A/HRC/34/74 B. Forty-third session (general) 23. The Board took the opportunity of its session in Guatemala to connect and learn about the programmes of OHCHR other presences in the region; to take stock on the implementation of the programmes supported by the Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation; to develop its future programme of work, and to discuss matters relating to its responsibilities under the Voluntary Fund for Financial and Technical Assistance in the Implementation of the Universal Periodic Review. During the meeting, Christopher Sidoti formally assumed his role as elected Chair, to succeed Lin Lim. 24. Representatives of OHCHR presences in Colombia, Honduras and the Plurinational State of Bolivia, of the regional offices in Panama and Chile, and the Human Rights Advisers in Paraguay and Jamaica met with the Board personally or via videoconference to discuss their experiences in the area of technical cooperation in the region. After its discussions, the Board concluded that that investing in sharing experiences and expertise within the region would certainly be extremely beneficial to the work of OHCHR, for example in furthering the programme in newly established presences, such as in Honduras. The mandate of the Office in Honduras provides an excellent basis on which to make the most effective use of the full toolbox of the Office, its added value and expertise for the promotion and protection of human rights. In the view of the Board, the ability shown by the Office in adjusting its initial plans and programmes to the results of its informationgathering, in order to offer the quality support and products most relevant to the current situation in the country and the human rights challenges ahead, was exemplary. 25. The Board was particularly impressed by the experiences shared and discussed with members of the country office in Colombia, where so much has been accomplished in difficult circumstances. Challenges continue in the rapidly evolving environment. The discussions with the office were held at a critical time: soon after the signing – and subsequent narrow rejection in a referendum – of the national peace agreement; and when the renewal of the mandate of the country office was under discussion.1 The Board was briefed in particular on the office’s programmes on addressing violence, militarization, and respect and protection of human rights; the situation of human rights defenders; inequalities and efforts to support the rights of victims; and the fight against impunity. The Board found that the discussions on the work of the Office and support for national efforts to ensure investigations and prosecutions for extrajudicial executions carried out to inflate combat kill statistics (known as falsos positivos) were particularly relevant. It greatly appreciated the concrete examples of results illustrating the use of evidence-gathering (collecting evidence-based information and validating credible data) through monitoring work and close interaction with all relevant actors. Such examples are important for the design of appropriate responses and for proposing programmes and technical support to key partners on the basis of verified information. The quality of the information provided and the office’s partnerships strategy, which focuses on maximizing the impact and visibility of its programmes, deserve full recognition and further support in the current context. 26. The work of regional offices in the area of technical cooperation was discussed at length with the two regional representatives. In the context of the High Commissioner’s Change Initiative and the universality of human rights obligations, the Board strongly hopes for the future development of the capacity and reach of regional offices, in particular the specific thematic expertise required in each region. For example, one of the experiences shared by the regional office for South America in Santiago, regarding the deployment of 1 8 The peace agreement was subsequently amended and approved by the Congress. The mandate of the country office was renewed until 31 October 2019.