A/HRC/22/17 presented principles on the use of solitary confinement with a view of minimizing or abolishing its use in his report to the General Assembly. 19 86. OHCHR and the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons with regional organizations in Africa have supported the promotion, ratification and implementation of the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa, now ratified by 14 States. One more ratification will make it the first binding regional instrument on displaced persons. 87. In August 2012, OHCHR supported the second session of the open-ended intergovernmental working group to consider the possibility of elaborating an international regulatory framework on the regulation, monitoring and oversight of the activities of private military and security companies, taking into consideration the principles, main elements and draft text proposed by the Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to selfdetermination. The working group recommended the continuation of the mandate for two years to explore the issue further, including the option of elaborating a convention.20 The Working Group on the use of mercenaries is undertaking a survey to identify trends and best practices in national regulatory frameworks relevant to private military and security companies. 88. In collaboration with the Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises, OHCHR organized the first Annual Forum on Business and Human Rights in Geneva, in December 2012, with participation of some 800 representatives of States, civil society, business enterprises, national human rights institutions and experts from across the world. OHCHR led the preparation of a report,21 welcomed by the Human Rights Council, on the role of the United Nations system in implementation of the Guiding Principles on business and human rights. III. Conclusions 89. The past year has been a year of challenges as well as advances. The affirmation of the centrality of human rights to sustainable development in the Rio+20 Outcome is a remarkable step. OHCHR strongly urges States to adopt a balanced and comprehensive post-2015 development agenda that addresses freedom from fear and want and the right to development. Member States in the General Assembly reaffirmed their commitment to human rights in the context of work on the rule of law. The creation of new special procedures mandates and the establishment of commissions of inquiry and fact-finding missions demonstrate the willingness of the Human Rights Council to act responsibly and expeditiously to protect human rights. The second round of the universal periodic review has started with full participation of Member States. The treaty body strengthening process has increased visibility of this important element of the human rights system, as well as the obstacles it faces. 90. Nonetheless, we face impressive and daunting challenges, not least the ongoing conflicts in the Syrian Arab Republic and in Mali, and the intractable crisis in the occupied Palestinian territories. The financial crisis and the resulting austerity programmes have placed significant strains on economic, social and cultural rights. All of this has put growing pressure on OHCHR to respond effectively at a time when 19 20 21 18 A/66/268. A/HRC/21/43. A/HRC/21/21.