A/HRC/10/87 page 4 the Ad Hoc Committee on Complementary Standards for organizing the work of the Committee in a way that enabled the Intergovernmental Working Group to hold a meeting on 18 December 2008 in order to conclude its sixth session and adopt the report. C. Election of the Chairperson-Rapporteur 7. Speaking on behalf of the Group of Asian States, the representative of China expressed his appreciation to the outgoing Chairperson-Rapporteur, Juan Martabit, Permanent Representative of Chile to the United Nations Office at Geneva, for his outstanding leadership and personal contribution to the work of the Intergovernmental Working Group. The Chinese delegate thereafter submitted as a candidate for nomination Dayan Jayatilleka, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office at Geneva. He stressed the appropriateness of Mr. Jayatilleka to serve as Chairperson-Rapporteur in light of his strong academic background, rich experience and personal integrity. The Chinese delegate referred to the expertise of Mr. Jayatilleka in the field of policymaking and his experience at the International Labour Organization. The delegate reiterated his confidence that the election of Mr. Jayatilleka would contribute to the effective implementation of the mandate of the Working Group. 8. Speaking on behalf of the Group of African States, the representative of Egypt supported the nomination of Dayan Jayatilleka for the post, stressing the ambassador’s relevant experience and appropriate expertise in the field. Like the representative of China, the representative of Egypt stated that, as Chairperson-Rapporteur, Mr. Jayatilleka would contribute to the effective implementation of the mandate of the Working Group. Considering that there was no objection to the nomination of Mr. Jayatilleka, the ambassador was declared elected by acclamation as Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Intergovernmental Working Group. 9. In his opening address, the Chairperson-Rapporteur expressed his appreciation to his predecessor, Juan Martabit. In so doing, he paid tribute to the work achieved by Mr. Martabit in shouldering the onerous task of the Working Group. The Chairperson-Rapporteur thanked the delegates and representatives of regional groups for nominating him and acknowledged the responsibility and importance of the mandate and work of the Working Group. 10. The Chairperson-Rapporteur asserted that it would have been morally impossible for him not to heed to the invitations of the African and Asian Groups to chair this very important Working Group. He referred to both specific and broad examples of the struggle of people of African descent towards freedom and emancipation. The Chairperson-Rapporteur stated that everyone had a responsibility to engage in the struggle against racism and its related ills, as they affect all people. 11. The Chairperson-Rapporteur elaborated further on the importance of the Intergovernmental Working Group in fulfilling its mandate and encouraged Member States to debate the issues before the Working Group extensively in order to develop appropriate and relevant contributions and recommendations to the Preparatory Committee for the Durban Review Conference. The Chairperson-Rapporteur stressed the need to identify the real and concrete issues embedded in the struggle against racism and stressed his commitment to ensuring that the goals established