A/HRC/RES/16/6 promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, drawing also on relevant outcomes of the meetings of the Forum; 8. Invites the human rights treaty bodies and special procedures of the Council to continue to give attention, within their respective mandates, to the situations and rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities and, in this regard, to take into consideration relevant recommendations of the Forum; 9. Decides to extend the mandate of the independent expert on minority issues for a period of three years, and requests the independent expert: (a) To promote the implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, including through consultations with Governments, taking into account existing international standards and national legislation concerning minorities; (b) To identify best practices and possibilities for technical cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner, at the request of Governments; (c) To apply a gender perspective in his/her work; (d) To cooperate closely, while avoiding duplication, with existing relevant United Nations bodies, mandates and mechanisms and with regional organizations; (e) To take into account the views of non-governmental organizations on matters pertaining to his/her mandate; (f) To guide the work of the Forum on Minority Issues, as decided by the Council in its resolution 6/15; (g) To submit annual reports on his/her activities to the Council, including recommendations for effective strategies for the better implementation of the rights of persons belonging to minorities; 10. Calls upon all States to cooperate with and assist the independent expert in the performance of the tasks and duties mandated to him/her, to provide him/her with all the necessary information requested and to seriously consider responding promptly and favorably to the request of the independent expert to visit their countries in order to enable him/her to fulfil his/her duties effectively; 11. Encourages specialized agencies, regional organizations, national human rights institutions and non-governmental organizations to develop regular dialogue and cooperation with the mandate holder; 12. Invites the Office of the High Commissioner, the independent expert and relevant United Nations agencies, within existing resources, as well as Member States, to explore possibilities for organizing activities to mark the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities; 13. Requests the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner to provide all the human, technical and financial assistance necessary for the effective fulfilment of the mandate of the independent expert; 14. Decides to continue its consideration of this issue in accordance with its annual programme of work. 45th meeting 24 March 2011 [Adopted without a vote.] 3