11. Conduct of Work and Adoption of Decisions: Discussions centred on the rule of consensus. Some delegations felt that the application of the rule of consensus had led to blockages in the past, and that its replacement by a qualified maioritv should be considered, particularly in procedural matters where no legitimate security interests of anv individual Member State were involved. Other delegations, felt that the problem lay not so much in the rule of consensus itself, as in a rigid application and interpretation bv members, which could lead to its becoming a virtual veto. Still others felt that in a negotiating body like the Conference, the rule of consensus was essential. 12. No consensus emerqed in favour of any change in the existing rule, though it was qenerally felt that some flexibility in its application by Member States was possible, particularly where vital national interests were not involved. 13. Organization of Work: Among the ideas which were discussed were: (a) the possibility of reducinq the overall number of plenary meetings, as well as the lenqth of interventions, with the objective of a better utilization of time and available facilities; (b) the possibility of imposing limits at the beqinning of the annual session on the time that could be spent on the establishment of subsidiary bodies and their mandates; and (c) a SDecific proposal for a Consultative Council of the Conference to be composed of well-known individuals and experts. 14. On the question of the overall number of plenary meetings, consensus emerged on havinq two plenary meetings a week, as at present, for the first two weeks (Weeks 1 and 2) and the last week (Week 10) of the first part of the annual session, the last week (Week 17) of the second part of the annual 
**Analysis**
This text appears to be discussing the organization and decision-making processes of a conference or meeting, focusing on issues such as consensus, decision-making rules, and the organization of work. The language used is formal and bureaucratic, suggesting that the conference is likely related to international diplomacy or governance. The topics discussed are not specific to a particular sector or industry, but rather are general in nature and applicable to a wide range of international meetings or conferences.

**Category**
International relations, Governance