Rule 13 Elections

13.1 The Committee, at the end of each ordinary session, shall elect, from among those Committee Members whose term continues through the next ordinary session, a Chairperson, one or more Vice-Chairpersons and a Rapporteur who shall remain in office until the end of that session.

13.2 In case of an extraordinary session, the Committee shall elect a Chairperson, one or more Vice-Chairpersons and a Rapporteur who shall remain in office until the end of that session.

13.3 The Chairperson, the Vice-Chairpersons and the Rapporteur shall be eligible for immediate re-election for a second term of office, provided that the country that each represents continues to be a State Member of the Committee at least until the end of the new term of office.

13.4 In electing the Bureau, the Committee shall have due regard to the need to ensure equitable geographical representation and, inasmuch as possible, a balance among the various fields of the intangible cultural heritage.

Rule 14 Duties of the Chairperson

14.1 In addition to the powers conferred upon him/her elsewhere by these Rules, the Chairperson shall open and close each plenary meeting of the Committee. He/She shall direct the discussions, ensure observance of these Rules, accord the right to speak, put questions to the vote and announce decisions. He/She shall rule on points of order and, subject to these Rules, shall see to the smooth conduct of the proceedings and the maintenance of order. He/She shall not vote, but he/she may instruct another member of his/her delegation to vote on his/her behalf. He/She shall exercise all other duties entrusted to him/her by the Committee.

14.2 A Vice-Chairperson acting as Chairperson shall have the same powers and duties as the Chairperson.

14.3 The Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson(s) of a subsidiary body of the Committee shall have the same duties in regard to the bodies over which they are called upon to preside as the Chairperson or the Vice-Chairperson(s) of the Committee.

Rule 15 Replacement of Chairperson

15.1 If the Chairperson is unable to act at any session of the Committee or Bureau, or part thereof, his/her functions shall be exercised by a Vice-Chairperson.

15.2 If the Chairperson ceases to represent a State Member of the Committee or is for any reason unable to complete his/her term of office, he/she shall be replaced by a ViceChairperson, after consultation within the Committee, for the remainder of the term of office.

15.3 The Chairperson shall abstain from exercising his/her functions for all issues relating to an element of the intangible cultural heritage present in the territory of the State Party of which he/she is a national.

Rule 16 Replacement of the Rapporteur

16.1 If the Rapporteur is unable to act at any session of the Committee or Bureau, or part thereof, his/her functions shall be exercised by a Vice-Chairperson.

16.2 If the Rapporteur ceases to represent a State Member of the Committee or if he/she is for any reason unable to complete his/her term of office, he/she shall be replaced by a Vice-Chairperson, after consultation within the Committee, for the remainder of the term of office.

VI Conduct of Business

Rule 17 Quorum

17.1 At plenary meetings, a quorum shall consist of a majority of the States Members of the Committee.

17.2 At meetings of subsidiary bodies, a quorum shall consist of a majority of the States which are members of the bodies concerned.

17.3 Neither the Committee nor its subsidiary bodies shall decide on any matter unless a quorum is present.

Rule 18 Public meetings

Meetings shall be held in public unless decided otherwise by the Committee. This rule may not be suspended by the Bureau.

Rule 19 Private meetings

19.1 When in exceptional circumstances, the Committee decides to hold a private meeting, it shall determine the persons who, in addition to the representatives of the States Members, shall be present.

19.2 Any decision taken by the Committee at a private meeting shall be presented in written form at a subsequent public meeting.

19.3 At each private meeting, the Committee shall decide whether the summary record and working documents of that meeting shall be published. Documents resulting from private meetings shall be made public after a period of twenty years.