A/HRC/4/48 page 44 Annex III REVIEW OF OBSERVATION, DISSEMINATION, ADVISORY AND TECHNICAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES OF THE OFFICE IN COLOMBIA 1. The OHCHR Office in Colombia pursues its work within the framework of its comprehensive mandate of observation, advisory services, technical cooperation, and promotion and dissemination. To this end, in 2006 it received substantial financial support from various countries. The main office is in Bogotá, and there are three regional offices in Bucaramanga, Cali and Medellín. 2. The work done in the area of observation serves as a basis for activities in the areas of assistance and technical cooperation. The aim of the latter is to strengthen the capacities of the State and civil society for the development of their work on the protection and promotion of human rights. In the context of its mandate, the Office maintains a permanent dialogue with the State authorities, civil society organizations, international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), churches, the media and diplomatic representatives. Observation 3. Through its permanent presence in Bogotá, Bucaramanga, Cali and Medellín, the Office conducts field visits and dialogue with different sectors, continuously and systematically analysing the situation of human rights and international humanitarian law around the country. The in-depth knowledge of the various regions and their situation enables the High Commissioner to identify priority areas that should receive attention from the State and civil society. The Office’s advisory and technical cooperation work is also based on this prioritization. 4. The field presence of the Office enables support to be given to the formulation and implementation of local public policies in the areas of human rights and international humanitarian law. Likewise, this presence facilitates areas for dialogue and consultation between local authorities and civil society organizations in the various regions. This work has a positive influence in preventing acts of violence and protecting people in a condition of vulnerability or risk, such as the indigenous communities, Afro-Colombians, local human rights organizations, trade union members and journalists. Advisory services 5. The OHCHR Office offers advice to State institutions and civil society through its ongoing dialogue on the application and interpretation of the international instruments on human rights and international humanitarian law (IHL). The High Commissioner has worked with officials from the Vice-President’s Office, Ministries, Congress, the judicial branch and control bodies to ensure that State actions, programmes and policies are consistent with the international commitments signed by Colombia, in accordance with a rights-based approach which includes differential and gender perspectives. Within this framework, Congress’s legislative agenda was monitored, national jurisprudence was analysed, State policies on matters germane to the