A/HRC/16/20 10. A broad range of recommendations relating to all areas of human rights were made during each review. Devising practical mechanisms to follow-up and ensure implementation of these recommendations remains a considerable challenge, in particular in view of the second cycle fast approaching. The Voluntary Fund for Financial and Technical Assistance for implementation of the universal periodic review has become operational and has been used in the organization of field-based follow-up briefings which should assist States in identifying road maps for implementation of recommendations. 11. Although responsibility for implementation rests primarily with States, a diverse array of national stakeholders can help Governments in this demanding task. Wide participation in this process will also ensure that the UPR debate moves from the international stage to the national level. (c) Special procedures 12. The contribution of the special procedures to the work of the Council was widely acknowledged in 2010. Interactive dialogues at the Council and the General Assembly allowed mandate holders to highlight human rights concerns requiring follow-up at the national level, and provide early warning on situations and emerging trends requiring the urgent attention of the international community. All opportunities should be used to draw on mandate holders’ expertise. I support proposals to enhance the dialogues to allow for broader and more interactive discussions. 13. I welcome States issuing standing invitations and the increase of these to 73 in 2010. Greater efforts should be made to provide timely and substantive responses to special procedures’ communications. The direct accessibility of special procedures to victims and human rights defenders has been a hallmark of their work, and I am concerned at continuing reports of reprisals. The Council should consider the adoption of additional measures to protect engagement between experts and all stakeholders, as free interaction is an indicator of cooperation. 14. The Office has continued to support the independence of the special procedures, encouraging States to engage constructively and focus on the substance of human rights issues. Procedures are in place to address issues relating to working methods or the conduct of mandate holders, and I acknowledge the contributions made by the Coordination Committee and individual mandate holders in this regard. 15. With the creation of two new thematic mandates in 2010, on the elimination of discrimination of women in law and in practice, and on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, there are now 41 mandates with 61 mandate holders. One third of current mandate holders are women. The Council will have an opportunity to improve gender balance, with 16 appointments to be made in 2011. I support the suggested improvements to the Council’s selection procedure that will strengthen the appointment and induction of mandate holders possessing the highest qualifications. 16. Special procedures have continued their collaboration with Council mechanisms, contributing to thematic panels and to the Forum on Minority Issues, the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Social Forum and the Advisory Committee. Better use could be made of potential synergies with UPR. (d) Treaty bodies 17. With the welcome entry into force on 23 December 2010 of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, a tenth treaty body will be established in 2011. Consequently, since 2004, the treaty body system will have almost doubled in size with the addition of new treaty bodies, such as the Committee on Migrant Workers, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the 5