A/HRC/18/41 VII. A. Consultations with human rights mechanisms, States and others Joint meeting with human rights treaty bodies 26. The joint meeting with the twelfth inter-committee meeting focused on good practices in cooperation between the treaty bodies and the special procedures, and welcomed the compilation of good practices on cooperation between the two mechanisms prepared by OHCHR at the request of participants in the 2010 joint meeting. The discussion was informed by examples of cooperation identified in the report; additional positive examples of cooperation were shared and further modalities were suggested to coordinate work on issues of common interest. 27. Participants noted that collaboration between treaty bodies and special procedures was extensive and had contributed to the mutual reinforcement of each mechanism’s recommendations. It was also noted that collaboration and coordination was essential to avoid divergence in the interpretation of human rights norms by special procedures and treaty bodies. Increased cross-referencing of recommendations, joint meetings on thematic issues and country situations, joint activities on follow-up to recommendations, and joint advocacy (for example aimed at increasing the number of ratifications of human rights treaties) were advocated. It was noted that special procedures, in particular country mandates, could contribute to the preparation by treaty bodies of consideration of States parties’ reports through briefings and other input. 28. Several participants referred to cases where special procedures had contributed or were actively contributing to the development of treaty bodies’ general comments and where treaty bodies had been engaged in the development of guiding principles supported by special procedures. The importance of strategic information-sharing, in particular in relation to thematic priorities, was identified as an area requiring further strengthening; it was agreed that measures, such as an exchange of work plans and the use of new technologies, should be adopted to facilitate cooperation. It was also suggested that examples of best practices in implementation relating to themes common to treaty bodies and mandates should be collected. Systematic and more structured exchanges and interactions between the two mechanisms were also regarded as crucial. 29. At the joint meeting, it was recommended that the compilation should include additional and recent examples of good practices, such as those highlighted by treaty body members and special procedures mandate holders during the joint meeting or immediately afterwards. It was also recommended that the consolidated document should be finalized in consultation with the chairs of the joint meeting, kept updated and made publicly available. 30. The provision by OHCHR over the past year of regular updates and newsletters on the outputs and activities of treaty bodies and special procedures was welcomed, and participants in the joint meeting recommended further promotion of the Universal Human Rights Index website and use of other new technologies to increase the availability and accessibility of recommendations of the treaty bodies and special procedures, as well as those made in the context of the universal periodic review. OHCHR was also urged to maintain the forecast of country visits of special procedures and to make this available to treaty bodies, and also to inform treaty bodies when mandate holders were available at the time of their sessions. 31. Recalling that it was the primary responsibility of States to follow up on and implement the recommendations of the human rights mechanisms, participants in the joint meeting noted that the political bodies, including the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council, also had a role to play in following up with States on the implementation of these recommendations. 10