A/HRC/31/75 the implementation of the Decade, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 69/16. He emphasized that as part of that commitment some countries in Latin America had already developed national plans for the implementation of the international decade and noted with satisfaction the organization in Brasilia of the first regional conference on the Decade. 57. With reference to the forum for people of African descent, he recalled that the forum should serve as a mechanism of broad consultation and inclusive participation of all people of African descent and should fall within one of the existing Durban follow-up mechanisms. In that regard, he highlighted the efficiency of the Working Group during the present session. He suggested, in that regard, the holding of informal consultations to discuss the possibility of transferring three days of the Working Group and the related budgetary resources to the forum for people of African descent. VII. Conclusions and recommendations A. Implementation of the programme of activities for the implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent 58. The Working Group: (a) Invites Member States to implement the programme of activities for the implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent, adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 69/16, and to consider the Decade as an opportunity to review the situation of people of African descent in their respective communities, analyse patterns of discrimination and raise awareness among the general public of their contributions, including to global development. In this regard, the Working Group notes that it is important to collate recent, relevant and disaggregated data, as appropriate, to assess adequately the challenges faced by people of African descent; (b) Encourages Member States to adopt and implement comprehensive public policies to further promote and protect the human rights of people of African descent as enshrined in international human rights instruments, including special measures, such as affirmative action, where appropriate, with clear and sustainable objectives which increase the visibility of people of African descent and ensure their full, effective and equal participation in decision-making processes; (c) Also encourages Member States to put into place or strengthen national mechanisms to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, with a focus on people of African descent, including through awarenessraising campaigns; (d) Encourages the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to liaise with regional organizations from all over the world, treaty bodies and the special procedures of the Human Rights Council to enable them to contribute to the effective implementation of the programme of activities for the implementation of the Decade; (e) Invites the Office to enhance its cooperation with international and national media organizations, business, academia, civil society organizations and other stakeholders to increase visibility and awareness of the Decade; (f) Notes with appreciation that the first regional meeting on the Decade, the Regional Meeting for Latin America and the Caribbean, will take place in Brasilia on 3 and 4 December 2015; 15