisions

Article 23.1 Joint Committee

1. The Parties hereby establish a Joint Committee, which shall be composed of government representatives of the Parties at the level of Ministers or senior officials.
2. The Joint Committee shall meet within one year from the entry into force of this Agreement. Thereafter, it shall meet every two years unless the Parties agree otherwise.
3. The meetings of the Joint Committee shall take place in the United Arab Emirates or Australia alternately, unless otherwise agreed by the Parties. The Joint Committee, and any subcommittees, working groups or other subsidiary bodies, may meet in person or by other appropriate means of communication, as agreed by the Parties.
4. Special meetings of the Joint Committee may, on request of a Party, also be convened as agreed by the Parties.
5. The Joint Committee shall establish its own rules of working procedures at its first meeting.

Article 23.2 Functions of the Joint Committee

1. The Joint Committee shall:
   1. review and assess the implementation and operation of this Agreement;
   2. consider any matter relating to the implementation or operation of this Agreement;
   3. consider any proposal by either Party to amend or modify this Agreement and recommend any amendments or modifications to this Agreement;
   4. without prejudice to Chapter 25 (Dispute Settlement), endeavour to resolve differences that may arise from the interpretation or application of this Agreement;
   5. supervise, guide and coordinate the work of any subcommittees, working groups and other subsidiary bodies established in accordance with paragraph 2(c), and recommend any necessary action to those subcommittees, working groups or other subsidiary bodies;
   6. as appropriate, issue interpretations of this Agreement;
   7. consistent with the objectives of this Agreement, explore ways to enhance further trade and investment between the Parties and to further the objectives of this Agreement; and
   8. carry out any other function or take any other action as the Parties may agree.
2. The Joint Committee may:
   1. adopt decisions or make recommendations in accordance with this Agreement;
   2. recommend any amendments or modifications to this Agreement;
   3. establish, refer matters to, or consider matters raised by, any subcommittee, working group or other subsidiary body;
   4. restructure, reorganise or dissolve any subcommittee, working group or other subsidiary body established in accordance with paragraph 2(c);
   5. determine the functions of any subcommittee, working group or other subsidiary body established in accordance with paragraph 2(c); and
   6. as it considers appropriate, amend its own rules of working procedures referred to in paragraph 5 of Article 23.1 (Joint Committee).
3. The Joint Committee shall adopt decisions or make recommendations by consensus.

Article 23.3 Communications

1. Each Party shall designate an overall contact point to receive and facilitate official communications between the Parties on any matter relating to this Agreement.
2. Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, each Party shall notify the other Party in writing of its designated overall contact point no later than 60 days after the date of entry into force of this Agreement. Each Party shall promptly notify the other Party, in writing, of any changes to its overall contact point.
3. A Party's contact point shall, on request of the other Party, identify the office or official responsible for the relevant matter and assist, as necessary, in facilitating communication with the other Party.
4. All official communications in relation to this Agreement shall be in the English language.