63. The Secretariat informed the Program and Budget Committee about the renovation of the WMO Building, which was purchased by WIPO and will be transferred to WIPO at the end of June this year. In sub-program 17.1 of the 2000-2001 draft Program and Budget, the Secretariat presented a two-step approach to the renovation, that is, a light make-over this year and a second and full renovation in 2003 after the completion of the new building. At the beginning of this year, we anticipated that this would be the most cost-effective approach because most facilities installed during the light make-over would be reused for the final renovation. However, we have learned that this will not be the case. A study by our consulting architects suggests that the light make-over would result in a loss of almost all money expended. It is now clear that the approach that was approved by the General Assembly in March 1998, that is, a one-time full renovation without interval, is indeed the most cost-effective solution. In conclusion, it is intended to proceed along the lines of this decision. This does not entail any change in the budget estimates nor the approved allocation under the Special Reserve Fund.
