- 20 - take part in cultural life (seventh session); the rights of the ageing and elderly (eighth session); the right to health (ninth session); the role of social safety nets (tenth session); human rights education (eleventh session); the interpretation and practical application of the obligations incumbent on States parties (twelfth session); and a draft optional protocol to the Covenant (thirteenth session). F. Other consultations 45. The Committee has sought to coordinate its activities with those of other bodies to the greatest extent possible and to draw as widely as it can upon available expertise in the fields of its competence. For this purpose, it has consistently invited individuals such as special rapporteurs of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, chairpersons of Commission on Human Rights working groups and others to address it and engage in discussions. 46. The Committee has also sought to draw on the expertise of the relevant specialized agencies and United Nations organs, both in its work as a whole and, more particularly, in the context of its general discussions. 47. In addition, the Committee has invited a variety of experts who have a particular interest in, and knowledge of, some of the issues under review to contribute to its discussions. These contributions have added considerably to its understanding of some aspects of the questions arising under the Covenant. G. General comments 48. In response to an invitation addressed to it by the Economic and Social Council, the Committee decided to begin, as from its third session, the preparation of general comments based on the various articles and provisions of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights with a view to assisting the States parties in fulfilling their reporting obligations. 49. By the end of its thirteenth session, the Committee and the Sessional Working Group of Governmental Experts which existed prior to the creation of the Committee had examined 153 initial reports, 71 second periodic reports concerning rights covered by articles 6 to 9, 10 to 12 and 13 to 15 of the Covenant, and 25 global reports. This work covered a significant number of the States parties to the Covenant, which totalled 133 at the end of the thirteenth session. They represented all regions of the world, with different political, legal, socio-economic and cultural systems. Their reports submitted so far had illustrated many of the problems which might arise in implementing the Covenant, although they had not yet provided any complete picture of the global situation with regard to the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights. 50. The Committee endeavours, through its general comments, to make the experience gained so far through the examination of those reports available for the benefit of all States parties in order to assist and promote their further implementation of the Covenant; to draw the attention of the States parties to insufficiencies disclosed by a large number of reports; to suggest improvements in the reporting procedures and to stimulate the activities of