In accordance with the procedure established by the Committee on Conferences at its 423rd meeting , on 1 September 1999 , as reflected in paragraphs 172 to 175 of A/54/32 , and amended in paragraph 10 of A/56/32 , non-members who wish to participate as observers are invited to send a request in writing to Ms. Liya Zhang , Secretary of the Committee on Conferences ( e-mail zhangl @ un.org ) . United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women ( UN-Women ) Annual session 2013