A/HRC/9/18 page 11 33. A remote camera system is being installed in Conference Room XX of the Palais des Nations, which is presently under renovation. This has been designated as the standing location for Human Rights Council meetings, and the suitability of that system for webcast purposes is being explored. The viability of the system will be tested later this year. 34. However, to ensure a year-round ability to provide high-quality broadcast and webcast coverage, a major investment in cameras and production equipment and facilities will be required. The purchase of fixed camera coverage equipment would coincide with major technological changes in the television industry. Standard definition facilities are giving way to the sharper quality “high-definition”, or HD, equipment. The new fixed-camera coverage installation will necessitate a change in the whole television production line from standard-definition to high-definition equipment. 2. The webcast component 35. Whatever option is selected for filming, a permanent webcasting capacity will require the creation of a well-staffed and equipped webcast section to handle the transmission and archiving of the meetings. For the Human Rights Council alone, this is expected to involve 26 weeks of meetings a year. As noted above, there is a growing demand for the webcasting of other major activities at UNOG as well, including possibly human rights treaty bodies. For the moment, except in rare cases in which special financing is available, these services cannot be provided. 36. In order to meet these requirements, the creation of a permanent webcast structure is envisaged to enable the simultaneous coverage of two events: e.g. the Human Rights Council and press conferences or briefings in English, French and the original language of the speaker. Coverage of any other meetings, bodies or events would only be possible when the Council is not in session. It should also be noted that webcasting of treaty body meetings would require additional infrastructure at the Palais Wilson, where most of those meetings are held, as well as more staff and equipment at the Palais des Nations. 37. The proposed study on a permanent webcasting capacity at the United Nations Office at Geneva, referred to in the report of the Secretary-General on budgetary matters (A/62/125) submitted to the General Assembly in 2007, remains the best way to accurately determine the actual needs for the establishment of such a capacity. In the absence of the Assembly’s approval of the funding for the Human Rights Council webcast requirements, DPI identified with some difficulty other resources to conduct that essential study, which is now being initiated. This will entail a detailed examination of the facilities and equipment that are already available, including the proposed facilities in Conference Room XX at the Palais des Nations as well as a determination of additional equipment and staffing needs. After a thorough analysis of these elements a final proposal, including the resources required, will be presented for consideration by the General Assembly. III. CONCLUSION 38. It is an unassailable fact that the demand for conference services for the Human Rights Council and its machinery is growing. In recognition of the increase of some 508 meetings per year, permanent posts for one full extra team of interpreters (20 posts) at the United Nations Office at Geneva were authorized by the General Assembly

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