A/HRC/28/31 measures aimed at systematizing information sharing; development of a shared agenda of activities; provision of information for the Universal Periodic Review; cross-referencing jurisprudence and recommendations; and development of a matrix containing the recommendations made by United Nations and regional human rights mechanisms. 7. Participants shared information on progress made in implementing the recommendations of the 2012 workshop, highlighting challenges and presenting best practices, and made suggestions to enhance cooperation. A. Special procedures 8. There was a substantial increase in the exchange of information and cooperation between the special procedures of the United Nations and IACHR since the 2012 workshop, including the issuance of nine joint statements, mainly on freedom of expression; testimony of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment before IACHR in a hearing on solitary confinement in the Americas; the organization of a side event on the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners1 by the Special Rapporteur on torture, with the participation of IACHR, in October 2013; meeting between IACHR Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women and the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, in October 2013, and increased exchange of information. 9. The Inter-American Commission and the Inter-American Court on Human Rights found the United Nations human rights standards very important and useful when dealing with cases where there was no established case law within the Inter-American system. Support from United Nations special procedures and the exchange of information had been extremely useful, particularly for the preparation of country visits. The exchange of information with the Sub-Committee on Prevention of Torture prior to a country visit to Paraguay in 2014 was mentioned as an example. The Inter-American Commission stated that it was setting up a specialized section to act as focal point for enhancing cooperation with other human rights mechanisms. 10. The joint working group of representatives of United Nations and African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights special procedures reviewed the implementation of the Addis Ababa road map on cooperation,2 in 2013 and in 2014, and further reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation. Several joint activities were conducted within the framework of the road map, such as the issuance of five joint statements; joint conferences and seminars on human rights defenders, peaceful protests and business and human rights; expert meetings on the use of force by law enforcement agencies; and regular exchange of information. 11. The African Commission identified the primary challenge in the implementation of the Addis Ababa road map as being the insufficient budget for cooperation activities. The need to raise awareness among special procedures on proper implementation of the Addis Ababa road map, annual consultations and a sufficient budget were recognized. 1 2 Adopted by the First United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, held in Geneva in 1955, and approved by the Economic and Social Council in its resolutions 663 C (XXIV) of 31 July 1957 and 2076 (LXII) of 13 May 1977. Adopted in January 2012, in Addis Ababa, by the dialogue between the special procedures of the United Nations and the African Commission on Human Peoples’ Rights, with a view to enhancing mutual collaboration. 5