In order to implement its strategy, PIANC organizes its technical-scientific activities through a number of commissions :

• Inland Navigation Commission (InCom)
• Maritime Navigation Commission (MarCom)
• Recreational Navigation Commission (RecCom)
• Environmental Commission (EnviCom).

PIANC organises its relations with and promotion activities in countries in transition through a separate commission:

• International Co-operation Commission (CoCom).

As a support for the General Secretariat a number of supporting commissions are established

• Finance Commission (FinCom)
• Editing Commission (EdCom).

Overall supervision of all commissions is provided by the Executive Committee (ExCom).

The AGA can appoint additional commissions on proposal of the ExCom.

Each member country is entitled to propose from their membership one representative and one alternate, who are both highly qualified, in each commission, to be appointed by the first delegate or his designee.

A member of a commission is appointed for a term of four years and can be reappointed for a maximum of two additional terms of four years. Upon request, the ExCom may accept re-appointment for an additional (fourth) term of four years in exceptional cases.

Members must commit themselves to:

• attend the meetings of the commissions on a regular basis
• execute the actions that are assigned to them

• help review working group reports, assuring their accordance with the approved terms of reference and with the high technical standards that PIANC wants to uphold

• provide advice when requested within a reasonable amount of time
• represent PIANC in events (within their country).

Associated sister organizations are entitled to nominate one representative and one alternate as a full member in accordance with signed agreements.

At its first meeting of the year, the ExCom shall review the membership of the commissions on the basis of the annual report of the chairperson.

If a member of a commission does not participate in the work to the expected/agreed extent, he/she will be replaced after consultation between the chairperson of the commission, the first delegate of the relevant member country and the General Secretariat.

The ExCom appoints chairpersons of commissions.

The appointment of chairpersons lasts four years. However, the appointment can be renewed for two further four year terms by the ExCom.

Commission chairpersons are not considered to represent their country, so their country is entitled to have a representative in addition to the chairperson.

Commissions can nominate a vice-chairperson among themselves who is appointed by the ExCom for a term ending two years after the chairperson’s term.

When the chairperson is not available, the vice-chairperson will act in his/her place.

The chairpersons are entitled to appoint a secretary.

The main activities of the technical commissions include:

• executing relevant parts of the Association’s Strategic Plan
• generating, managing, co-ordinating and supervising working groups
• proposing subjects for congresses and conferences
• taking initiatives to produce articles for the Magazine

• providing technical as well as non-technical information about the commission’s relevant activities in particular for the international website

• within their scope, implementing the agreements that PIANC signs with sister associations and in particular to take responsibility for the representation of PIANC in these associations’ commissions/committees dealing with similar subjects

• overseeing projects carried out by experts

• participating in relevant internal and external conferences, seminars, workshops, debates, …

• seeking funds, where appropriate and relevant, from other sources in co-operation with the Secretary-General, to support the activities of PIANC

• providing advice to the President or the General Secretariat on topics within their scope

• charging sub-commissions or task groups with specific tasks

The specific activities of the technical commissions include:

The main activities of the International Co-operation Commission (CoCom) include:

• executing relevant parts of PIANC’s Strategic Plan

• promoting PIANC’s presence and the dissemination of its know-how in countries in transition

• organising regional seminars and workshops

• organising regional PIANC programmes or other low-cost activities

• developing new tools for knowledge transfer

• developing networks with authorities and institutes in the countries or regions concerned

• closely co-operating, whenever possible, with CoCom’s counterparts in sister-organisations

• seeking outside funds in support of its activities.

The Finance Commission (FinCom) shall:

• ensure a sound financial management on a cost-effective basis in accordance with the statutes

• examine the financial transactions of the previous year, the audited accounts, the management of the portfolio and the overall financial situation of the association

• prepare the annual budget and pay special attention to the medium-term forecast of expenditures and receipts for the ensuing three years

• keep under review the accounting system of the Association and the allocation of funds to the various activities.

• co-operate closely with the Secretary-General of the Association.

The Editing Commission (EdCom) shall:

• make a judicious selection of the articles to appear in the Magazine following the guidelines for preparing PIANC publications

• strive for a good linguistic quality to be pursued by the authors

• through the Editing Officer at the General Secretariat, contact the various authors in order to inform them of the electronic text preparations as mentioned in the guidelines

• control the technical content layout and illustrations

• ensure the publication of three Magazines a year

The chairpersons of the technical commissions and the CoCom:

• are a member of the ExCom

• are responsible for the execution by the commission of the activities specified under para. 6

• appoint from their membership a liaison for the life of new working groups

• appoint the chairpersons of the working groups

• present the terms of reference for working groups to the ExCom for approval

• invite, if necessary, chairpersons of working groups to the commission meetings to report on the progress of the working group activities

• report in each ExCom-meeting the progress of the commission’s work

• submit an annual report to the General Secretariat before 1 February of each year to be presented at the AGA

• co-ordinate joint activities with colleagues from sister associations with which PIANC signed agreements

• represent the commission in the AGA and the ExCom

• instruct the chairperson and members of new working groups

The chairperson of the Finance Commission

• is a member of the ExCom
• attends the meetings of the AGA
• organises twice a year the Commission’s meetings

• convenes, in exceptional cases and after consultation with the Secretary-General, ad hoc meetings of the Commission in Brussels

• maintains close liaison with the Secretary-General

• prepares, after each meeting of the Commission, a financial report with conclusions and recommendations to the ExCom for submission to the AGA.

The chairperson of the Editing Commission

• organises twice a year the Commission’s meetings in Brussels

• convenes, in exceptional cases and after consultation with the Secretary-General, ad hoc meetings

• maintains close liaison with the Editing Officer at the General Secretariat

• ensures the publication of three Magazines a year

Commissions meet at least twice a year.

The Spring meetings (generally in February) will be held in Brussels on dates agreed with the General Secretariat in order to create possibilities of networking between the commissions.

The other meetings can be held anywhere. It is however recommended to strive for synergy with major events of PIANC and/or its sister associations in order to reduce travel expenses.

The meeting-schedule will be drawn up at least two years in advance and will be communicated to the General Secretariat, to be put on the website.

No costs connected with the activities of the commissions shall be chargeable to the Association, unless agreed by the General Secretariat.

The chairperson is entitled to choose the language of the discussions, in order to allow the largest possible participation.

All official documents (annual report, terms of reference, publications…) will be issued in both official languages of the Association.

The Secretary-General is an ex-officio member of all commissions and may attend their meetings.

The President is entitled to attend the meetings of the commissions.