A/HRC/31/62 a transparent manner and persons with disabilities must be allowed to define the criteria of representativeness in accordance with their own procedures. The autonomy and independence of the monitoring mechanisms and of representative organizations must be ensured in order to enable their effectiveness. 4. International monitoring 91. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities underscores the importance of the participation of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations at the international level. It invites States to consult and involve representative organizations of persons with disabilities in the preparation of State party reports to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (see art. 35 (4) of the Convention). States should also consult with persons with disabilities when preparing their reports for other human rights mechanisms, such as other treaty bodies, the universal periodic review and the special procedures. 92. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities also invites States to closely consult and actively involve persons with disabilities, through their representative organizations, when nominating candidates to serve as experts for the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (see art. 34 (3) of the Convention). This provides an opportunity for persons with disabilities to suggest qualified candidates and to be nominated as members of the Committee. States should encourage applications from persons with disabilities and support their participation in election processes for this Committee and those of other treaty bodies. 93. In recent years, several proposals have been made to strengthen the treaty body system and overcome past challenges, including engagement with civil society.49 The ability of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations to participate in international human rights monitoring requires the availability of procedures and information in accessible formats. The universal periodic review, the human rights treaty bodies and the special procedures of the Human Rights Council, as well as regional human rights bodies, should increase efforts in this regard. 5. International decision-making processes 94. The requirement to involve persons with disabilities and their representative organizations extends to international decision-making processes. Such participation can ensure that the need and demands of persons with disabilities are adequately mainstreamed and integrated into the work of the United Nations system, including all its programmes, funds, specialized agencies and other bodies. The United Nations system should guarantee the participation of persons with disabilities through their representative organizations by proactively seeking their inputs in all international decision-making processes, including processes within the United Nations itself, such as the development and monitoring of system-wide action plans, strategic planning and management. For that purpose, the United Nations system should ensure the direct participation of persons with disabilities in international summits, high-level meetings, permanent forums and conferences of persons with disabilities. The participation of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations in all aspects of the implementation and monitoring process of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is imperative. 49 OHCHR, “Strengthening the United Nations human rights treaty body system: a report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights” (2012); and Secretary-General of the United Nations, “Strengthening the United Nations: an agenda for further change” (2002). 21