A/HRC/26/24 30. Timor-Leste: The Human Rights Adviser’s Unit is implementing a capacity development programme for civil society, including for the Timor-Leste Disability Association – a network of more than 20 NGOs working on disability – and its individual members, to increase their use of national and international systems to protect the rights of discriminated groups. The Unit intends to assist organizations of persons with disabilities to strengthen their monitoring, reporting and advocacy skills, and continues to support efforts towards the ratification of the Convention. 2. The Partnership 31. Cook Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea: ILO, UNICEF, WHO, ESCAP and United Nations Volunteers are implementing a range of activities with the overall goal of improving the lives and opportunities of persons with disabilities in these selected Pacific Island Countries. The activities are targeted towards assisting with legislative drafting and policy development in countries that have ratified, or are about to ratify, the Convention. The project further promotes employment of persons with disabilities at both policy and programme level – including advocacy to support employers and targeted skills development. Additionally, a pilot project on early detection will provide a strong basis for efforts to be replicated throughout the Pacific. Finally, the lack of reliable data on disability prevalence in the Pacific is addressed through work on statistics, in particular through census and national survey processes. This will draw from global and regional expertise and strengthen ongoing efforts undertaken by the Pacific Statistics Steering Committee. In addition, research will be conducted to explore the barriers to the ratification of the Convention in countries in the region. 32. Indonesia: ILO and WHO, together with UNESCO and UNFPA, are implementing a project aimed at strengthening the capacity of the national institutions in charge of coordinating the implementation of the Convention. This initiative supported nationwide high-level policy dialogues with mayors and the creation of a Network of Inclusive Cities, which aims to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and resources on the inclusion of persons with disabilities. Memorandums of understanding have been signed with the governments of Banda Aceh City and Yogyakarta City, with the aim of reaching out to other cities at a later stage. The project has supported the drafting of a framework for identifying key criteria in the process of building inclusive cities for persons with disabilities. The framework has been tested and applied in four cities, resulting in the drafting of strategic plans and the allocation of funds to address the social inclusion of persons with disabilities. These efforts will provide the basis for a yearly appraisal of cities in Indonesia, which is expected eventually to include a disability inclusion award. 33. Viet Nam is actively considering ratification of the Convention and ILO Convention No. 159 concerning Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) (1983), and is currently finalizing a national action plan to support persons with disabilities, with the final aim of developing a national legal framework in line with the Convention and other international standards. One of the main objectives of the Partnership funded project is to support the participation of organizations of persons with disabilities in these processes. C. 1. Americas OHCHR 34. Colombia: The Office’s efforts focus on Convention domestication and the involvement of authorities in adopting a national policy on persons with disabilities. To this effect, the Government has convened 15 regional meetings with relevant stakeholders and a national meeting, in December 2012. Additionally, with the support of OHCHR, the State 9