A/HRC/31/74 soccer fields that continued to be witnessed in many countries because adequate action had not been taken to counteract them. D. Adoption of the agenda 7. At the 1st meeting, the Ad Hoc Committee adopted the agenda for the seventh session (A/HRC/AC.1/7/1). E. Organization of work 8. The Chair-Rapporteur introduced the draft programme of work (see annex III), which was adopted at the 1st meeting. 9. The Chair-Rapporteur invited general statements about the session from delegations and participants. 10. The Ambassador of Brazil stated that Brazil attached great importance to the full and effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the outcome document of the Durban Review Conference, noting that the follow-up mechanisms played a central role in that regard. The Ambassador expressed appreciation that the Ad hoc Committee would further address the issue of procedural gaps in the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination at the session, and welcomed the proposed discussion with members of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on issues such as reservations, reporting and general recommendations. Brazil was interested to hear the views of the Committee on the key elements with regard to procedural gaps and best ways to address them. Brazil also noted with appreciation the inclusion of the issue of racism and sport in the Ad Hoc Committee’s agenda, and welcomed the conclusions of the report of the sixth session in that regard. Brazil stressed its support for the International Decade for People of African Descent, which began on 1 January 2015, with the theme “People of African descent: recognition, justice and development”, and for the implementation of its programme of activities. 11. The representative of Algeria, on behalf of the African Group, stated that acts of racism, xenophobia, intolerance and Islamophobia that had previously been discreet now appeared openly, had become commonplace and were evident and unrestrained in political speeches, in the media and through the Internet. The rise in racist and xenophobic acts affected migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, who were most vulnerable to those phenomena, and affected their rights, thus making it imperative to develop a victim-centred approach. Despite its six sessions, the Committee had not been able to fulfil its mandate, namely, the elaboration of complementary standards to the Convention. In the light of these discussions, it was apparent that there were procedural and substantive shortcomings prevalent in existing instruments. In the absence of additional standards, measures taken by States may lack coherence and would not be in compliance with international norms and standards of human rights. The African Group remained convinced of the need to enable the Ad Hoc Committee to fulfil its mandate, adding that the notion of gaps in existing international instruments should not be interpreted in an absolute fashion. It would be important to look at gaps in existing standards with a view to covering contemporary forms and manifestations of racism and to protecting victims. The Group hoped that the Committee would eventually allow stakeholders to focus on the situation of victims of racism, xenophobia and intolerance, who were increasing in number and whose fate should be a concern to all. 12. The representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela reiterated its support and collaboration in the exercise of the important mandate of the Ad Hoc Committee. It was 4