A/HRC/9/21 page 2 Executive summary The present report is submitted in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 7/13, in which the Council decided to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. This is the first annual report submitted to the Council by Najat Maalla M’jid, appointed Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography on 26 March 2008. In the present report, Ms. Maalla M’jid outlines her vision of the mandate and the working methods she intends to use, drawing on the work and experience of her three predecessors in the hope of making progress in implementing the mandate entrusted to her. In chapter I, the Special Rapporteur provides an account of her activities since her appointment. In chapter II, she defines the framework of her mandate and in chapter III she sets out her intended working methods and provides a detailed description of the methodology she intends to adopt in carrying out her mission: her approach will be participatory, based on coordination and consultation with all partners (Governments, national and international non-governmental organizations, special procedures of the Council, treaty bodies, United Nations specialized agencies, funds and programmes and other intergovernmental organizations, and the private sector). In her conclusions, contained in chapter V, the Special Rapporteur sets out the strategic direction of her action and the major areas she will focus on in order to achieve the objectives of her mission, which are as follows: (a) A better understanding of the situation of the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography and of contributory factors (socio-economic, cultural and environmental); (b) Implementation of a comprehensive child protection system that ensures the best interest of the child and encompasses prevention and care as well as medical, psychological, social and legal support for child victims and promotion of the rights of the child; (c) Effective and concerted national, regional and international coordination and cooperation.