Establishment and Purpose of the Conference of Cantonal Governments

1. The governments of the cantons establish a permanent "Conference of Cantonal Governments".

2. The purpose of this conference is to promote cooperation among the cantons within their areas of jurisdiction and to ensure the necessary coordination and information-sharing among the cantons on matters relevant to the federation, particularly concerning

- the renewal and further development of federalism;

- the division of responsibilities between the federation and the cantons;

- the formation of political will and decision preparation within the federation;

- the execution of federal tasks by the cantons;

- foreign and integration policy.

1. Members of the Conference of Cantonal Governments are the cantonal governments.

2. Each cantonal government is entitled to a seat in the Conference. The election and term of office are matters for the cantonal governments.

3. The cantonal governments may, while maintaining equal voting rights, send additional government representatives to the Conference. The representatives of the cantons may, in exceptional cases, be accompanied by staff members or experts.

1. The Federal Council is invited to participate in the meetings of the Conference of Cantonal Governments.

2. It may request the Conference of Cantonal Governments to provide advice and make decisions on matters affecting the interests of the cantons.

3. The Conference of Cantonal Governments ensures appropriate coordination with other institutions of vertical cooperation.

1. The Conference of Cantonal Governments cooperates with the Directors' Conferences and with the other inter-cantonal conferences.

**1. The Conference of Cantonal Governments comprises the following bodies:**

- the Plenary Conference, consisting of government representatives from all cantons;

- the Executive Committee, consisting of nine to eleven members;

- a permanent Secretariat, which is subordinate to the Executive Committee.

1. The Plenary Conference elects for a term of two years (with the possibility of re-election)

- the President;

- the Executive Committee.

2. It appoints the Secretariat.

3. It makes all other decisions not assigned to another body.

1. The Plenary Conference convenes annually for two regular sessions. The session dates are determined in advance by the Plenary Conference.

2. The members of the conference are invited to the sessions in writing at least ten days in advance.

3. Items for the agenda may be submitted by

- the Executive Committee;

- any cantonal government;

- the Directors' Conferences.

1. The plenary conference shall be convened for extraordinary sessions by the president upon request

- of the Executive Committee or

- of at least three cantons.

2. In cases of particular urgency,

- the invitation list according to Art. 7 para. 2 may be shortened;

- the form of the invitation may be simplified;

- resolutions may be passed by way of circulation, with Articles 9 and 10 being applied mutatis mutandis.

1. The plenary conference has a quorum when the representatives of at least eighteen cantonal governments are present.

2. Each cantonal government has one vote.

3. The plenary conference may regulate the further procedures in its rules of procedure.

1. If the Plenary Conference passes a resolution with the votes of eighteen cantonal governments, it is considered the position of the Conference of Cantonal Governments.

2. The right of the cantons to make their own statements remains preserved.

1. The Executive Committee is the supreme executive and management body of the Conference of Cantonal Governments. It handles the ongoing affairs and prepares the sessions of the Plenary Conference.

2. For the treatment of individual proposals or for the processing of larger areas of business, it may establish permanent or temporary expert commissions as well as appoint delegates.

1. The President shall convene the Executive Committee as often as business requires or upon the request of a member.

1. The Secretariat is responsible for the preparation of the meetings of the Plenary Conference and the Executive Committee, as well as the keeping of minutes.

2. It ensures adequate and ongoing information and documentation for the conference bodies, as well as the cantons and other interested parties.

1. The costs of the Conference of Cantonal Governments shall be borne by the cantons in accordance with their population size.

1. This agreement shall enter into force one month after the date on which all cantonal governments have declared their consent to the agreement in writing. The depository authority is the Executive Council of the Canton of Bern.

1. Immediately upon receipt of all written notifications regarding the consent, the Executive Council of the Canton of Bern shall inform the Federal Council of the agreement.

1. This agreement may be terminated by any canton at the end of the year with a notice period of six months by notifying the president.

2. After a termination, the conference shall review the possibilities for the continuation of this agreement.

1. This agreement is drafted in German, French, and Italian.

2. The cantonal governments shall ensure appropriate publication of the agreement.