A/HRC/15/39 compared the budget and staffing of the three regions, emphasizing that the African system was the most constrained by resources. Due to the size of the African region, the speaker pointed out, it had been beneficial to develop human rights mechanisms at the subregional level as well. In that regard, he referred to the development of the African Peer Review Mechanism, which was a political process along the lines of the universal periodic review and provided a review of human rights practices of Member States. He pointed out that there might be lessons there for the diverse Asia-Pacific region. 30. Regarding the development of credible and effective regional human rights mechanisms, the speaker underlined the importance of the political will of the Governments involved, as well as that of pressure and support from civil society. He ended by referring to the practice of holding moot court sessions as a means of paving the way for the development of human rights mechanisms that were able to issue legally binding decisions. V. Conclusion 31. The Bangkok Action Points reflecting the principal elements of the discussion were adopted by consensus (see annex). 32. In closing, the Secretary of the Workshop, on behalf of the High Commissioner and the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed his deep appreciation to the Government of Thailand for hosting the 15th Workshop, and for the warm hospitality extended to all participants. He extended thanks to all participants from Member States, national human rights institutions, regional organizations, members of the newly established AICHR, and the distinguished resource people for their invaluable contributions to the meeting, as well as the staff of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Mission of Thailand in Geneva, and OHCHR in Bangkok, Geneva, Cambodia and Nepal. 33. The Secretary noted that the discussions had demonstrated the ongoing relevance and value of the Asia-Pacific Regional Framework process. Indeed, with the development of the new ASEAN human rights system, it was noted that an exciting new stage was beginning in the long journey towards a regional human rights system for the diverse and dynamic Asia-Pacific region. The meeting showed the degree to which participants could learn from each others’ experiences and the different regional models which had evolved, in developing effective regional mechanisms which added value to the needs of the regional community and at the same time reflected and reinforced international human rights standards. The Secretary emphasized that OHCHR was very committed to accompanying the States Members of the United Nations and other stakeholders of the region on that journey and to facilitate the exchange of technical assistance and comparative experience along the way. The Secretary also noted the appreciation of the strong partnerships that had developed with national human rights institutions and civil society, which would continue to be such an important driving force in that process. 11

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