Advice and support for international accreditation We provided timely and high-quality advice to support eight APF members - more than a third of our membership - seeking accreditation or reaccreditation with the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions in 2015–16. Our members said the advice they received was clear, detailed and allowed them to participate confidently in the accreditation process. Of the eight, five APF members were reaccredited with ‘A status’,3 one was accredited with ‘A status’,4 one was accredited with ‘B status’ and one was downgraded to ‘B status’. ‘A status’ accreditation means that an NHRI meets international standards and this recognition opens the door for it to participate in the work of the UN. Members of the successful Torture Prevention Ambassadors project gather in Geneva, June 2016 The APF is one of four regional coordinating committees of NHRIs. Regional coordinating committees have also been established to support the NHRIs of Africa, the Americas and Europe. At the international level, the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions promotes the establishment and operation of NHRIs in compliance with the Paris Principles. What sets the APF apart is the breadth and depth of the services we offer to our members, including thematic training programs, professional development resources and an innovative capacity assessment program. We are the only equivalent body that provides specialist advice on NHRI legislation and international accreditation for our members, governments and other stakeholders. We are also a leader among NHRI bodies in promoting and monitoring gender equality. 3 The reaccreditation decisions in relation to two members will take effect from August 2016. 4 The decision will take effect from August 2016. Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions Annual Report 2015–16 > 7