A/HRC/41/28 35. From the third universal periodic review cycle onwards, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has provided advice to foreign ministers of countries through a letter sent after the adoption of the relevant outcome document by the Human Rights Council, flagging areas that need particular attention over the 4.5 years until the next universal periodic review, and offering support from OHCHR or the United Nations system under the leadership of the United Nations Resident Coordinator. 36. During the reporting period, the Voluntary Fund for participation in the universal periodic review continued to facilitate the participation of developing countries, in particular least developed countries, in the sessions of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review at which they were considered. Assistance was also provided to requesting States to enable them to participate in the adoption of their outcome document by the Human Rights Council during its plenary sessions. In that regard, the secretariat followed up with delegations through a more proactive approach, which included sending targeted correspondence, to ensure that all States entitled to assistance under the Fund could avail themselves of the opportunity. 37. Since the launching of the universal periodic review process and in recognition of the inherent challenge of ensuring that participation is indeed universal, the needs and constraints of least developed countries have been considered. Ensuring the informed, regular and full participation of States with limited resources and no representation in Geneva, in addition to the participation of all other States, requires regular outreach activities. 38. During the reporting period, the secretariat continued to help States not only to participate in the universal periodic review but also to understand the review as a full process, in particular at the national level, focusing on the implementation of recommendations made during the previous cycles. The activities supported by the Fund, including the joint workshop with IPU to promote the role of parliaments and parliamentary human rights committees in the universal periodic review process, the two regional workshops held in Uganda and Senegal, and the briefings organized by OHCHR during the sessions of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review for members of delegations, contribute to that understanding. These workshops and briefings allow Member States to share their best practices regarding their national implementation and follow-up processes. The secretariat also encouraged States to nominate a senior representative from the national mechanism for reporting and follow-up as a member of the delegation benefiting from the travel assistance under the Fund. 39. The Voluntary Fund for participation in the universal periodic review is instrumental in ensuring the presence of many delegation members. It allows those members to participate in and contribute to the presentation of national reports describing the implementation of previous recommendations at the national level, which further feeds into an interactive dialogue that is universal, independent, impartial and non-politicized, the quality of which contributes anew to recommendations that are constructive, specific, action-oriented and implementable, taking into account national capacities. OHCHR will continue this strategic use of the Fund, which contributes to the increasing understanding of the review as a full process, in particular at the national level, focusing on the implementation of recommendations. 9