A/HRC/7/69 page 10 33. OHCHR has supported the establishment of the Network of African NHRIs. The Constitution of the Network was signed at the 6th Conference of African NHRIs; the main purpose of the Network is to encourage the establishment of NHRIs in Africa in conformity with the Paris Principles, to strengthen the effectiveness of NHRIs in Africa, and to encourage cooperation among NHRIs in Africa. The Network includes NHRIs which are accredited by the ICC and compliant with the Paris Principles. The Network replaced the Coordinating Committee of African NHRIs set up in 1996. The Constitution of the Network provides that a permanent secretariat of the Network is established in Nairobi. With the financial support of OHCHR, an executive director was recruited as well as an assistant. OHCHR has encouraged other potential donors to support the Secretariat once a plan of action and programme of activities are defined. 34. An international conference on democracy and human rights in Africa focusing on the role of NHRIs was held in Cairo on 3 and 4 December 2007. Discussions focused on the African Charter for Democracy, Elections and Governance and the role of NHRIs; the role of NHRIs in promoting democracy and development; and the interplay between human rights and judicial independence. Participants included: Egyptian authorities, OHCHR, the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie; the League of Arab States; the African Union; and UNESCO. Senior staff of OHCHR participated in the event and delivered a keynote speech. 3. Asia and the Pacific Twelfth Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Forum of National Institutions 35. As in previous years, OHCHR co-funded the Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Forum (APF) which took place in Sydney from 24-27 September 2007. The Forum was held together with the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission and brought together 150 representatives from NHRIs, regional Governments, non-governmental organizations and the United Nations. The main goal of the meeting was to enhance human rights cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region through the promotion and strengthening of NHRIs. OHCHR supported and actively participated in this event, and an opening address was delivered on behalf of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. 36. The Twelfth Annual Meeting focused on the rights of people with disabilities. Participants highlighted the need for cooperation between NHRIs across the Asia-Pacific region as an important part of implementing the Disability Convention. APF members also agreed to establish a disability “focal point” in each NHRI and to communicate regularly at a senior management level to discuss progress in protecting, promoting and monitoring the rights of people with disabilities. The Advisory Council of Jurists presented its interim report on human rights and the environment. A key recommendation of the report is that NHRIs advocate for the adoption of a specific right to the environment. 37. In its Concluding Statement (see Annex II), the Forum expressed appreciation for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for her leadership in supporting the establishment and strengthening of NHRIs. The Forum also warmly welcomed the strengthened partnership with the OHCHR and looked forward to enhancing this relationship and its participation in the United Nations human rights system.