The work cycle of the Commission revolves around preparation for the Annual Meeting and then administering the decisions taken during those meetings. This cycle may be interspersed with smaller intersessional meetings of a specialized nature (e.g. scientific workshops). The Annual Meeting is held either by invitation in any member country (host government), or in the UK – the Secretariat’s base.

The Annual Meeting comprises three parts:

• A meeting of IWC’s Scientific Committee – usually around two weeks in length and attended by approximately 160 scientists;
• Meetings of the Commission’s sub-committees – usually around 4 days and attended by approximately 250 people;
• Annual Commission Meeting – 4-5 days and attended by around 350 people including government delegates (some high ranking, such as Ministers, Ambassadors), observers from non-member governments, other intergovernmental organizations, and non-government organizations (NGOs), and the press/media;

By following the links below you will be taken to pages relating to all meetings since 2000.