A/HRC/25/69 D. Adoption of the agenda 7. During the 1st meeting of the session, the Ad Hoc Committee adopted the agenda for the fifth session. E. Organization of work 8. The Chairperson-Rapporteur introduced the draft programme of work at its 1st meeting. He stated that, pending final confirmation from a few remaining presenters, some changes might be introduced at a later stage. The programme of work (contained in annex IV) was adopted at the 1st meeting. The Chairperson-Rapporteur invited general statements about the session. 9. Gabon, speaking on behalf of the African Group, highlighted the need for additional complementary standards to reinforce national and international law against racism as a matter of high priority. The Group was pleased that the Committee would focus on the specific thematic topics of xenophobia, national mechanisms and procedural gaps to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. It added that there should be no complacency in ensuring that international law address those scourges and it invited the international community to enhance the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. It regretted that, 12 years after the adoption of the DDPA, new manifestations were worrying and becoming virulent, that the authors of racism and xenophobia were often persons at the highest levels of authority, and that persons of African descent were often the victims. As recommended in paragraph 199 of the DDPA, it was important to reinforce laws and legal systems at national and regional levels, and to have a clear and precise definition of xenophobia. 10. The European Union stated that the late preparations for the session, which had been rescheduled from April 2014, were not conducive to consensus. It stated that the summary of the responses to the questionnaire had been made available the previous week and there had been a lack of transparency with regard to the selection of experts. It also stated that item 8 in the programme of work regarding updates on relevant global and regional developments was not acceptable to the European Union, as it did not have proper relevance to the mandate of the Committee. It reaffirmed the commitment of the European Union to the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. Noting that full implementation remained an obstacle in many countries, priority should be given to effective implementation of existing instruments, including the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. 11. Egypt pointed out that the need for a comprehensive approach to the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance included key complementary measures, given that there were new trends and manifestations threatening many countries around the world. It noted that xenophobic manifestations required protection measures and highlighted the existence of racial, religious and cultural prejudices. States should take opportunities to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, including through the Internet. New topics should be discussed during the Committee’s current session. 12. Norway emphasized the importance of confronting extremism. It noted that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance could easily lead to hatred and violence and, in the worst cases, full-blown conflict, crimes against humanity, genocide and terrorist attacks. It recalled the terrorist attack of 22 July 2011 in Norway, in which scores of people had been killed. The multicultural society of Norway had reacted with greater democracy, openness and inclusion. It highlighted the need to take effective measures to combat hate speech and hate crimes and to investigate and sanction them. Norway was not convinced of the need for new standards and it noted the importance of improving the 4