A/HRC/4/111 page 4 I. ORGANIZATION OF THE CONFERENCE 1. The Regional Conference of the Americas on Progress and Challenges in the Programme of Action against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance was held in Brasilia from 26 to 28 July 2006, convened jointly by the Governments of Brazil and Chile. A. Opening ceremony 2. During the opening ceremony, held on 26 July 2006 in the Planalto Palace, an African-inspired indigenous spiritual ceremony took place. 3. The Conference was officially opened by Ms. Matilde Ribeiro, Minister of the Special Secretariat for the Promotion of Racial Equality (SEPPIR) of Brazil, Mr. Antonio Aguiar Patriota, Assistant Secretary-General for Multilateral Political Affairs of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mr. Juan Martabit, Permanent Representative of Chile to the United Nations Office at Geneva and Chairperson of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. 4. The following speakers also took the floor: Ms. María Francisca Ize-Charrin, Special Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and Director of the Operations, Programmes and Research Division of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; Mr. Doudou Diène, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; Ms. Edna Santos Roland, independent expert on the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action; Mr. Marcos Terena and Ms. Epsy Campbell Barr, representatives of the International Organizing Committee of the Regional Conference of the Americas; and civil society representatives. B. Attendance 5. The Regional Conference was attended by representatives of the States Members of the United Nations of the region and representatives of United Nations organs, mechanisms and programmes, specialized agencies, intergovernmental organizations, national human rights institutions, other entities, non-governmental organizations and other guests. For the list of participants, see annex I. C. Introduction of officers 6. The Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Regional Conference were Ms. Matilde Ribeiro and Mr. Juan Martabit, respectively, from the two countries that convened the Conference. D. Organization of work and other matters 7. The Regional Conference decided that general statements would be made in two plenary meetings, one for States and one for civil society. 8. Also at its first plenary meeting, the Regional Conference considered the organization of its work and agreed to create four “mini-plenaries”, corresponding to the following subregions: