In its resolution 8/7, the Human Rights Council requested OHCHR to organize a two-day consultation in order to discuss ways and means to operationalize that framework, and to submit a report on the meeting to the Council.

On 5-6 October 2009, more than 300 representatives from States, national human rights institutions, civil society, academia and business, participated in the consultation. The consultation featured multi-stakeholder panel discussions about selected topics related to each of the pillars of the Special Representative’s framework. The agenda reflected the work streams identified in the Special Representative’s Preliminary Work Plan. The consultation was chaired jointly by Her Excellency Ms. Bente Angell-Hansen, Ambassador of Norway, and His Excellency Mr. Martin Ihoeghian Uhomoibhi, Ambassador of Nigeria.

In addition to the formal session, and to secure the highest degree of inclusivity and diversity of views and opinions, all participants were given the opportunity to organize side events in order to draw attention to any relevant issues of their choice.  Further, stakeholders were given the opportunity to provide written submissions on the topics of the consultation.

As a result of the events detailed above, OHCHR presented two reports to the Human Rights Council. A/HRC/14/29 contains a summary of the proceedings from the consultation. A/HRC/14/29/Add.1 features summaries of the proceedings of the side events provided by the organizers.