How we contribute to change A number of NHRIs in our region are newly established. Others operate in very challenging social, cultural or political environments. The APF works to support our members and to promote the establishment of new NHRIs in the region by: >> Providing advice and expertise >> Building stronger NHRIs >> Collaborating and sharing knowledge >> Promoting gender equality >> Contributing at the national, regional and international level >> Strengthening organisational leadership and governance. This annual report charts our work in 2015–16 to deliver positive results across each of these areas. Our activities are designed to deliver four high-level outcomes: >> Outcome 1: Increased number of NHRIs complying with UN and international standards. >> Outcome 2: NHRIs are better able to perform their functions in the areas of complaints, education, monitoring, advocacy and reporting. >> Outcome 3: A more conducive environment for the recognition and effectiveness of NHRIs at the national, regional and international level. >> Outcome 4: The APF is a well-governed, sustainably resourced, strategically directed and member-owned organisation. APF MEMBERS COLLABORATE TO END THE DEATH PENALTY Over the past year, a number of APF members have advocated strongly for the abolition of the death penalty in their countries. At our Annual Meeting in August 2015, APF members agreed to work together to persuade their governments to move towards a de facto moratorium or the abolition of the death penalty across the region. In the first of a series of activities to promote regional collaboration towards this, senior representatives from 13 APF members joined with NHRIs from other regions at the 6th World Congress Against the Death Penalty, held in Oslo, Norway from 21-23 June 2016. In a statement to the World Congress, NHRIs made a commitment “to promote the abolition of the death penalty, and to monitor, bear witness to, and report on the manner in which such sentences are determined and carried out”. At the start of 2016, we began a project to update the landmark 1999 report on the death penalty by the APF Advisory Council of Jurists. This will be a valuable resource to support our members in their advocacy with national governments and to foster collaboration between APF members at the bilateral, regional and international levels. Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions Annual Report 2015–16 > 5