A/HRC/29/21 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/25/36), in an effort to consolidate information related to the universal periodic review, and on the basis of Council decision 17/119, the secretariat is aligning 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. As such, as of 2015, both annual reports are expected to be submitted to the June session of the Council. The present report provides an overview of contributions and expenditures as at 31 December 2014, together with a description of activities funded since the previous update. II. Financial situation of the Fund 2. Table 1 shows the detailed financial situation of the Fund as at 31 December 2014 (statement of income and expenditure). Table 1 Statement of income and expenditure for the period 1 January–31 December 2014 (United States dollars) Income Voluntary contributions received from Governments in 2014 Singapore 10 000.00 Miscellaneous and interest income 14 123.33 Total income 24 123.33 a Expenditure Staff costs — Fees and travel of experts and consultants — Travel of staff Travel of representatives 217 584.59 Contractual services — General operating expenses — Supplies and materials — Grants, contributions and seminars 23 078.00 Programme support costs 39 906.03 Total expenditure 346 875.53 Net excess (shortfall) of income over expenditures for the period -322 752.20 Opening balance on 1 January 2014 2 176 173.26 Miscellaneous adjustments/savings/refunds to donors Total fund balance as at 31 December 2014 2 57 004.91 -1 222.84 1 857 796.93