A/HRC/38/26 Number of countries funded Amount paid (United States dollars) 2016 26 82 300.25 2017 15 55 912.27 Year Total B. 426 227.52 Training 15. The terms of reference of the Fund allow the financing of briefings prior to the sessions of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review to assist countries in the preparatory process. These briefings usually consist of plenary segments and breakout group discussions during which the policies, procedures and modalities of the universal periodic review are examined, information is exchanged and good practices and lessons learned are discussed concerning the organization of national consultations, the setting up of interministerial coordination mechanisms (so-called national mechanisms for reporting and follow-up), the drafting of national reports and participation in the interactive dialogues held by the Working Group and the Human Rights Council in plenary session. 16. No regional briefings were held in 2017. However, provision was made for the Fund to support regional workshops for African countries (English-, French- and Portuguesespeaking) starting in April 2018. In addition, since May 2017 onwards, OHCHR has been organizing informal briefings during the sessions of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review for members of delegations participating in the review, especially those who have travelled from their capitals. The briefings, which are held in the first and second week of the sessions, have provided visiting delegations with an overview of follow-up processes and measures for the implementation of recommendations of human rights mechanisms, in particular the universal periodic review, in the light of existing good practices. The briefings have been positively received by Member States and will continue to be systematically offered to delegations during sessions of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review in the third universal periodic review cycle. IV. Conclusions 17. During the reporting period, the Voluntary Trust Fund for Participation in the Universal Periodic Review continued to facilitate the participation of developing countries, in particular least developed countries, in the sessions of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review at which they were considered. Assistance was also provided to requesting States to enable them to participate in the adoption of their outcome document by the Human Rights Council during its plenary sessions. In that regard, the secretariat started following up with delegations through a more proactive approach, which included sending targeted correspondence, to ensure that all States entitled to assistance under the Voluntary Fund could avail themselves of the opportunity. 18. Since the inception of the universal periodic review and in recognition of the inherent related challenge of ensuring that participation is indeed universal, the needs and constraints of least developed countries have been considered. Ensuring the informed, regular and full participation of States with few resources and no representation in Geneva, in addition to all other States, requires regular outreach activities. 19. The secretariat has continued to support States, not only to participate in the reviews, but for the review to be understood as a full process, in particular at the national level, focusing on the implementation of recommendations made during the previous cycles. The briefings organized by OHCHR since May 2017 during the sessions of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review for members of delegations participating in the review of their countries contribute to this 5