A/HRC/39/20 I. Introduction 1. The present report is submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 33/15, in which the Council requested the Secretary-General to report to it on the implementation of that resolution at its thirty-ninth session. 2. The present report outlines activities implemented since the previous report of the Secretary-General on national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights to the General Assembly (A/72/277), i.e. between September 2017 and August 2018. It should be read in conjunction with the report of the Secretary-General to the Human Rights Council on the activities of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions in accrediting national institutions in compliance with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles) (A/HRC/39/21). 3. In resolution 33/15, the Human Rights Council commended the important role of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in assisting the development of independent and effective national human rights institutions, in accordance with the Paris Principles. It also recognized the potential for strengthened and complementary cooperation among OHCHR, the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, regional networks of national human rights institutions and national human rights institutions in the promotion and protection of human rights. The Council also encouraged the Secretary-General to continue to give high priority to requests from Member States for assistance in the establishment and strengthening of national human rights institutions in accordance with the Paris Principles. 4. It should be noted that, in its resolution 33/15, the Council also recognized the importance of the independent voice of national human rights institutions in promoting and protecting all human rights, particularly in the context of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It thus welcomed the adoption of the Mérida Declaration on the role of national human rights institutions in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 1 5. The existence of independent national human rights institutions compliant with the Paris Principles has been recognized as an indicator of progress by States under Sustainable Development Goal 16 to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels (see indicator 16.a.1). II. Support by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to national human rights institutions A. Advisory services 6. The National Institutions, Regional Mechanisms and Civil Society Section is the focal point within OHCHR for the coordination of the activities to establish and/or strengthen national human rights institutions. Together with the field presences of OHCHR and other United Nations entities, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), OHCHR assists Governments in establishing national human rights institutions and/or contributes to building their capacity. In that context, OHCHR works closely with regional intergovernmental organizations, academic institutions, civil society and other stakeholders. 1 See A/HRC/31/NI/14, annex. 3