A/HRC/15/56 B. Cooperation tools 20. While all participants agreed on the need to improve cooperation, approaches differed regarding the degree of institutionalization of cooperation. The African and the Inter-American systems of human rights, as well as subregional human rights mechanisms in Africa and several NGOs and NHRIs were in agreement that cooperation between the United Nations system and regional and subregional mechanisms needed to be institutionalized. 21. The Council of Europe encouraged a pragmatic approach that built on existing initiatives of cooperation. Similarly, ODIHR proposed that day-to-day information sharing be reinforced. 22. It was generally agreed that different mandates are not an obstacle for systematic and formalized cooperation between human rights mechanisms. Cooperation should be oriented towards the strengthening of existing cooperation initiatives with a view to making them more efficient. For instance, it was noted that information provided by the Inter-American human rights system to the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture had been available on the Subcommittee’s internal web page for the last three years which facilitated its decisions on country visits. This information was used by the Subcommittee before deciding what visits to conduct in the region. It is important that similar best practices are broadly disseminated. 1. International 23. There is a need for international, regional and subregional human rights mechanisms to agree on basic cooperation arrangements. (a) Focal points The majority of the participants agreed that one of the first steps towards enhancing cooperation between international and regional human rights mechanisms is the appointment of high-level focal points in OHCHR and in each regional or subregional human rights mechanism. Focal points will regularly communicate with one another and will outline a workplan, including activities to be implemented in a determined time frame, identifying the objectives, activities, timelines and responsibilities of each mechanism. The workplan will be prepared in consultation with all human rights mechanisms and subsequently with States, NGOs and NHRIs. Focal points should regularly inform their respective mechanisms about their activities and responsibilities. (b) Regular meetings International, regional and subregional human rights mechanisms, governments, NHRIs and NGOs should hold biannual meetings to discuss sharing of information and joint activities, focusing on thematic priorities. This process will be dynamic and fed by all relevant stakeholders by establishing specific objectives, timelines and expected outcomes of cooperation on each topic. For instance, sharing of information and joint activities on topics such as human rights defenders, discrimination, and economic, social and cultural rights will be discussed so as to advance cooperation with a thematic focus. In addition, during these meetings focal points should report on their activities indicating results achieved and challenges faced by them in implementing their plan of work. Meetings could be held in different regions in order to reach out to as many regional and national actors as possible. OHCHR stands ready to coordinate the organization of these meetings on a regular basis. Adequate human and financial resources should be allocated to OHCHR for this endeavour. 7