A/66/288 41. The Special Rapporteur also participated in a meeting of experts held in October 2009 in Sitges, Spain, and sponsored by the non-governmental organizations Kreddha and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Centre of Catalonia, at which the participants analysed sources of conflicts arising from extractive activities carried out by companies in indigenous territories and possible ways of preventing and resolving such conflicts. The discussions served as a valuable contribution to the report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people submitted to the Human Rights Council at its fifteenth session (A/HRC/15/37). 42. The Special Rapporteur visited Australia to attend a meeting entitled “The Sixtieth Anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights: The Situation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People of Australia”, organized by the Foundation for Aboriginal and Islander Research Action and held in Canberra in December 2008. The Special Rapporteur had the opportunity to meet informally with various governmental representatives, marking the beginning of a constructive dialogue in preparation for his official mission to Australia in August 2009. 43. In an innovative initiative by an indigenous government, the Navajo Nation in the United States has established the Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission. In December 2008, the Special Rapporteur attended a human rights orientation organized by the Commission for members of the Navajo Nation Council and engaged in a discussion with the Commission and Council members on ways to advance the human rights of Navajo people through the use of international human rights mechanisms. 44. In October 2008, the Special Rapporteur attended the sixty-fifth convention of the National Congress of American Indians. He gave a presentation on the use of international standards to strengthen the protections for the rights of indigenous peoples in the United States. The National Congress is a coalition of over 250 indigenous nations in the United States that works to inform decisions of the Government of the United States and Congress that affect indigenous peoples’ interests. 45. In October 2008, the Special Rapporteur, together with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, participated in a regional consultation of non-governmental organizations on violence against indigenous women in Asia and the Pacific. The consultation was organized by the Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development and was held in New Delhi. B. Country reports 46. Over the past three years, the Special Rapporteur has issued various reports on the human rights situations of indigenous peoples in various countries. Those reports include conclusions and recommendations aimed at strengthening good practices, identifying areas of concern and improving the human rights conditions of indigenous peoples in specific countries or regions. The reporting process typically involves a visit to the country under review, including to the capital and selected places of concern, during which the Special Rapporteur interacts with Government representatives, indigenous communities from different regions and a cross-section 11-44942 9