In 2020 the Commission agreed that a joint e-group with participants from SCAF and the Scientific Committee would be established to finalise the terms of reference for the General Science Capacity Fund (GSCF) for presentation in 2021 (CCAMLR-39, paragraph 4.12).

Members will recall that initial discussions were held on this in 2019 following consideration by the Scientific Committee and SCAF of draft Terms of Reference for the fund (SC-CAMLR-38, paragraphs 11.2 to 11.7; CCAMLR-39, Annex 7, paragraph 48).

The terms of reference that were considered at that meeting have been revised taking into account the comments of both the Scientific Committee and SCAF.

The Chairs of SCAF and the Scientific Committee have asked the Secretariat to initiate a General Science Capacity Fund e-group for further comment.