A/HRC/16/66 28. The Board reiterated its support for and expressed its satisfaction with the effective human rights field presences in the region, highlighting the need for OHCHR to further develop specific intervention strategies and the importance of strengthening relations with UNCT and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) representatives. C. Middle East and North Africa region 29. The Board was given an overview of OHCHR field presences in the Middle East and North Africa region. It learned about the projects and activities funded by the Voluntary Fund in the region, including strategies within the context of technical cooperation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. 30. The Agreement with the Government of Mauritania to establish an OHCHR country office was signed in September 2009 between the High Commissioner and the Government of Mauritania. The Country Office will be established in Nouakchott by the end of 2010. 31. In the OPT, the extent and complexity of the human rights challenges has required a high degree of adaptability on the part of the field presence. The Board was informed that the main priorities for OHCHR in the Occupied Palestinian Territories centre on accountability, right to life and security of person, freedom of movement and discrimination. It was further informed regarding the OHCHR leadership of the Protection Cluster Working Group in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, as well as the Office’s monitoring capabilities and activities, in response to the Human Rights Council's requests. With respect to monitoring, the urgent need for OHCHR to give East Jerusalem increased attention was stressed. The field presence's continuing provision of technical cooperation services and capacity-building activities to the Palestinian authorities were noted. 32. The deployment of a human rights adviser within the UNCT in Yemen is planned and negotiations are ongoing. The Board was informed of the activities of the Regional Office for the Middle East in Lebanon and the consultations with Member States regarding the planned establishment of the Regional Office for North Africa. The Board was pleased to note the success of the High Commissioner’s visit to the Gulf Cooperation Council’s countries and subsequent follow-up. The Board reiterated the need for OHCHR to have a strategic contingency plan to provide assistance to address human rights concerns in the region when needed. The Board learned of the progress made in the United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region in Qatar. 33. The Board was further interested in the issue of combating impunity and the rights to freedom of expression and association in the region, and welcomed the efforts made in the region despite challenges faced. The Board embarked on a general discussion on the state of the death penalty in the region and potential workshops to be held in view of promoting its abolition. 34. The Board also received a general update on the human rights challenges in Iraq and took note of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) activities, observing that planning and strategies of intervention for the promotion and the protection of human rights are crucial to provide a stable environment for the full enjoyment of all rights. D. Europe and Central Asia region 35. The Board noted the recent developments in the field presences in the Europe and Central Asia region, as well as the challenges — including political, human, financial and administrative constraints — to the implementation of priorities in the region. 8