A/HRC/7/58 page 17 V. CONCLUSIONS 55. The past year has set the pace for a greater commitment, at all levels, to economic, social and cultural rights. While some previous areas of work have been strengthened, new processes, partnerships and capacities have marked the work of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Treaty bodies have strengthened their work on economic, social and cultural rights through the periodic reporting process, the elaboration of general comments and statements and the holding of general days of discussion. 56. Special procedures with thematic mandates covering economic, social and cultural rights have continued monitoring the implementation and respect for these rights around the world. Additionally, other special procedures have paid close attention and devoted reports, visits and communications to these rights. Notably, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders wrote a report in which she examined the particular risks and circumstances that face human rights defenders working in the field of economic, social and cultural rights. Similarly, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism dedicated his annual report to the thematic issue of economic, social and cultural rights in the context of counter-terrorism, including information on the work done to date by the United Nations human rights treaty bodies, special procedures and other United Nations entities, as well as regional human rights mechanisms. The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people has put special emphasis on the economic, social and cultural rights of indigenous peoples. 57. OHCHR has strengthened its thematic expertise in economic, social and cultural rights at the country, regional and headquarters level in line with the Strategic Management Plan for the period 2006-2007. When compared to previous reports of the Secretary-General on the question of the realization of economic, social and cultural rights in all countries, the current reporting cycle has seen a considerable growth in activities concerning these rights, both at headquarters and in human rights field presences. Those activities have included monitoring violations of economic, social and cultural rights; providing technical assistance to States to promote economic, social and cultural rights, including the drafting of legislation; strengthening the legal protection of economic, social and cultural rights; undertaking research into new and challenging issues relating to economic, social and cultural rights, such as the right to water, climate change and human rights; following up the recommendations of treaty bodies and special procedures; and building and strengthening partnerships with WHO, UN-Habitat, FAO and other intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. -----