ANNUAL REPORT 2004 5.2.1. Relations with United Nations Development Program (UNDP) The United Nations Development Program has been helping the Commission continuously since the short period of its establishment in enhancing its capacity and in developing the organization. The capacity development project of the National Human Rights Commission has been endorsed and the project is in progress. Under this project, the Commission was assisted and supported on various programs like giving training to the officers of the Commission, educational tours for the staff members and secretaries, renovating the Commission’s building situated at the previous Ministry of Supply ect. The support to the Commission by the different donor agencies are coordinated by United Nations Development Programs. 5.2.2. Relations with other International Human Rights Organizations Ever since its establishment, the Commission has received various kinds of support and help from different international organizations. The Commission has been maintaining a cordial relation with different international organizations for the protection and promotion of human rights. The Commission has been collaborating with various international organizations like Amnesty International, International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), European Commission and UNICEF for the protection, promotion and research in the human rights sector. 5.2.3. Relations with National Human Rights Organizations in the Asia Pacific Forum Ever since the NHRC became the member of Asia Pacific Forum, the Commission has been playing a very effective role in the activities organized by the Forum. Fourteen countries from the Asia Pacific region have been the member of this Forum. These countries have the human rights commissions established in accordance with the ‘Paris Principles’ adopted by the UN General Assembly. These institutions have been working for regional cooperation and also for the protection and promotion of the human rights so as to establish a national mechanism to help in the process of development. The expenses of the Forum are borne by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Australian government, the government of New Zealand and various other donor communities. The secretariat of the Forum is situated in Sydney, Australia. The Commission hosted the eighth annual meeting of the National Human Rights Organizations of the Asia Pacific Forum in Kathmandu from February 16-18. The meeting was inaugurated by the then prime minister Mr. Surya Bahadur Thapa. At the opening ceremony, Chairman of the Commission, the Rt. Hon. Nayan Bahadur Khatri welcomed the participants. Mr Matthew Kahane, United Nations Resident Coordinator (Nepal), on behalf of Mr. Bertrand Ramcharan,Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights, also addressed the inaugural session. In their opening statements, the distinguished speakers recognized the need to protect and promote human rights and ensure the rule of law in combating terrorism.The NHRC of Nepal, as the host institution of the annual meeting, was unanimously elected to the position of Chairperson of the Forum. The National Human Rights Commission of India, as the host institution for the last annual 61