A/HRC/8/52 page 168 488. Sixty years ago, Member states, through the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, pledged themselves to achieve, in cooperation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and acknowledged that a common understanding of these rights and freedoms was of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge. The Philippines believed that the universal periodic review helped bring the international community closer to that common understanding of both the cause and challenge of human rights. The review process contributed to the realization of more constructive and cooperative international engagement on human rights, as embodied in General Assembly resolution 60/251 and the institution-building package which all delegations in Geneva had worked so hard on last year. It also perhaps brought closer the vision of the original drafters of the Universal Declaration, in which human rights would exacerbate divisions in an already much divided and conflicting world, and bring nations closer together in a common purpose to uphold the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of each and every individual. 489. In conclusion, the Permanent Representative expressed the Philippines’ continuing strong support for the universal periodic review and was confident that it could further contribute to the effective implementation of human rights standards on the ground, where it mattered most, as all countries sought to ensure greater enjoyment of human rights of their peoples. Algeria 490. The review of Algeria was held on 14 April 2008 in conformity with all the relevant provisions contained in Council resolution 5/1, and was based on the following documents: the national report submitted by Algeria in accordance with the annex to Council resolution 5/1, paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/1/DZA/1); the compilation prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/1/DZA/2); and the summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/1/DZA/3). 491. At its 16th meeting, on 10 June 2008, the Council considered and adopted the outcome of the review on Algeria (see section C below). 492. The outcome of the review on Algeria is constituted of the report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (A/HRC/8/29), together with the views of Algeria concerning the recommendations and/or conclusions, as well as its voluntary commitments and its replies presented before the adoption of the outcome by the plenary to questions or issues that were not sufficiently addressed during the interactive dialogue in the Working Group. 1. Views expressed by the State under review on the recommendations and/or conclusions as well as on its voluntary commitments 493. The delegation of Algeria paid a tribute to the troika composed of Senegal, the Philippines and Uruguay and thanked all those who had shown interest in Algeria’s report. 494. As the Minister for Foreign Affairs, who had personally headed the delegation during the presentation of Algeria’s report, had emphasized, Algeria was aware that it still had a way to go and needed to improve its performance in a number of areas. Algeria was resolutely trying to do that, and it was all the more determined to do so in the light of the constructive discussions that