Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions In terms of the (i) normative (ii) implementation (iii) monitoring and (iv) information gaps, at the national level a range of issues were identified including no, or inadequate, legislation, policies and programs and/or problems with a lack of funding and insufficient implementation. A number of States also highlighted law, policies and programs which they considered to be ‘good practice’ (e.g. age discrimination legislation, anti-stigma campaigns and so on). At the international level there was a split between the WEOG (which believe that the existing international standards are sufficient) and the GRULAC States (which believe that the existing standards, while applicable to older persons, have not offered adequate protection, visibility and specificity to older persons). A range of proposals were made by Member States including: • Elaboration of a new international human rights convention on age to ensure universal standards, visibility, a joint international response. • The appointment of a Special Rapporteur with a specific age human rights mandate to work in parallel with the development of a new convention. • Strengthening of the use and implementation of the existing international human rights standards and mechanisms to protect the rights of older persons. • Enhanced governance, policies and coordination in the context of the review of the Madrid Plan of Action on Ageing scheduled to start in 2012. • The Commissioning of further studies and data analysis on the development of indicators, monitoring mechanisms and an analysis of the social and fiscal costs associated with an ageing population. The APF was subsequently invited to participate in an ‘Experts’ meeting, which took place from 28–31 May 2012, in preparation for the 3rd session of the OEWG. The meeting made a number of recommendations concerning the format and structure for the 3rd session of the OEWG and formulated a range of questions to be issued to Member States for their consideration and response prior to the commencement of the 3rd session. International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions The APF’s four regional representatives, supported by the APF secretariat, participated in the ICC Bureau meeting in Seoul, Korea, on 10 October 2011. ICC Bureau members discussed and endorsed two proposals adopted by APF members at its 16th Annual Meeting. The first proposal was that NHRIs agree to formally seek participation rights in the UN OEWG. The second proposal was that the ICC Statute be amended to allow for greater flexibility in timing and location of the ICC International Conference, which is currently held every two years and rotated among the four regions. APF member institutions and the secretariat also participated in the ICC General Assembly, held in Geneva from 19–22 March 2012. At this meeting Dr Mousa Burayzat, Commissioner General of the NHRI of Jordan, was elected to lead the ICC. Dr Burayzat will hold the position until May 2013, when the Asia Pacific region’s three-year term as ICC Chairperson will rotate to a representative from the African region. He replaces Ms Rosslyn Noonan, former Chief Commissioner of the NHRI of New Zealand, who led the ICC for the past two years. 44 | 4. Engage with regional and international human rights mechanisms