A/HRC/15/36 Kombe (Democratic Republic of Congo), Jannie Lasimbang (Malaysia), John B. Henriksen (Norway), José Carlos Morales Morales (Costa Rica) and José Mencio Molintas (Philippines). 15. The participants in the session of the Expert Mechanism included representatives of Member States, the Holy See, six United Nations organizations and programmes, national human rights institutions (NHRIs) and a large number of indigenous delegates and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Approximately 500 participants were accredited to the session (see annex I). 16. The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, James Anaya, the Chair of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Carlos Mamani, and the representative of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations, Tegegn Melakou, participated in the session. B. Documentation 17. The Expert Mechanism had before it the provisional agenda A/HRC/EMRIP/2010/1) and the annotated agenda (A/HRC/EMRIP/2010/1/Add.1) as prepared by OHCHR, the advanced version of the progress report on the study on indigenous peoples and the right to participate in decisionmaking (A/HRC/EMRIP/2010/2), prepared by the Expert Mechanism, and the OHCHR contribution to the progress report (A/HRC/EMRIP/2010/4). 18. In addition, the report of the United Nations seminar on treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements between States and indigenous peoples was introduced and made available to participants (A/HRC/EMRIP/2010/5). C. Opening of the session 19. The outgoing Chairperson-Rapporteur, Jannie Lasimbang, opened the third session of the Expert Mechanism and gave the floor to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, who delivered an opening speech. 20. In her statement, the High Commissioner highlighted the fact that support for the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples continues to expand. She welcomed the endorsement of the Declaration by New Zealand earlier this year, which, together with the endorsement by Australia in 2009, further strengthens its role as a shared tool and framework for action both at the international and national level. She recalled that indigenous peoples continue to face discrimination and violations of their right to land and, all too often, to the fundamental right to life, and that in the search for solutions, expert guidance is always crucial. In this regard, the Expert Mechanism can play a key role by providing sound and constructive thematic expertise, studies and research-based advice to the Human Rights Council. She encouraged all stakeholders present to put to active use the results of the first study of the Expert Mechanism devoted to the right to education. She also stressed that the current thematic focus of the Expert Mechanism - the right to participate in decision-making - is a topic of paramount importance and called for the active participation of States, indigenous peoples and others concerned in the finalization of the study. The High Commissioner congratulated the five members of the Expert Mechanism for the way in which they have carried out their work, and for launching this new body in an exemplary manner through their sound and constructive approach. 21. In his opening statement, the President of the Human Rights Council welcomed the fact that the Expert Mechanism has been able to build a constructive approach in the implementation of its mandate, always aiming to achieve concrete results and engaging constructively with the Human Rights Council. He also recalled that the Council will be 7