shall, when it seems appropriate, also make use of information from other relevant international organizations. Secretariat Article 11 The Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Europe shall carry out, for the Executive Body, the following secretariat functions: (a) to convene and prepare the meetings of the Executive Body; (b) to transmit to the Contracting Parties reports and other information received in accordance with the provisions of the present Convention; (c) to discharge the functions consigned by the Executive Body. Amendments to the Convention Article 12 1. Any Contracting Party may propose amendments to the present Convention. 2. The text of proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Europe, who shall communicate them to all Contracting Parties. The Executive Body shall discuss proposed amendments at its next annual meeting provided that such proposals have been circulated by the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Europe to the Contracting Parties at least 90 days in advance. 3. An amendment to the present Convention shall be adopted by consensus of the representatives of the Contracting Parties, and shall enter into force for the Contracting Parties which have accepted it on the 90th day after the day on which two-thirds of the Contracting Parties have deposited their instruments of acceptance with the depositary. Thereafter, the amendment shall enter into force for any other Contracting Party on the 90th day after the date on which that Contracting Party deposits its instrument of acceptance of the amendment. Settlement of disputes Article 13 If a dispute arises between two or more Contracting Parties to the present Convention as to the interpretation or application of the Convention, they shall seek asolution by negotiation or by any other method of dispute settlement acceptable to the Parties to the dispute. Signature Article 14 1. The present Convention shall be open for signature at the United Nations of Geneva from 13 to 16 November 1979 on the occasion of the High-level Meeting within the framework of the Economic Commission for Europe on the Protection of the Environment, by the member States of the Economic Commission for Europe as well as States having consultative status with the Economic Commission for Europe, pursuant to paragraph 8 of Economic and Social Council Resolution 36 (IV) of 28 March 1947, and by regional economic integration organizations, constituted by sovereign States, members of the Economic Commission for Europe, which have competence in respect of the negotiation, conclusion and application of international agreements in matters covered by the present Convention. 2. In matters within their competence, such regional economic integration organizations shall, on their own behalf, exercise the rights and fulfil the responsibilities which the present Convention attributes to their member States of these organizations shall not be entitled to exercise such rights individually. Ratification, acceptance, approval and accession Article 15 1. The present Convention shall be subject to ratification, acceptance or approval. 2. The present Convention shall be open for accession as from 17 November 1979 by the States and organizations referred to in Article 14 (1). 3. The instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who will perform the functions of the depositary. Entry into force Article 16 1. The present Convention shall enter into force on the 90th day after the date of deposit of the 24th instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession. 2. For each Contracting Party which ratifies, accepts or approves the present Convention or accedes thereto after the deposit of the 24th instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, the Convention shall enter into force on the 90th day after the date of deposit by such Contracting Party of its instrument of ratification, acceptance. approval or accession. Withdrawal Article 17 At any time after five years from the date on which the present Convention has come into force with respect to a Contracting Party, that Contracting Party may withdraw from the Convention by giving written notification to the depositary. Any such withdrawal shall take effect on the 90th day after the date of its receipt by the depositary. Authentic texts Article 18 The original of the present Convention, of which the English, French and Russian texts are equally authentic, shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations. RESOLUTION on long-range transboundary air pollution The Signatories to the Convention on long-range transboundary air pollution of 13 November 1979, Decide that they shall, within the framework of the Economic Commission for Europe and the Senior Advisers to ECE Governments on Environmental Problems, initiate, as soon as possible and on an interim basis, the provisional implementation of the Convention on long-range transboundary air pollution ; they undertake to carry out the obligations arising from the Convention to the maximum extent possible pending its entry into force; Agree that the necessary authority should be given to the Economic