A/HRC/10/31 page 17 collaboration with the Department of Public Information, has launched a dedicated Durban Review Conference website to highlight the objectives of the Review Conference and to keep all stakeholders of the Durban process updated. In a similar vain, OHCHR is producing regular Durban Review Conference updates containing an overview of progress in the preparations for the Conference. An E-bulletin with information of specific interest to civil society is also being produced regularly. Furthermore, in accordance with decision PC.3/103 of the Preparatory Committee, I am preparing a report for the Review Conference on the activities undertaken and further steps to be taken by my Office in the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and relevant decisions of the General Assembly and the Council (and formerly the Commission on Human Rights) adopted as a follow-up to the Durban World Conference of 2001. 68. I have highlighted my concerns with regard to the need to ensure broad participation in the activities related to the Review Conference. With this objective in mind, I have been meeting with various delegations and regional groups conveying the need to accommodate diversity of opinion and promoting participation. The Office has also engaged in an inter-agency cooperation exercise to encourage participation of the United Nations agencies in the Durban Review Conference preparatory process. On 21 October 2008, the Office held a first meeting with United Nations agencies and programmes (the United Nations Population Fund, ILO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) in Geneva, at which a framework of cooperation was agreed upon. Agencies based outside Geneva (the Pan American Health Organization, the United States Agency for International Development, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the United Nations Development Fund for Women, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean and the United Nations Environment Programme), have since been integrated in the process. The agencies in question agreed to hold regular meetings, share updates on developments and participate in activities connected to the Review Conference. They expressed their intention to organize jointly side events before and/or during the Review Conference. 69. Within the limited resources available, the Office facilitated the participation of representatives of least developed countries, treaty bodies and special procedures in the regional preparatory meetings for Africa (in Abuja) and Latin America (in Brasilia). Limited financial contributions were also provided to representatives of national human rights institutions and nongovernmental organizations to participate in regional preparatory meetings. Similarly, and with a view to support the constructive engagement of civil society in the Durban review process, the Office will provide travel support to some non-governmental organizations, national human rights institutions and delegates from least developed countries to facilitate their participation in the Review Conference, in April 2009. 70. Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance are global problems which must be of concern to all. We owe a frank debate and concrete action to the victims of these scourges. The Durban Review Conference offers a timely opportunity to reaffirm the principles of non-discrimination and to build on the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action in order to ensure that implementation gaps are closed. It is imperative that all States participate and contribute to this crucial process in order to consolidate and improve the common ground on fundamental human rights issues.

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