Sixth Inter-Committee Meeting of the human rights treaty bodiesGeneva, 18-20 June 2007

PROVISIONAL AGENDA AND ANNOTATIONS

Note by the Secretary-General

1.The sixth Inter-Committee Meeting of the human rights treaty bodies will be held from 18 to 20 June 2007, pursuant to a recommendation of the chairpersons of the human rights treaty bodies made during their eighteenth meeting held on 22 and 23 June 2006.

2.The present document contains the provisional agenda and annotations for the sixth Inter‑Committee Meeting.

PROVISIONAL AGENDA

1.Opening of the meeting and report of the Chairperson of the fifth Inter-Committee Meeting on the implementation of its recommendations.

2.Election of officers.

3.Adoption of the agenda.

4.Organizational matters.

5.Follow-up to the recommendations of the fifth Inter-Committee Meeting.

6.Enhancing the effectiveness of the treaty bodies: a coordinated approach to the work of the treaty bodies.

7.Enhancing the effectiveness of the treaty bodies: streamlining reporting requirements.

8.Meeting with United Nations specialized agencies, funds, programmes and other entities.

GE.07-421149.Meeting with non-governmental organizations.

10.Business and human rights

11.Adoption of the report.

ANNOTATIONS

Item 1. Opening of the meeting and election of officers and report of the Chairperson of the fifth Inter-Committee Meeting on the implementation of its recommendations

The meeting will convene at the United Nations Office at Geneva (Palais Wilson) on Monday, 18 June 2007, at 10 a.m. In accordance with the recommendation of the eighteenth meeting of chairpersons, a report by the chairperson-rapporteur of the fifth Inter-Committee Meeting, Ms. Christine Chanet, on implementation of the recommendations will be presented, prior to the election of a new Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson.

Item 2: Election of officers

The meeting will elect aChairperson and a Vice-Chairperson.

Item 3. Adoption of the agenda

The meeting will adopt its agenda on the basis of the provisional agenda contained in the present document.

Item 4. Organizational matters

Under this agenda item, the meeting will consider and adopt a programme of work.

Item 5. Follow-up to the recommendations of the fifth Inter-Committee Meeting

Participants will consider follow-up to the recommendations of the fifth Inter‑Committee Meeting, held from 19 to 21 June 2006. A report by the Secretariat on implementation of the recommendations of the fifth Inter-Committee Meeting and the eighteenth meeting of chairpersons of human rights treaty bodies (HRI/MC/2007/6), which provides information on the follow-up actions taken by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Division for the Advancement of Women and the treaty bodies with regard to these recommendations, will be provided to participants.

Item 6. Enhancing the effectiveness of the treaty bodies: a coordinated approach to the work of the treaty bodies

Under this agenda item, the participants will discuss the working methods of treaty bodies, including coordination and possibilities for harmonization. The meeting will consider the reports of the working group on harmonization of working methods (HRI/MC/2007/2 and Add.1). The meeting will also have before it an updated version of the report on the working methods of the human rights treaty bodies (HRI/MC/2007/4), the report of the second meeting of the working group on reservations (HRI/MC/2007/5), an updated version of the report on reservations (HRI/MC/2005/5/Add.2) and the report of the seminar on recommendations of United Nations expert bodies (HRI/MC/2007/7). Participants will also meet with representatives of the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (ICC) to discuss the Conclusions of the International Roundtable on the role of national human rights institutions (HRI/MC/2007/3). Furthermore, participants will receive an update on progress achieved in relation to the use of statistical information, including the development of further lists of indicators to complement the report on indicators for monitoring compliance with international human rights instruments (HRI/MC/2006/7).

Item 7. Enhancing the effectiveness of the treaty bodies: streamlining reporting requirements

Under this agenda item, strengthening support to, and enhancing the effectiveness of, the treaty bodies and streamlining treaty body reporting procedures and requirements will be considered. The meeting will consider progress made with respect to the revision of the treaty-specific reporting guidelines and practical experiences of States that have embarked on the preparation of a Common Core Document. Furthermore, participants will meet with Mr. Christoph Spenlé, an expert from the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs who will make a presentation on approaches to streamlined reporting using a web-based tool.

Item 8. Meeting with the United Nations specialized agencies, funds and programmes and other entities

Under this item, United Nations departments, specialized agencies, funds and programmes, and other entities such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union, that work with the treaty bodies will discuss the reform of the United Nations system, including harmonization of working methods.

Item 9. Meeting with non-governmental organizations

Under this agenda item, non-governmental organizations will provide information on interaction with human rights treaty bodies, and their views on efforts to reform the treaty body system, including harmonization of working methods.

Item 10. Business and human rights

Under this agenda item, Mr. John Ruggie, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises will present the outcome of a "mapping" exercise undertaken on treaty body recommendations and statements on state obligations in relation to corporate activity. This will be followed by a discussion on the issue of business and human rights in the treaty body context.

Item 11. Adoption of the report

Participants will adopt a report on their meeting, including conclusions and recommendations which will be transmitted to the nineteenth meeting of chairpersons of human rights treaty bodies, to be held in Geneva on 21 to 22 June 2007.

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