A/HRC/38/18 around participation, access to information and capacity development. It also highlights specific examples, where relevant.6 A. Regulatory and institutional frameworks for civil society engagement 14. Most regional and international entities had procedures in place that enabled the participation of accredited civil society representatives, including in their governing bodies, to varying degrees. For example, FAO adopted its internal Policy and Strategy for Cooperation with Non-Governmental and Civil Society Organizations, while WHO had its Framework of Engagement with Non-State Actors. The Council of Europe had recognized as an institution the Conference of International Non-Governmental Organisations,7 which participated actively in the development of the Guidelines for civil participation in political decision-making, adopted in September 2017.8 15. At the same time, civil society organizations regularly faced challenges that hampered their effective and meaningful participation, including bureaucratic obstacles, even once they had received accreditation.9 Some forums and meetings were closed, with no space for engagement. While in some cases it might be justified to hold closed meetings owing to confidential and security-sensitive information, such restrictions to civil society participation should be necessary, based on explicit rules and proportionate. As the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression noted in his 2017 report, each institution should identify how the restrictions applicable under human rights law applied in their particular context (see A/72/350, para. 21). 16. Some multilateral organizations had established advisory boards to guide them on areas of specific focus. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Civil Society Advisory Committee contributed to all aspects of the work of UNDP and systematized consultations between it and civil society, as the main institutional mechanism for dialogue on strategy and policy. UNAIDS had been the first United Nations programme to have formal civil society representation on its governing body, the Programme Coordinating Board. At the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), a global nongovernmental organization (NGO) advisory panel for the Executive Director had been set up to strengthen partnerships with civil society organizations in relation to the Fund’s advocacy strategies and specific initiatives. UN-Habitat had established two advisory boards to guide the Executive Director: the Youth Advisory Board and the Advisory Group on Gender Issues. UNESCO had a unique NGO liaison committee on collective cooperation, which allowed it to exchange information among NGOs and for coordinated actions. In its founding regulation, the European Union Fundamental Rights Agency had established a fundamental rights platform as a mechanism for the exchange and pooling of knowledge, which facilitated cooperation with and between more than 350 civil society organizations from across the European Union, working on a diverse range of fundamental rights issues.10 17. Several regional and international organizations had established dedicated civil society units or functions, mostly for communication and outreach, that provided support with respect to access to information and capacity development. For example, the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Civil Society Unit supported accreditation requests, while the NGO Liaison Unit of the United Nations Office at Geneva facilitated information-sharing with its 1,500 civil society contacts, and through briefing sessions. At UNODC, the Civil Society Team managed an online database of some 3,240 NGOs working on drugs and crime-related issues, while the International Organization for 6 7 8 9 10 6 See also A/69/365. Civic Space Initiative. Available at https://rm.coe.int/guidelines-for-civil-participation-in-political-decision-makingen/16807626cf. Congregation of Our Lady of Charity. Civic Space Initiative.