A/HRC/15/56 II. Members of African mechanisms could be invited to attend the Human Rights Council sessions and participate in interactive dialogues, as well as to participate in human rights Treaty Body sessions regarding country considerations and thematic discussions III. The Human Rights Council may invite for cooperation appropriate African and sub regional human rights mechanisms to carry out monitoring and follow up activities regarding countries reviewed, at the request of and on behalf of the HRC IV. Joint field missions with African and UN mechanisms e.g. the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child should further explore the conduct of field visits to follow up on recommendations and holding joint meetings to discuss areas of mutual cooperation. V. The Human Rights Council Open-ended Working Group to explore the possibility of elaborating on an Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child will hold its first meeting in December 2009, and may benefit from the experience of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child that already has this procedure. VI. Thematic areas for mutual cooperation between special procedures mandate holders that have a similar mandate, e.g. The Special Rapporteurs on Human Rights Defenders: both UN and African SRs conducted joint missions and issued joint press releases, which led to greater visibity and gave more weight to their recommendations. VII. Cooperate with Special Procedures mechanisms to receive communications and send joint appeals. VIII. The Protocol for women’s rights under the African system and the complementarities with CEDAW could be further explored. IX. Cooperate in strengthening the participation of NHRIs and NGOs in regional and international human rights mechanisms. 9. Jointly carry out promotional and sensitization activities; disseminate, publicize and popularize jurisprudence, mechanisms and procedures in collaboration with relevant partners. 10. Discuss ways to cooperate to ensure greater access of individuals, civil society and NHRIs to the regional and African human rights mechanisms; ensure ratification of human rights instruments by States and fewer reservations, and encourage reporting and greater implementation of international obligations 11. Identify strategies to support follow up and implementation of all views, findings, conclusions and recommendations by international and regional mechanisms by State parties. Participants at the Regional Consultation: 12. Encouraged States parties to commit to providing sufficient support to the African regional human rights mechanisms; to fulfill their reporting obligations; and commit to implementing their human rights obligations at the national level, including by developing rules of procedures on the implementation of decisions and recommendations and identifying focal points for different ministries to follow up the same. 13. Encouraged States parties, regional and international human rights mechanisms to continue to enhance cooperation with NHRIs, human rights NGOs, civil society and the media. 23