A/HRC/43/64 63. A summary was provided of how special procedures had contributed to the prevention role of the United Nations and how they could collectively move from playing an early warning function to taking early action, including by assisting in the development of a prevention strategy. During the ensuing discussions, mandate holders referred to country-specific challenges in preventing human rights abuses and to early warning signs that had been shared but in relation to which no timely action had been taken. Hence, they reiterated their call for more effective action to be taken to prevent serious human rights violations. They also called for access to United Nations decision-making bodies and to entities such as the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and the Department of Peace Operations. They recalled that, in order to ensure prevention, a bottom-up approach that involved not only the duty bearers but also the private sector remained important. 2. Issues related to digital security 64. Mandate holders looked at the data security safeguards provided to them by OHCHR to ensure digital security in their daily work. They were made aware of the different security protocols that had to be followed and of guidance on reliable software applications approved by the United Nations. Options for better and more secure communications with stakeholders were explored. Mandate holders agreed on the need for greater awareness on digital security and for dedicated training on that issue for themselves and the staff supporting the mandates. 3. Opportunities and challenges involving artificial intelligence, big data and cyberspace 65. Recognizing the potential of new technologies to promote human rights and prevent violations, mandate holders discussed the opportunities and the challenges. While new technologies could assist in monitoring, investigating and reporting, they could also undermine civic spaces, spread hate speech, incite to violence and spread disinformation. New technologies involving artificial intelligence posed a risk to privacy through enhanced surveillance, the use of biometrics and digital identification. They could also lead to discriminatory policies on access to health, employment and justice, perpetuating marginalization based on gender and racial profiling. With the support of OHCHR, mandate holders had to work in partnership with academic institutions to assist technology companies in implementing their responsibility to uphold human rights and in developing products and services that did not have an adverse impact on human rights. 66. Mandate holders agreed on their critical role in documenting where big data analytics and artificial intelligence were being used in decisions and services affecting human rights. They also agreed that they needed to analyse existing laws (within and across sectors), develop the ability of individuals and groups to access remedies and integrate into their analyses how technology was being used in decisions and services affecting human rights directly. 4. Engagement with United Nation agencies and resident coordinators – focus on the Sustainable Development Goals 67. Several United Nations agencies based in Geneva (the World Health Organization, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS) and in New York (the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations Development Programme and the Development Coordination Office) participated in a discussion. Following the implementation of the reforms of the United Nations resident coordinator system, strategic opportunities had opened up for United Nations-wide collaboration with special procedures. However, statistics for 2017 and 2018 showed that such collaboration had yet to materialize fully. United Nations country teams had drawn on recommendations from special procedures to inform United Nations analysis on programme implementation and activities. Participants in the discussion agreed, however, that more should be done to ensure a systematic follow-up to recommendations, including on crucial support for country visits by mandate holders. 68. Reference was made to the Secretary-General, who had initiated a process to develop a United Nations policy, action plan and accountability framework to strengthen system-wide accessibility and mainstreaming of the rights of persons with disabilities. The 13