A/HRC/21/51 mandate holders highlighted the fact that the road map had triggered discussions on a number of initiatives, including the arrangement of seminars on issues of common interest. 45. Reference was made to the importance of recognizing the complementarity of the two systems. The need to systematically follow up on recommendations made by the special procedures of each system was emphasized. The special procedures of the African Commission underlined the value they could add to the work of the special procedures of the Human Rights Council, especially in terms of local knowledge and expertise. The information from the African Commission was considered to be vital for the universal periodic review, and the recommendations made by special procedures of the United Nations could be sent to the Commission for promotion and inclusion in discussions of the periodic reports submitted by States. The need to enhance cooperation in communications was also discussed, although the details and modalities for this would require further discussion, particularly as the time frame for the public disclosure of communications in the African system was shorter than that of the special procedures of the United Nations. 46. Noting the significant progress that had already been made in the implementation of the road map, the mandate holders highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation on thematic areas of common interest, including forced disappearances, arbitrary detention, education, indigenous peoples, internally displaced persons, slavery, summary executions, discrimination against women, children’s rights, and trafficking in persons. It was noted that the African Commission would celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary at its fifty-second session, and that this was an opportunity for further collaboration between United Nations and African special procedures. Relevant country mandate holders also expressed interest in exploring further ways of cooperation with the African Commission within the framework of the road map. The mandate holders of the African Commission noted the need for further support for its secretariat in order for the partnership to be maintained. 47. The mandate holders agreed to continue to exchange information and thanked the secretariats for the documents provided, including the forecast of activities of both systems. They decided to continue to work towards the identification of joint activities to be undertaken and resolved to review the road map at the next dialogue between mandate holders of the Human Rights Council and the African Commission, to be held in 2013, subject to the availability of resources. Encouraged by the progress made in implementation of the road map, the mandate holders expressed an interest in the development of modalities to strengthen their collaboration with other regional human rights systems. C. Civil society and non-governmental organizations 48. Opening the exchange of views with civil society organizations and nongovernmental organizations, the Chairperson raised the question of how special procedures could strengthen cooperation and communication with civil society organizations. The Chairperson noted that threats and acts of reprisal against civil society organizations that cooperate with mandate holders or other parts of the United Nations system were serious concerns. 49. The representatives of civil society organizations expressed their appreciation for the work of the mandate holders and encouraged them to dedicate more time to meeting with civil society, suggesting that they should meet earlier during the annual meeting in the future. They suggested that enhanced cooperation by States was required, as low response rates to communications and negative responses by States to requests for visits, including those that had issued standing invitations, were matters of concern. They encouraged the mandate holders to include information on cooperation with States in their annual reports. To address lack of cooperation by States, the mandate holders could send joint reminders, issue press releases or made direct reference to this at Council sessions. Civil society 14