1. The Working Party on Pollution and Energy (GRPE) held its seventy-second session from 12 to 15 January 2016, with Mr. C. Albus (Germany) as Chair and Mrs. R. Urdhwareshe (India) as Vice-Chair. Experts from the following countries participated in the work following Rule 1(a) of the Rules of Procedure of the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) (TRANS/WP.29/690, as amended): Belgium; Canada; China; Czech Republic; France; Germany; Hungary; India; Italy; Japan; Luxembourg; Netherlands; Poland; Republic of Korea (Korea); Russian Federation; South Africa; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) as well as the United States of America. Experts from the European Commission (EC) also participated. Experts from the following non-governmental organizations took part in the session: Association for Emissions Control by Catalyst (AECC); European Association of Automobile Suppliers (CLEPA/MEMA/JAPIA); European Federation for Transport and Environment (T&E); European Garage Equipment Association (EGEA); European Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association (AEGPL); International Association for Natural Gas Vehicles (IANGV/NGV Global); International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA); International Organization of Motor Vehicle Inspection Committee (CITA); International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA); Natural Gas Vehicles Association Europe (NGVA Europe); Technical Committee of Petroleum Additive Manufacturers in Europe (CEFIC-ATC) and The European Association of Internal Combustion Engine Manufacturers (EUROMOT).

2. The Chief of the Vehicle Regulations and Transport Innovations Section, Mr. W. Nissler, informed GRPE about the abolishment of four General Service (G) posts within the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) as decided by the UN General Assembly on 23 December 2015. He explained that a G post was abolished in the Vehicle Regulations and Transport Innovations Section since 1 January 2016 due to the immediate retirement of the current incumbent. He warned that this unfortunate situation may affect future services to be provided by the Section.

3. The Chair announced that he will not be in the position to continue chairing GRPE as of year 2017 and, therefore, he will no longer be a candidate at the next GRPE session in June 2016 for the election of officers for the year 2017.