A/HRC/13/44 • The decision to accept with appreciation the offer of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand to host the Sixteenth Annual Meeting and Conference in 2011. 10. Welcomed the efforts of the Senior Executive Officers to contribute to the effective and efficient functioning of national institutions as well as to their close cooperation and coordination on issues of mutual interest and concern. 11. Welcomed the reports of APF members on their operations over the preceding year and commended them for their work. In particular welcomed the emphasis on subregional cooperation between NHRIs on thematic issues and capacity-building. 12. Welcomed the reports of the Governments of Australia, Nauru, New Zealand and Samoa and the intergovernmental organization of the Commonwealth Secretariat on the activities undertaken to protect and promote human rights including support for NHRIs. In particular they welcomed the commitments made by the Governments of Nauru and Samoa to actively explore the establishment of NHRIs and offered these Governments the support of the APF. 13. Welcomed the reports of NGOs/CSOs. Forum Councillors expressed their appreciation for the constructive and coordinated contribution of NGOs/CSOs, thanked NGOs/CSOs for their submissions, collective participation and advocacy at the meeting and stressed their commitment to meaningful dialogue and practical cooperation. Forum Councillors agreed to further consider: • Providing a session for NGO/CSO input into the APF annual meeting in 2010 • The NGO/CSO recommendations to strengthen institutional protection of human rights in the areas of the establishment and enhancement of NHRIs; the establishment and enhancement of regional mechanisms; the integration of human rights mechanisms with the work of NHRIs; NGO/CSO engagement with the APF Conference and Meeting and the protection of human rights defenders • The NGO/CSO recommendations on the role of NHRIs in combating corruption and the need for institutional transparency and in promoting freedom of religion and belief and the promotion of religious tolerance and coexistence • The NGO/CSO recommendations on human rights defenders 14. Was informed of serious human rights violations in a number of States throughout the region, especially Myanmar, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Occupied Palestinian Territory as a result of occupation, and the corresponding difficult situation faced by human rights defenders. NHRIs pledged to take all available steps to protect human rights defenders. 15. Considered the issue of Human Rights and Corruption and committed to undertake practical measures to combat corruption using a human rights-based approach and to promote awareness of the close linkages between corruption and human rights and the harmful effects of corruption on the enjoyment of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. 16. Considered the issue of Human Rights, Religion and Belief and the need for inter and intra-faith dialogue nationally, regionally and internationally to promote mutual understanding and the protection and promotion of human rights and the value of using a human rights approach to balance potentially competing rights. 17. Acknowledged the service and contribution made by Professor Ahn Kyung-Whan, former Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of the Republic of Korea and Vice-Chairperson of the ICC. GE.10-10269 25