A/HRC/34/24 Annex International cooperation and national human rights followup systems and processes Follow-up and implementation: The UN General Assembly (GA) specifically mandated the Human Rights Council (the Council) to promote the full implementation of human rights obligations undertaken by States (GA rev. 60/251), including in the context of the universal periodic review and the work of its special procedures. The universal periodic review as an action oriented mechanism has, among its first objectives, the improvement of the human rights situation on the ground (HRC res. 5/1). The full and effective implementation by States parties of the treaty obligation and the periodic reporting on progresses achieved is also central to the strengthening of the treaty body system (GA res. 68/268). International cooperation and the sharing of practices are essential to the efforts undertaken by States towards the advancement of the enjoyment of human rights and the strengthening of the mechanisms established to that aim. Indeed, the Council was created on the basis of the purpose and principles of the UN Charter, including achieving international cooperation in the promotion of human rights. Moreover, the objectives of the universal periodic review include the sharing of best practice among States and other stakeholders. Technical assistance: In its resolution 30/25, the Council reiterated the importance and added value of technical assistance and capacity-building provided in consultation with, and with the consent of, the States concerned to ensure follow-up to and the effective implementation of their respective international human rights obligations and commitments. It also welcomed the support provided by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to the establishment and the strengthening of national human rights follow-up systems and processes and encouraged the OHCHR to continue to do so. To that aim, the Council invited States to gradually increase their voluntary contributions to the relevant UN trust funds. In reviewing its work and functioning in 2011, the Council equally emphasized that States may request the United Nations representation at the national or regional level to assist them in the implementation of follow-up to their review and that the OHCHR may act as a clearing house for such assistance. It also suggested that financial and technical assistance for the implementation of the review may be reflected in national implementation plans (res. 16/21). National human rights follow-up systems and processes generate momentum with the potential to foster the national dialogue on human rights. In the eve of the 3rd cycle of the UPR in 2017, the Council encourages States to establish and strengthen such systems and processes, to seek, as needed, technical assistance and capacity-building, and to share experiences and good practices to that end. It also recognizes the important and constructive role played by parliaments, national human rights institutions (NHRIs) and civil society and encourages their continued and unhindered participation in and contribution to these processes (res. 30/25). The main constituting elements: Human rights follow-up systems and processes constitute the institutional structures and the processes, formal and/or informal, through which States attempt to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the implementation of their international human rights obligations and commitments. These structures and processes can take various forms and are established and operate according to the national context. However, a number of components are emerging from States’ effective practices as 15