A/HRC/8/52 page 72 Part Two: Summary of proceedings I. Organizational and procedural matters A. Opening and duration of the session 1. The Human Rights Council held its eighth session at the United Nations Office at Geneva from 2 to 18 June 2008. The President of the Council, Mr. Doru Costea, opened the session. 2. In accordance with rule 8 (b) of the rules of procedures of the Council, as contained in part VII of the annex to Council resolution 5/1, the organizational meeting of the eighth session was held on 19 May 2008. 3. The eighth session consisted of 28 meetings held over 13 days (see paragraph 14 below). B. Attendance 4. The session was attended by representatives of States members of the Council, observer States of the Council, observers for non-member States of the United Nations and other observers, as well as observers for United Nations entities, specialized agencies and related organizations, intergovernmental organizations and other entities, national human rights institutions and non-governmental organizations (see annex III). C. Agenda and programme of work of the session 5. At the 1st meeting, on 2 June 2008, the programme of work for the eighth session was adopted without a vote. D. Organization of work 6. At the 1st meeting, on 2 June 2008, the President of the Council outlined the modalities for the general debate, which would be five minutes for statements by States members of the Council and concerned countries and three minutes for observers of non-member States of the Council and other observers, including United Nations entities, specialized agencies and related organizations, intergovernmental organizations and other entities, national human rights institutions and non-governmental organizations. The list of speakers would be drawn up in chronological order of registration and the order of speakers would be: concerned countries, if any, followed by States members of the Council, observers for non-member States of the Council, and other observers. 7. At the same meeting, the President of the Council outlined the modalities for the interactive dialogue with special procedures mandate holders, which would be 10 minutes for the presentation of the main report by the mandate holders, with a further 2 minutes for the presentation of each additional report; 5 minutes for concerned countries, if any, and States members of the Council; 3 minutes for statements by observers of non-member States of the Council and other observers, including United Nations entities, specialized agencies and related organizations, intergovernmental organizations and other entities, national human rights institutions and non-governmental organizations; and 5 minutes for concluding remarks by the mandate holder.