A/HRC/29/54 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 15 June 2015 Original: English Human Rights Council Twenty-ninth session Agenda item 9 Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance: follow-up to and implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action Group of independent eminent experts on the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action* Note by the Secretariat In paragraphs 12 and 13 of its resolution 69/162, the General Assembly reiterated its requests to the Secretary-General, pursuant to its resolution 68/151, to revitalize and reactivate the operational activities of the group of independent eminent experts on the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, and reiterated its invitation to the Human Rights Council, pursuant to paragraph 16 of Assembly resolution 68/151, to ensure the visibility, effective participation and optimal utilization of the vast knowledge and experience of the group of independent eminent experts within its subsidiary structures, charged with the mandate of and responsibility for the comprehensive follow-up to the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance and the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, and in this regard requested the Council to submit a progress report to the Assembly at its seventieth session. In this context, the Secretariat hereby informs the Human Rights Council of the latest developments with regard to the group of independent eminent experts since its third meeting, held on 4 February 2014. At the third meeting of the group of independent eminent experts, Salim Ahmed Salim alluded to his withdrawal from the group to allow for the appointment of another person able to devote the time required to the work (A/HRC/26/56, para. 10). To date, the Secretariat has not received any news to that effect, and continues to send him information and requests regarding the work of the group. * Late submission. GE.15-09770 (E) 