A/HRC/6/22 page 75 1. Decides, in order to assist the Council in the implementation of its mandate, to establish a subsidiary expert mechanism to provide the Council with thematic expertise on the rights of indigenous peoples in the manner and form requested by the Council: (a) The thematic expertise will focus mainly on studies and research-based advice; (b) The mechanism may suggest proposals to the Council for its consideration and approval, within the scope of its work as set out by the Council; 2. Also decides that this mechanism shall report annually to the Council on its work; 3. Further decides that the expert mechanism shall consist of five independent experts, the selection of which shall be carried out in accordance with the procedure established in paragraphs 39 to 53 of the annex to Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007; 4. Strongly recommends that, in the selection and appointment process, the Council give due regard to experts of indigenous origin; 5. Decides, in order for the expert mechanism to enhance cooperation and avoid duplicating the work of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people and the Permanent Forum, that it shall invite the Special Rapporteur and a member of the Permanent Forum to attend and contribute to its annual meeting; 6. Also decides that the members of the expert mechanism shall serve for a three-year period and may be re-elected for one additional period; 7. Further decides that, within its mandate, the expert mechanism on the rights of indigenous peoples should determine its own methods of work, although the expert mechanism shall not adopt resolutions or decisions; 8. Decides that the expert mechanism shall meet once annually three days in its first year and thereafter for up to five days, and that the sessions may be a combination of open and private meetings; 9. Also decides that the annual meeting of the expert mechanism shall be open to the participation, as observers, of States, United Nations mechanisms, bodies and specialized agencies, funds and programmes, intergovernmental organizations, regional organizations and mechanisms in the field of human rights, national human rights institutions and other relevant national bodies, academics and experts on indigenous issues, non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council; the meeting shall also be open to indigenous peoples’ organizations and non-governmental organizations, whose aims and purposes are in conformity with the spirit, purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, based on arrangements, including Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31 of 25 July 1996, and practices observed by the Commission on Human Rights, through an open and transparent accreditation procedure in accordance with the rules of procedure of the Human Rights Council, which will provide for the timely information on participation and consultation with States concerned;