Convention on the Conference of Cantonal Governments
Table of Provisions (18)
Statutory Text (18 Provisions)
1 The Cantonal Governments shall establish a permanent Conference of Cantonal Governments.
2 Its purpose is to promote cooperation among the Cantons in their respective spheres of competence and to ensure, in federal matters concerning the Cantons, the necessary coordination and information of the Cantons, particularly in the areas of
- the renewal and further development of federalism;
- the division of competences between the Confederation and the Cantons;
- the elaboration and preparation of decisions at the federal level;
- the execution of federal competences by the Cantons;
- foreign policy and integration policy.
1 The members of the Conference of Cantonal Governments are the Governments of the Cantons themselves.
2 Each Cantonal Government is entitled to one seat within the Conference; the choice of the representative and the determination of the duration of the mandate fall to the respective Cantonal Government.
3 Cantonal Governments may also send supplementary representatives to the Conference, provided that the principle of equal votes for individual Cantons is respected. Furthermore, Cantonal representatives may exceptionally 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 ask the Conference to discuss and decide on matters concerning the interests of the Cantons.
3 The Conference of Cantonal Governments shall ensure adequate coordination with other institutions of vertical cooperation.
The Conference of Cantonal Governments collaborates with the Conferences of Directors and with the other intercantonal Conferences.
The Conference of Cantonal Governments is constituted by the following bodies
- the Plenary Conference, composed of representatives of the Governments of all Cantons;
- the Steering Committee, composed of a minimum of seven and a maximum of nine members;
- a permanent secretariat, subordinate to the Steering Committee.
1 The Plenary Conference elects for a term of two years (re-election is possible)
- the president;
- the Steering Committee.
2 It designates the secretariat.
3 Furthermore, it takes all decisions that do not fall within the competence of another body.
1 The Plenary Conference generally meets twice a year. The dates of the ordinary assemblies are fixed in advance by the Plenary Conference.
2 Members of the Conference are convened in writing at least ten days before the ordinary assembly.
3 The following have the right to include agenda items
- the Steering Committee;
- each cantonal government;
- the Conferences of Directors.
1 The President may convene the Plenary Conference in an extraordinary assembly upon request
- of the Steering Committee or
- of at least three Cantons.
2 In cases of particular urgency
- the convocation periods, according to Art. 7 para. 2, may be shortened;
- the form of the convocation may be simplified;
- resolutions may be adopted by circular, applying by analogy Art. 9 and Art. 10 of this Convention.
1 The Plenary Conference is competent to make decisions regularly if representatives of at least eighteen Cantons are present.
2 Each Cantonal Government has the right to one vote.
3 The Plenary Conference may establish other procedural matters within the scope of its own rules of procedure.
1 If the Plenary Conference takes a decision supported by a majority of eighteen Cantons, this decision is considered to constitute the position of the Conference of Cantonal Governments.
2 The Cantons nevertheless retain the right to express their own opinions.
1 The Steering Committee is the highest executive and management body of the Conference of Cantonal Governments. It handles current affairs and prepares the assemblies of the Plenary Conference.
2 For the purpose of dealing with specific projects or elaborating on issues of greater importance, the Steering Committee may establish specialist commissions, whether permanent or ad hoc, or appoint mandataries.
The President convenes the Steering Committee whenever deemed necessary or upon the request of a member.
1 The Secretariat is responsible for preparing the sessions of the Plenary Conference and the Steering Committee, as well as for drawing up the minutes.
2 It undertakes to ensure adequate and continuous information, as well as to distribute documentation to the Conference bodies, the Cantons, and other interested parties.
The expenses of the Conference of Cantonal Governments are apportioned in proportion to the number of inhabitants of the individual Cantons.
This Convention shall enter into force one month after the day on which all cantonal Governments have ratified it in writing. The Council of State of the Canton of Bern shall be its depositary.
Immediately after examining all instruments of ratification, the State Council of the Canton of Bern brings the Convention to the attention of the Federal Council.
1 This Convention may be denounced by any Canton with six months' notice before the end of the calendar year, by sending a communication to the president.
2 Following a denunciation, the Conference shall examine the possibilities of maintaining this Convention in force.
1 The present Convention is drawn up in German, French, and Italian.
2 The cantonal governments shall ensure the appropriate publication of the present Convention.
Published in FO 1993, 423.