The Reporting Procedure 4 Confirmation of dates for consideration of a report Once the report is submitted to the Secretariat, the State party should follow-up with the Secretariat on the date of review of the report in order to prepare for its review by the Treaty Body. The Treaty Bodies determine when the report is going to be considered, which usually follows the order of their submission. Once the date for consideration of a State party report has been set, an invitation is sent to the relevant authorities at least six months in advance of the proposed date. The Secretariat sends the invitation through the Permanent Mission of the State party to the United Nations in Geneva. If the State party does not have a permanent representation in Geneva, the invitation is sent through its Permanent Mission in New York. Example of an invitation of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women: The Secretary-General of the United Nations presents his compliments to the Permanent Representative of (the State party) to the United Nations Office in Geneva and has the honour of conveying to the Government of (the State party) the invitation of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women to present its (number) periodic report to the Committee, at its (number) session, which is scheduled to be held (dates) at the United Nations Office at Geneva. In accordance with the rules of procedure of the Committee, a State party is expected to be present at meetings of the Committee when its report is being examined, to participate in a constructive dialogue and answer questions from the Committee concerning the report. An indication of the date and time when the Committee intends to consider your country’s report will be communicated to you at a later stage. In accordance with the Committee’s practice, a List of Issues and questions relating to implementation of the Convention in the State party concerned will be prepared by the presessional working group of the Committee, based on the State party’s report and information received from United Nations entities, non-governmental organizations and other relevant sources. This list will be transmitted to the Permanent Mission of (the State party) shortly after the (number) session of the Committee in (date). The written replies of the State party to the List of Issues and questions must be submitted electronically in Word format to the Committee well in advance of the dialogue to allow for their timely translation into the three working languages of the Committee (English, French and Spanish). In addition, in view of concerns expressed by the United Nations Conference Services on the length and quality of submissions by State parties, it is recommended that all submissions are written in a clear and concise style. Written replies to the List of Issues and questions should not exceed 10,700 words. The Secretary General would be grateful if the Government of (the State party) could confirm to the Secretariat of the Committee, as soon as possible, but not later than (date), its availability to present its report at the (number) session of the Committee. The confirmation should be sent by note verbale to (name), Secretary of the Committee, at (e-mail). Owing to the considerable preparation and costs involved, the Committee discourages any request for postponement of the dialogue after (date). It further notes that any such requests must be justified. The Committee also reserves the right to examine a State party in the absence of a delegation, in accordance with Rule 51 of the Rules of Procedure of the Committee, if warranted. The Secretary-General of the United Nations avails himself of the opportunity to renew to the Permanent Representative of (the State party) to the United Nations Office at Geneva the assurance of his highest consideration. 49