A/HRC/21/21 34. Given that the Guiding Principles are not a static set of norms, the identification of normative gaps may arise. As such, further development of standards should be carried out by the United Nations human rights system, supported by open multi-stakeholder processes. 35. In addition to the Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises, whose mandate is specifically focused on promoting the dissemination and implementation of the Guiding Principles, other special procedures mandate holders of the Human Rights Council are well placed to apply the Guiding Principles in their analyses of specific situations or thematic areas. Greater attention to the issue by mandate holders would contribute to the further exploration of any specific challenges faced in the implementation of the Principles by States and business sectors, in different operational contexts, in relation to particular human rights issues, human rights defenders and vulnerable groups. 36. United Nations treaty bodies have an important role to play in clarifying the application of the international human rights obligations of States parties with regard to business-related human rights issues. Treaty bodies may use the Guiding Principles (which to a large extent are derived from existing treaty obligations) to inform their dialogue with States parties under the treaty reporting process, individual complaints and in the elaboration of general comments, statements and other treaty body output that address States parties’ obligations relating to the human rights impact of business activities. 37. In their submissions for the present report, some States proposed incorporating reporting on the duty to protect against corporate-related human rights abuse – the first pillar of the Guiding Principles – – in the universal periodic review. Doing so would facilitate a more systematic collection of information on State efforts to implement the Guiding Principles. Civil society may also contribute to the universal periodic review and treaty body processes by using the Principles as benchmarks in their submissions. 2. United Nations system in general 38. Greater attention to human rights in general across the United Nations system offers opportunities for integrating the business and human rights agenda, and in particular the Guiding Principles, into existing platforms and activities. 39. The Global Compact as the strategic policy initiative of the United Nations for engaging the business sector already contributes by building consensus and supporting learning and dialogue on the human rights responsibilities of business. At the same time, awareness and implementation of such responsibilities among corporate members remains a key challenge. It is important that the Global Compact address this challenge by highlighting the corporate responsibility to respect human rights as set out by the Guiding Principles in more explicit terms in the commitments that business participants undertake upon joining. All human rights-related activities of the Global Compact should at a minimum be aligned with the Guiding Principles. (a) United Nations activities at the regional and country levels 40. A number of activities involving the United Nations at the country and regional levels are relevant to the business and human rights agenda. Integrating the Guiding Principles into such activities will strengthen coherence and alignment with international standards on business and human rights. 41. At the regional level, the business and human rights agenda and the Guiding Principles can contribute to the activities of United Nations regional commissions focused on guidance, capacity-building and technical cooperation on economic and social policy involving Member States and other stakeholders in the respective regions. 9