134. The representative of European Union, co-sponsor of the UN GTR on HFCV, informed AC.3 that the first meeting of the IWG of Phase 2 was held in October 2017 in Brussels. More than forty participants took part in the productive and successful meeting. He highlighted the involvement of Japan and the United States of America as Co-Chairs, and China and the Republic of Korea as Co-Vice-Chairs. He reaffirmed that the European Union would continue to contribute actively to the work of the IWG, and invited other Contracting Parties to participate actively in its activities.

135. The representative of Japan, Co-Chair of the IWG, expressed their commitment to continue collaboration on activities and announced that the next meeting of the group would be held in February 2018.

136. The representative of the United States of America, Co-Chair of the IWG, thanked OICA for their work as secretary of the IWG. He informed AC.3 that the outcomes of the October Brussels meeting of the IWG included the drafting of the Terms of Reference for the IWG, which would be submitted to GRSP for review. In addition, during the meeting representatives of Contracting Parties and the industry reported on their activities with regard to hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles, namely regulations and industry standards, respectively. He confirmed that the next meeting of the IWG would be held in February, and hosted by the United States of America.