A/HRC/18/41 the inter-governmental working group, and through engagement with the President of the Council and the facilitator of the special procedures segment. 8. As part of the measures to improve working methods and to promote dialogue, the Coordination Committee and OHCHR had discussed questions frequently asked by special procedures and possible answers. The Chair noted that these discussions took into account aspects raised during the review, and information contained in the manual, which itself might warrant review, given the developments since its finalization. Discussions had not concluded and she encouraged the incoming Committee to continue to approach these as an ongoing process. Other Committee activities had included coordination of joint action, such as statements for special sessions and on the occasion of Human Rights Day; contribution to the selection procedure for new mandate holders; the formulation of proposals to enhance working methods; promoting dialogue and strengthening constructive engagement with States, suggesting further work on concrete recommendations to strengthen States’ capacity; and cooperation with other mechanisms, such as the treaty bodies and the universal periodic review mechanism of the Human Rights Council. Dissemination of information had been facilitated through an orientation session for new mandate holders and meetings with other new experts. The Committee had introduced a regular letter from the Chair to update mandate holders on Committee activities. 9. With regard to the code of conduct, no formal complaints had been received under the internal advisory procedure during the past cycle, but the Coordination Committee had provided individual guidance to mandate holders on working methods in a number of cases. There was a need for the Committee to remain proactive in responding to issues raised under the code of conduct and to continue to champion the independence of mandate holders. IV. Exchange of views with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights 10. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights assured the meeting that she consistently emphasized the importance and added value of special procedures in the global system for the promotion and protection of human rights. She noted the high-quality professional support provided by OHCHR staff in Geneva, New York and Office’s more than 50 field presences, and that the synergy between her Office and special procedures could be strengthened in order to maximize impact in implementation of human rights. She highlighted recent developments, including in countries in the Middle East and North Africa, and commended the special procedures for seizing opportunities to engage with States, including through recent visits, communications, outreach and technical assistance. 11. The High Commissioner referred to the role of special procedures in major thematic areas, such as the International Year of People of African Descent; the tenth anniversary of the Durban Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance; the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Right to Development; the open-ended working group on ageing of the General Assembly; and the work on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity. She commended the Coordination Committee for facilitating the common contribution by all mandate holders to the Human Rights Council review and for working with OHCHR on questions frequently asked by mandate holders. She encouraged mandate holders to consider updating the manual. On resources, she pointed out that the current financial climate, additional mandates and additional mandated activities had stretched the capacity of OHCHR to support mandate holders, and limited the scope of action of mandate holders, and that she was doing her utmost to secure additional regular budget resources for special procedures. Transparency relating to external support was important in order to counter perceptions that the independence and integrity of mandate holders could be compromised. 5