<p>The GFAR Steering Committee met for the 6th time in Washington on October 24, 1999 in a closed session only contrary to previous meetings. Indeed, it had been decided that the GFAR open session that usually precedes the closed session, should this time be part of the NARS Steering Committee meeting agenda in order to get an opportunity to regional fora to present their on-going activities as well as the contribution they were preparing for GFAR-2000. This open session held in the context of the NARS SC was very well attended and provided an opportunity to have a very rich discussion among regional and sub-regional NARS representatives as well as between NARS and other GFAR stakeholders. Details of the meeting can be found in the minutes of the 6th NARS SC meeting. The GFAR SC meeting was then entirely devoted to decision-making process. Most of the agenda items related to the preparation for GFAR-2000.</p>