A/HRC/10/24 page 19 measures on the rights of women and children. The possibility for special procedures mandate-holders to schedule their visit to a country prior to the consideration of that country by a treaty body monitoring issues falling under their mandate was flagged by one mandate-holder. 72. It was recommended that consultations should be held in advance on common procedural and thematic issues to be discussed by the joint meeting of treaty bodies and special procedures the following year. IX. CONSULTATIONS WITH NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS AND NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS 73. Participants had an open discussion with representatives of non-governmental organizations and national human rights organizations, who were invited to discuss increased interaction to strengthen follow-up to the work of the special procedures. 74. Appreciation was expressed by civil society organizations for the professionalism and effectiveness with which the Committee and other mandate-holders had participated in the institution-building process. The non-governmental organization representatives expressed the hope that the Committee would work closely with the President in the following year. Several civil society representatives welcomed the adoption of the internal advisory procedure to review practices and working methods and the manual of the United Nations human rights special procedures, as they constituted sound guidelines that would help mandate-holders to uphold the highest standards of effectiveness and integrity. 75. All non-governmental organizations expressed their strong support for the special procedures system. They agreed that the cooperation of non-governmental organizations was of paramount importance in ensuring follow-up and implementation of mandate-holders’ recommendations. Some civil society organizations shared good practices in following up on mandate-holders’ recommendations. The organization of follow-up seminars relating to country recommendations or guidelines further to the thematic reports of special rapporteurs was mentioned. Several non-governmental organizations supported the idea of a joint communications report to the Council. 76. Non-governmental organizations indicated how the work of special procedures is used to further advocacy, promoting greater respect for human rights, especially at the national level. They made suggestions about how the work of special procedures could be followed up. In that regard, they particularly referred to the universal periodic review as an important entry point for building on the recommendations of special procedures. Communications by special procedures were highlighted as an important tool, and recommendations were made to further improve it. Joint activities by special procedures, including country visits and follow-up reports, were mentioned as positive developments. The organizations also noted the important role played in monitoring implementation of special procedures’ recommendations at the country level. Thematic issues that cross different mandates, including children’s rights, gender, sexual orientation and drug abuse, were also raised. The need to identify and fill protection gaps was noted. While neither the Committee nor the special procedures as a whole saw their role as being to review protection gaps, particularly in order to identify the need to establish new special procedures, individual mandate-holders were free to make observations in that regard in the fulfilment of their respective mandates.