A/HRC/23/27 IV. Cooperation with and support for national human rights institutions by United Nations agencies and programmes, and international and regional organizations A. United Nations Development Programme 101. Engagement with national human rights institutions is a priority area for OHCHR and UNDP. They currently support the establishment and strengthening of such institutions in a number of countries through joint technical cooperation initiatives, advocacy initiatives, capacity needs assessments, enhancing the capacity of Governments to meet international treaty obligations, and to prepare and follow up on the universal periodic review. 102. A second annual meeting to review the strategic partnership between UNDP, OHCHR and the International Coordinating Committee was held in July 2012 in New York. The purpose of the meeting was to take stock of the progress of the partnership and to identify areas for future cooperation to support national human rights institutions and their regional and global networks. Discussions focused on joint activities for the period 2012-2013, capacity and gaps assessment projects, and support for national human rights organizations on follow-up to universal periodic review recommendations. 103. The independent review of the OHCHR/UNDP/Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions capacity assessment project included a stakeholders meeting in Bangkok, in September 2012. A report on the project was prepared by a consultant. 104. Technical support for the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka continued through a joint United Nations programme on human rights. This included support for the protection and monitoring mechanisms of the Commission. In 2012, OHCHR and UNHCR also contributed funds to the programme. 105. UNDP Mozambique (see also paragraph 14 above) and OHCHR supported the process of selection of civil society members of the Mozambique Human Rights Commission by drafting rules of procedures for selection and by organizing a meeting of human rights civil society organizations. UNDP also supported four working sessions of the Commission and provided technical assistance in drafting by-laws and a strategic plan. A needs assessment of the Commission was conducted to enhance its fundraising capacity. 106. UNDP Kenya and OHCHR supported the re-establishment of three constitutionally entrenched institutions in Kenya, including the Human Rights Commission, and were involved in the development of their strategic plans and administrative rules and procedures. A four-year programme for institutional development and programmatic assistance for core strategic areas was developed to support their interrelated mandates. 107. UNDP Bangladesh provided capacity support to the national human rights institution by means of a project focused on institutional development; human rights monitoring and investigation; human rights awareness-raising; and research, reporting and policy development. As a result, the institution organized a consultation among stakeholders for the preparation of the report in view of the universal periodic review submitted to the Human Rights Council in October 2012. The institution also held countrywide public awareness campaigns and strengthened its capacity to provide policy advice to the Government. 108. In 2012, UNDP, in partnership with the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions, supported the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission to 16