A/HRC/21/62 rather over the long term, with consistent, focused engagement with all relevant stakeholders. 54. The mandate for technical assistance and capacity-building has provided an appropriate platform for initiating a positive engagement with the Government of the Sudan towards identifying ways of improving the situation of human rights in the country. The Independent Expert strongly recommends that the opportunity created by the mandate be utilized as a means to mark a new period of positive cooperation between the Government of the Sudan and the international community for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Sudan. 55. Despite the apparent difficulty and challenging nature of the mandate, the Independent Expert is convinced that the objectives of the mandate can be realized through consistent, focused and positive engagement with the Government of the Sudan within the framework of universal periodic review recommendations. His first mission facilitated an important confidence-building opportunity that can be further enhanced through continued engagement with the Government of the Sudan and other relevant stakeholders in a constructive manner, with the long-term aim of achieving tangible improvements in the general situation of human rights in the country. It is hoped that the United Nations, the Government of the Sudan and all other stakeholders will find the current Independent Expert a willing partner in taking this process forward. 13