This analysis responds to the COP 8 Decision, CP8/14: Strengthening the Operational Functioning of the Secretariat, and specifically to item 2, to prepare an analysis of the report on the strengthening the operational functioning of the secretariat, including, inter alia, the financial implications of the options contained in the report, proposals for secondment of staff by contracting parties and partners, proposals for utilizing the existing capacities of national institutions to advance the work of the Convention.