Term of office Rule 17 The officers of the Committee shall be elected for a term of two years and be eligible for re-election provided that the principle of rotation is upheld. None of them, however, may hold office if she or he ceases to be a member of the Committee. Functions of the Chairperson Rule 18 1. The Chairperson shall perform the functions conferred upon her or him by these rules of procedure and the decisions of the Committee. 2. In the exercise of those functions the Chairperson shall remain under the authority of the Committee. 3. The Chairperson shall represent the Committee at United Nations meetings in which the Committee is officially invited to participate. If the Chairperson is unable to represent the Committee at such a meeting, she or he may designate another officer of the Committee or, if no officer is available, another member of the Committee, to attend on her or his behalf. Absence of the Chairperson at meetings of the Committee Rule 19 1. If the Chairperson is unable to be present at a meeting or any part thereof, she or he shall designate one of the Vice-Chairpersons to act in her or his place. 2. In the absence of such a designation, the Vice-Chairperson to preside shall be chosen according to the names of the Vice-Chairpersons as they appear in English alphabetical order. 3. A Vice-Chairperson acting as a Chairperson shall have the same powers and duties as the Chairperson. Replacement of officers Rule 20 If any of the officers of the Committee ceases to serve or declares her or his inability to continue serving as a member of the Committee or for any reason is no longer able to act as an officer, a new officer from the same region shall be elected for the unexpired term of her or his predecessor. 102