UNITED NATIONS A General Assembly Distr. GENERAL A/HRC/7/58 15 February 2008 Original: ENGLISH HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Seventh session Agenda item 2 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND REPORTS OF THE OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER AND THE SECRETARY-GENERAL Report of the Secretary-General on the question of the realization in all countries of economic, social and cultural rights Summary The present report is submitted in accordance with resolution 4/1 of the Human Rights Council. It outlines the activities of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), treaty bodies and special procedures in relation to economic, social and cultural rights. These activities include those of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Committee on the Rights of the Child, several special procedures and of the Open-ended Working Group on an optional protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The report also covers OHCHR activities on assistance and technical cooperation to States, United Nations agencies, civil society and other relevant stakeholders. In line with the Strategic Management Plan for the period 2006-2007 in which the Office’s priorities are articulated, the present report reflects a significant increase in the work on economic, social and cultural rights, highlighting some of the major areas of enhanced capacity and engagement. GE.08-10641 (E) 210208