A/HRC/16/66 of the UNCT, and its support for the mandate of the independent expert on human rights in Somalia. The Board was also informed that Somalia is scheduled to undergo the UPR in 2011 and welcomed the results achieved with limited funds in spite of the challenging circumstances, encouraging OHCHR to address sexual and gender-based violence in its programming. 22. While the human rights component of the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) is engaged in the Sudan working with institutions on the process of elections aiming at fairness and transparency, the Board noted that it was important for OHCHR to make a meaningful contribution in the context of the referendum process by preparing a plan of action for intervention on the various possible outcomes even though the human rights component of the integrated mission may have a contingency plan. 23. The Human Rights Adviser in the Great Lakes region had organized workshops closely with civil society on development of projects and activities in the framework of the UPR process for Rwanda. Consultations had also been held with members of parliament on their role in promoting and protecting human rights. The Board acknowledged the impressive work of the adviser as catalyst and human rights advocate to the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region. 24. The Board thanked the Office for the thorough briefing on the activities in the Africa region and acknowledged the challenges faced in the subregions, welcoming the achievements realized. It highlighted the importance of working to develop justice and accountability mechanisms in the region and emphasized the coordination role to be played by human rights advisers in UNCTs, including relations with Governments. The Board emphasized the need for the Office to develop strategic contingency plans drawing from experience and lessons learned in the course of its human rights work in peace processes to prepare to tackle emerging challenges in the region. B. Asia-Pacific region 25. The Board was updated on human rights developments in the region, the situation of the field presences, projects and technical cooperation activities supported by the Voluntary Fund, and challenges. It was briefed on the situation of human rights components of United Nations peace missions in Afghanistan and Timor-Leste and on the situation of human rights advisers in Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka. 26. The Board was informed of positive developments in Papua New Guinea with the establishment of the NHRI and the successful visit of the special rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, with significant development partners such as the New Zealand Agency for International Development, the Australian Agency for International Development and the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions. In addition the UPR had been an important exercise in the Pacific and the Office found that it was relatively easy to interact with States although there were few ratifications and treaty reports prepared. 27. The Board was also updated on the challenges faced in Afghanistan with the deepening conflict and security and consequent staffing problems which have led to the delay in implementation of technical cooperation activities. However human rights monitoring, reporting and advocacy work has continued. The Board was briefed on the situation in Timor-Leste, which concerns addressing economic social and cultural rights, the slow implementation of activities in Sri Lanka due to weakened collaboration with partners as well as the continuation of technical cooperation activities in Indonesia after the departure of the Human Rights Adviser in January 2010. 7