A/HRC/44/50 association in multiple contexts, including recognizing good practices, the mandate holders have ensured that States have tools to comply with their international obligations in this field. 2. Early warning is critical 57. Challenges and threats to the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association are often complex, rapidly changing and difficult to anticipate. The mandate holders have striven to constantly improve their monitoring of global developments, enabling the mandate to identify threats more effectively. The mandate holders also strengthened coordination with other mandate holders, particularly with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, including by issuing timely joint public statements. These efforts not only result in broader awareness of issues of concern but also empower international actors to respond more swiftly and effectively. 3. International solidarity is essential to support local efforts 58. The importance of connecting national civil society with international and regional institutions has been repeatedly demonstrated. Diplomacy, transnational coalitions, emergency funds for persecuted human rights activists and organizations, and statements from regional and international human rights mechanisms have played a key role in supporting domestic advocacy against closing civic space. These efforts will continue to be essential in the years ahead. 4. Sustained engagement supports long-term reform 59. Ongoing and long-term dialogue with key actors has given mandate holders a better understanding of their context and created opportunities to advocate for an enabling environment for the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association. Sustained engagement, as opposed to sporadic action, has proven effective in certain contexts. In countries where the mandate holder was able to invest significant time, resources and actions – including through country visits, capacity-building and technical assistance – demonstrable impact was possible. 5. Engaging with actors outside the human rights community remains crucial 60. Civil society must be recognized by those outside the human rights community for what they are: essential allies in the struggle to build more democratic and prosperous societies. Civic space issues continue to be overlooked by these actors, however, including the business sector and development community. While the work of the mandate holder and civil society over the last decade shows that engaging with these actors, including through the 2030 Agenda, can offer a space for potential partnership and impact, results have been slow. More thought is needed on how such engagement can be made more effective. 6. Connecting with the public requires more resourcing 61. The mandate holders used many innovative communications tools to build positive narratives and influence public opinion in favour of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, in a context marked by the rise of anti-rights movements, the spread of their disinformation and the use of hate speech tactics. 53 This effort demonstrated that mandate holders can be effective communicators and shape narratives. Of course, communications strategies need time and resources to be effective. B. Strategic issue areas 62. While current work must continue and successful strategies must be expanded, the intensity and seriousness of the challenges facing the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association will require a renewed agenda that delineates how to create an enabling environment for these fundamental freedoms and effectively respond to the growing number 53 See CIVICUS, Against the Wave: Civil Society Responses to Anti-rights Groups (November 2019). 15