3. The Committee of Ministers shall be chaired by the nominated Minister representing the country responsible for coordinating the transport, communications and meteorology sectors. 4. The functions of the Committee of Ministers shall include a) overall assessment of the adequacy of the transport, communications and meteorology networks to support economic growth and development in the Region: b) adopting a regional transport, communications and meteorology sector policy agenda and development strategies; c) considering and approving amendments to the agenda and strategies affecting matters of principle; d) providing policy guidance in response to matters referred to it by the Committee of Senior Officials; e) considering and approving the annual budget recommended by the Committee of Senior Officials for submission to the Council in the manner contemplated in Article 12 of the Treaty; f) approving implementation strategies co-ordinated and developed by the Committee of Senior Officials and sub-sectoral committees; g) considering and approving of the sectoral Annual Report for submission to the Council; h) submitting proposals to the Council for the amendment of the provisions of this Protocol; and i) approving new or amending existing annexes to this Protocol. ARTICLE 13.5 COMMITTEE OF SENIOR OFFICIALS 1. The members of the Committee of Senior Officials shall be the Permanent or Principal Secretaries, Secretaries, Directors-General, National Directors or officers of equivalent rank responsible for transport, communications and meteorology portfolios. 2. The Committee of Senior Officials shall meet at least twice per year. 3. The Committee of Senior Officials shall be chaired by the nominated official representing the country responsible for coordinating the sector. 4. The functions of the Committee of Senior Officials shall include a) reviewing existing policies and recommending a regional policy agenda and development strategies and monitoring the implementation thereof by the sub-sectoral committees contemplated in Article 13.6 of this Protocol; b) assessing the requirements of and the need for the updating and amendment of the regional policy agenda and development strategies;