A/HRC/26/56 I. Introduction 1. Since the last meeting of the independent eminent experts in 2005, the follow-up and implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action has evolved. In 2009, the Durban Review Conference was held in Geneva, and in 2011 the General Assembly held a high-level meeting to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. 2. Throughout the years, the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council adopted several resolutions that include references to the work of the independent eminent experts. In its latest resolution 68/151, entitled “Global efforts for the total elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the comprehensive 1 implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action”, the General Assembly requested the Secretary-General, in the context of the resolution, to revitalize and reactivate the operational activities of the group of independent eminent experts. It also invited the Human Rights Council to ensure the visibility, effective participation and optimal utilization of the vast knowledge and experience of the group of independent eminent experts within its subsidiary structures charged with the mandate and responsibility for the comprehensive follow-up to the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance and the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. 3. Furthermore, during its twenty-fourth session, from 9 to 27 September 2013, the Human Rights Council adopted resolution 24/26, entitled “From rhetoric to reality: a global call for concrete action against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance”. Paragraphs 8, 9 and 10 of the resolution refer to the work of the independent eminent experts. In particular, paragraph 10 requests the independent eminent experts to convene a special meeting to conduct an appraisal of the work undertaken hitherto and the recommendations made in that regard in order to present an update report to this end to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Secretary-General and the Human Rights Council. 4. In view of the aforementioned resolutions, at their third meeting, held privately on 4 February 2014 in Geneva, the experts discussed their previous work and related challenges, mandate and working methods, including suggestions for follow-up actions. Her Excellency Hanna Suchocka and Dr. Edna Maria Santos Roland travelled to Geneva for the meeting; His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan and Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim were connected through teleconference. However, due to technical problems from the office of His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan, the participation of His Royal Highness was partly interrupted. The meeting was opened by Mr. Bacre Ndiaye, Director Human Rights Council and Special Procedures Division, and Officer-in-Charge, Research and Right to Development Division. II. Discussion on the mandate and the working methods 5. The independent eminent experts pointed out that the group is one of the component mechanisms established for the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the Outcome Document of the Durban Review Conference. Its work should be also closely linked to the General Assembly and the Human Rights 1 United Nations document A/RES/68/151, paras. 15-16. 3