A/HRC/14/32 Finally, a CIS draft Programme of Action for 2007–2010 was adopted, to support the implementation of the 2005 Agreement and facilitate efficient cooperation at regional level for the prevention and suppression of trafficking in persons and the rehabilitation of victims. 5. Middle East and North Africa 32. Within the framework of the LAS, the Council of Arab Justice Ministers has adopted a decision to launch “The Arab initiative for building national capacities to combat human trafficking”. The initiative will be launched in Doha, Qatar, on 22 and 23 March 2010, in collaboration with the UNODC Regional Office in Cairo and with the support and sponsorship of Qatar. This initiative aims to combat trafficking in persons through developing the criminal justice system in Arab States, for example by building the capacity of law enforcement bodies, prosecutors, members of the judiciary and the media. 33. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is also taking initiatives to curb human trafficking in the subregion. In 2007, a workshop was held in the United Arab Emirates on human trafficking legislation, in order to share experiences and promote collaboration to fight human trafficking among the GCC countries. The GCC is also in the process of drafting guiding principles to combat trafficking in the subregion. C. 1. Main achievements and challenges Main achievements 34. The aim of this review is to highlight how some initiatives taken by regional cooperation mechanisms can bring added value to the fight against human trafficking at the national and international level. Only a few selected initiatives are highlighted under each thematic section, due to space limitations, while many more could have been included. Incorporating a human rights-based approach in the institutional and normative framework 35. A solid, comprehensive normative and institutional framework, whereby the commitment to tackling trafficking is expressed at the highest level, is an essential starting point for building an effective response to human trafficking. From analysis of the information collected, the Special Rapporteur noted that several organizations have adopted a formal international agreement in the form of a convention, an agreement or a memorandum of understanding (MOU), while others base their work on a document of a declaratory nature. For example, COMMIT was established by a MOU adopted at the ministerial level, which has proved to be a solid foundation for its work. 36. Other regional bodies have adopted declarations as their reference legal instruments, which can also be an effective solution when followed by a specific plan of action, as has been the case for ASEAN and ECOWAS. Other regional mechanisms have gone as far as adopting conventions, legally binding instruments which not only confer rights and duties on Governments, but also entitle individuals within their jurisdiction to claim the rights contained therein before the courts. A notable example is the CoE Convention, which is an excellent example of using a rights-based approach to combating trafficking in persons. While it also aims at preventing trafficking and prosecuting traffickers, it is the only regional international treaty in this area that primarily focuses on the rights of the victims. Importantly, the Convention is open to ratification by States which are not members of the CoE. 8 GE.10-13211