CRC/C/SRB/CO/1 page 3 Coordination 9. The Committee notes the efforts undertaken by the Council of the Rights of the Child to strengthen coordination among the various governmental bodies and mechanisms involved in the implementation of child rights. Nevertheless, the Committee notes that the Council has an advisory status and role only, and it is concerned at the lack of effective coordination among the various ministries. 10. The Committee recommends that the State party take the necessary steps to ensure effective coordination, particularly amongst its ministries and agencies, and strengthen the role of the Council of the Rights of the Child. National Action Plan 11. The Committee notes with satisfaction that a National Action Plan for the implementation of child rights, covering the period until 2015, was adopted in 2004 and local action plans were adopted on its basis. The Committee also notes that 25 strategies have been developed and a separate budget has been allocated to the implementation of the National Action Plan. However, the Committee is concerned that the National Action Plan is not applied in all municipalities through local plans of action. The Committee is also concerned that the strategies are not fully harmonized with the National Action Plan. 12. The Committee encourages the State party to implement effectively its National Action Plan for children which should aim at the realization of the principles and provisions of the Convention, and to ensure its implementation in all municipalities. The National Action Plan should take into account, inter alia, the Declaration and the Plan of Action “A World Fit for Children” adopted by the General Assembly at the Special Session on Children, held in May 2002, and its mid-term review 2007. Furthermore, the Committee recommends that the State party ensure that the strategies and the National Action Plan are harmonized in a comprehensive manner. The State party should also take all necessary measures to ensure a specific and adequate budget allocation and provide professional resources as well as follow-up and evaluation mechanisms for the full implementation of the National Action Plan to regularly assess progress achieved and identify possible deficiencies. Independent monitoring 13. The Committee welcomes the establishment of the Ombudsman’s office at the national level, in the autonomous Province of Vojvodina and in 13 municipalities. The Committee also welcomes the fact that the Ombudsman will be responsible for investigating alleged breaches of human rights, including those related to children. The Committee acknowledges the draft law on the Ombudsman for the Rights of the Child. However, it is concerned that a Deputy at the national level specializing in child rights has yet to be appointed by Parliament and the budget for that office has yet to be approved, and that there is no specific mandate to monitor the implementation of the Convention. The Committee is also concerned that recommendations of the relevant Ombudsmen may not be fully complied with and at the lack of coordination between the Ombudsmen’s structures at national, provincial and local levels.