A/HRC/9/28 page 59 Part Two: Summary of proceedings I. Organizational and procedural matters A. Opening and duration of the session 1. The Human Rights Council held its ninth session at the United Nations Office at Geneva from 8 to 24 September 2008. The President of the Council opened the session. 2. At the first meeting, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights addressed the Council. 3. In accordance with rule 8 (b) of the rules of procedure of the Council, the organizational meetings of the ninth session were held on 22 August 2008. 4. The ninth session consisted of 23 meetings over 12 days (see paragraph 14 below). B. Attendance 5. The session was attended by representatives of States members of the Council,2 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 attendance list in an annex to the final report). C. Agenda and programme of work of the session 6. At the 1st meeting, on 8 September, the President proposed that organizational matters, including the adoption of the programme of work, be taken up at the 3rd meeting. 7. At the 3rd meeting, on 9 September, the programme of work was adopted by consensus. D. Organization of work 8. At the 1st meeting, on 8 September, the President outlined the modalities for the general debate following the statement of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, which would be 5 minutes for statements by States members of the Council and 3 minutes for statements by observers for 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. 9. At the 4th meeting, on 9 September, the President outlined the modalities for the interactive dialogue with special procedures mandate-holders, which would be as follows: 10 minutes for the presentation by the mandate-holder of the main report; 5 minutes for 2 Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, annex, part VII.