A/HRC/13/61 of the justice systems; it advised that the challenge would be to find the best strategy for impact in strengthening national institutions through international standards reinforcing the accountability mechanisms. The Board acknowledged the important efforts conducted in the region in establishing relations with Governments and local authorities. F. Human rights components of United Nations peace operations 35. The Board received an overview of human rights components in peace missions, their functions, activities, challenges and their relationship with other United Nations partners, in particular with regard to the mainstreaming of human rights. The Board was briefed on capacity- and institution-building in United Nations peace missions. It was updated on the OHCHR Peace Missions Support and Rapid Response Section in the Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division. The aim of the section is to have sufficient funds for emergency situations, establish a roster of voluntary staff to be deployed in conflict areas and support the work of humanitarian agencies in the field. G. National human rights institutions and regional mechanisms 36. The Board was updated on the issues related to national human rights institutions (NHRIs), including the technical assistance provided to NHRIs, and recent developments within the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and its Accreditation Committee, including regional trends. The Board noted the importance of ensuring the effective independence of NHRIs and the strategic value of developing and investing in NHRIs as part of broader United Nations efforts to strengthen national human rights protection systems. The Board recognized and emphasized the strategic importance of cooperation between OHCHR and UNDP at the country level by all types of field presences and stressed the value of partnership with regional human rights mechanisms. 37. The Board was kept abreast of the new structure of the OHCHR National Institutions and Regional Mechanisms Section in the Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division, which would, as mandated by the Human Rights Council, enhance and further systematize its relations with regional human rights organizations and mechanisms, including by regularly organizing workshops on regional arrangements for the promotion and protection of human rights. These workshops are intended to be used for further sharing of information and elaboration of practical proposals on how to strengthen cooperation between the United Nations and regional human rights arrangements. VI. Translation of human rights themes into the OHCHR Technical Cooperation Programme and Policy recommendations 38. The Board received an update on the status of UPR follow-up at the country level, including experiences drawn from the annual meeting with OHCHR heads of field presences. The Board welcomed the positive developments regarding the UPR. It also inquired about the status of existing and new donor contributions to the Voluntary Fund for Financial and Technical Assistance and noted that discussion on the criteria for using the funds were still under consideration. The Board suggested that the experience of the Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation should be taken into account when administering the UPR funds and reaffirmed that the activities under the Voluntary Fund for Financial and Technical Assistance to assist countries implementing recommendations GE.10-10528 9