Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions Figure 12: APF member staff time devoted to participation in international human rights mechanisms in 2012 and 2013 (average across members) 2013 General Assembly 2012 General Assembly 2013 Special procedure mandate holder 2012 Special procedure mandate holder 2013 Human Rights Council 0-20 days 2012 Human Rights Council 2013 Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights 2012 Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights 20-50 days 50+ days 2013 ICC meetings 2012 ICC meetings 2013 ICC conferences 2012 ICC conferences 2013 Treaty body review 2012 Treaty body review 2013 Universal Periodic Review 2012 Universal Periodic Review 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 UN Human Rights Council The APF participated in the 20th Session of the UN Human Rights Council held in Geneva from 18 June – 6 July 2012 and, in particular, assisted in the development of a resolution on NHRIs. The resolution was a significant step forward for NHRIs as it called for Paris Principles-compliant NHRIs to be able to participate in other UN meetings and forums, including the General Assembly. The Council’s resolution also: • welcomed the strengthening of contribution opportunities for Paris Principles-compliant NHRIs at the Council via its five-year review • welcomed the contribution of NHRIs to the ongoing treaty body strengthening process • welcomed the UN Secretary-General’s recognition of the contributions that Paris Principlescompliant NHRIs have made to the work of the CSW, the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Open Ended Working Group on Ageing • welcomed the efforts of the Secretary-General to encourage NHRIs to continue to interact with, and advocate for, independent participation in all relevant UN mechanisms, and • expressed appreciation for the work of regional bodies of NHRIs, including the APF. In addition, the APF made an oral statement at the Council session that addressed the SecretaryGeneral’s 2012 report on NHRIs and submitted written reports on the APF’s partnership with and contributions to the UN over the last year, as well as the APF’s Regional Conference on Business and Human Rights held in Seoul, Korea, in October 2011. 42 | 4. Engage with international and human rights mechanisms