A/HRC/44/25 (b) Engage with national police and security forces on civil society issues in electoral and other contexts; (c) Engage with national human rights institutions, ombudsman offices and diplomatic missions on concerted protection responses; (d) Carry out risk assessments, where possible, maintain databases and mappings of civil society actors and human rights defenders, and refer civil society protection needs and cases to the United Nations human rights mechanisms on a regular basis. 2. Policies on and approaches to intimidation and reprisals for cooperation with the United Nations 54. A heightened level of responsibility applies in relation to those who cooperate with the United Nations by providing valuable on-the-ground insights and information about evolving situations and by advocating for relevant action. Reprisals and intimidation against them constitute an attack against the United Nations and risk undermining its work. A few United Nations entities reported that they have policies and guidance on responding to intimidation and reprisals against those engaging with the United Nations system. 55. Different United Nations human rights bodies and mechanisms – including the Human Rights Council, special procedures and treaty bodies, and OHCHR – have developed responses to reprisals for cooperation with the United Nations. Since 2016, the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights has been coordinating and leading a United Nations system-wide effort – including producing an annual report – to address reprisals and intimidation against individuals and groups for cooperating or seeking to cooperate with the United Nations in the field of human rights. The Secretary-General also announced his intention to strengthen the collection of information on such abuses by asking all parts of the United Nations system to report regularly on such cases and calling on them to support follow-up and seek resolution on reprisals cases by engaging further with States and partners to encourage examination and accountability. 56. The Office of the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman – the independent accountability mechanism for the International Finance Corporation, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, and the private sector arms of the World Bank Group – has published guidance, entitled “Approach to Responding to Concerns of Threats and Incidents of Reprisals in CAO Operations”. The World Bank has also developed the Inspection Panel Guidelines to Reduce Retaliation Risks and Respond to Retaliation During the Panel Process. 57. The revised policy on the protection of civilians in United Nations peacekeeping of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Department of Field Support directs all components of peacekeeping missions to avoid exposing civilians to risk or causing harm for cooperation with a mission. The policy includes measures to prevent reprisals, including for individual protection, and requires risk assessments for military and police components to mitigate civilian harm before conducting operations. IV. Conclusions and recommendations 58. As reflected in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a strong and active civil society is a prerequisite for sustainable development, peace, security and stability. The three “Ps” – civil society participation in decision-making, promotion of civic space and protection of civil society – are interdependent. Effective participation in international processes and bodies relies on free and vibrant spaces for civil society participation at the national level, which in turn requires respect for fundamental freedoms, access to information and physical security for those who speak up. Applying the three “Ps” structure helps to ensure a comprehensive approach to civic space. 59. The report shows that each United Nations pillar has developed good practices in relation to the three “Ps” to varying degrees, but gaps and inconsistencies remain. In particular, States should do more to ensure that the rules of intergovernmental bodies comply with human rights standards on participation and allow for more diversity. In addition, participation in other United Nations processes would benefit 13