A/HRC/32/27 I. Introduction 1. The present report is submitted in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 16/22 and decision 17/119, in which the Council requested the secretariat to provide an annual written update on the operations of the Voluntary Fund for Participation in the Universal Periodic Review and on the resources available to it. As indicated in the previous update report (A/HRC/29/21), in an effort to consolidate information related to the universal periodic review, and on the basis of Council decision 17/119, the secretariat aligned the timing of submission of the reports on the activities supported through the two universal periodic review trust funds, namely, the Voluntary Fund for Participation and the Voluntary Fund for Financial and Technical Assistance in the Implementation of the Universal Periodic Review. In this way, as from 2015, both annual reports are submitted to the Council at its June session. The present report provides an overview of contributions and expenditures, together with a description of activities funded since the previous report as at 31 December 2015. II. Financial situation of the Fund 2. Table 1 shows the detailed financial situation of the Fund as at 31 December 2015 (statement of income and expenditure). Table 1 Statement of income and expenditure for the period 1 January–31 December 2015 (United States dollars) Opening balance on 1 January 2015 1 861 873.94 Income Voluntary contributions received from Governments in 2015 Singapore 25 000.00 Miscellaneous and interest income 4 128.11 Total income 29 128.11 Expenditurea Staff costs 41 503.93 Fees and travel of experts and consultants ---- Travel of staff 92 109.49 Travel of representatives 465 742.41 Contractual services 500 General operating expenses 3 935.00 Supplies and materials ---- Grants, contributions and seminars 25 604.00 Programme support costs 81 895.00 2