A/HRC/RES/28/14 reaffirming further the necessity of due respect for sovereignty and the right to selfdetermination, Bearing in mind that challenges to democracy arise in all democratic societies, Acknowledging the fundamental importance of education and training for human rights and democracy in contributing to the promotion, protection and effective realization of all human rights, Underlining that while States have the primary responsibility for safeguarding and strengthening democracy and the rule of law, the United Nations has a critical role in providing assistance and coordinating international efforts to support States, on their request, in their democratization processes, Urging States to acknowledge the important contribution of civil society and human rights defenders to the promotion of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, and to create a safe and enabling environment for their work, Recognizing the value of a Human Rights Council forum for exchange, dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation on issues related to human rights, democracy and the rule of law, in accordance with the principles and purposes of the Charter, and acknowledging the importance of existing regional formats, Stressing that human rights, democracy and the rule of law are interdependent and mutually reinforcing, and in this regard taking note with interest of the report of the Secretary-General on strengthening and coordinating United Nations rule of law activities,3 in which the Secretary-General addressed the ways and means of developing further the linkages between the rule of law and the three main pillars of the United Nations: peace and security, human rights and development, 1. Decides to establish a forum on human rights, democracy and the rule of law to provide a platform for promoting dialogue and cooperation on issues pertaining to the relationship between these areas; the Forum shall identify and analyse best practices, challenges and opportunities for States in their efforts to secure respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law; 2. Expresses its expectation that the Forum will contribute to the efforts of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to improve cooperation among United Nations mechanisms, bodies and specialized agencies, funds and programmes on activities related to the promotion of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, including at the regional level; 3. Decides that the Forum shall be open to the participation of States, United Nations mechanisms, bodies and specialized agencies, funds and programmes, intergovernmental organizations, regional organizations and mechanisms in the field of human rights, national human rights institutions and other relevant national bodies, academics and experts and non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council; the Forum shall also be open to other non-governmental organizations whose aims and purposes are in conformity with the spirit, purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, based on arrangements, including Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31 of 25 July 1996, and practices observed by the Human Rights Council through an open and transparent accreditation procedure in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the Council, which will provide for timely information on the participation of and consultations with the States concerned; 3 2 A/68/213/Add.1.