I. ORGANIZATIONAL AND OTHER MATTERS A. States parties to the Convention 1. As at 18 May 2007, the closing date of the thirty-eighth session of the Committee against Torture, there were 144 States parties to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The Convention was adopted by the General Assembly in resolution 39/46 of 10 December 1984 and entered into force on 26 June 1987. 2. Since the last report, Andorra, Montenegro and San Marino have become parties to the Convention. The list of States which have signed, ratified or acceded to the Convention is contained in annex I to the present report. The list of States parties that have declared that they do not recognize the competence of the Committee provided for by article 20 of the Convention is provided in annex II. The States parties that have made declarations provided for in articles 21 and 22 of the Convention are listed in annex III. 3. The text of the declarations, reservations or objections made by States parties with respect to the Convention may be found in the United Nations website (www.un.org - Site index treaties). B. Sessions of the Committee 4. The Committee against Torture has held two sessions since the adoption of its last annual report. The thirty-seventh session (724th to 752nd meetings) was held at the United Nations Office at Geneva from 6 to 24 November 2006, and the thirty-eighth session (753rd to 780th meetings) was held from 30 April to 18 May 2007. An account of the deliberations of the Committee at these two sessions is contained in the relevant summary records (CAT/C/SR.724-780). C. Membership and attendance at sessions 5. The membership of the Committee remained the same during the period covered by this report, with the exception of Mr. Julio Prado Vallejo who had resigned in March 2006. Mr. Luis Gallegos Chiriboga of Ecuador was nominated to replace Mr. Prado Vallejo. The list of members with their term of office appears in annex IV to the present report. 6. The Committee expressed its deep sorrow at the death of Mr. Julio Prado Vallejo. Mr. Prado Vallejo played a valuable role in his country and in international bodies, in the international human rights field where he was a member of the Human Rights Committee, the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights and the Committee against Torture. He will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to work with him, for his competence, courtesy and his friendly personality. D. Solemn declaration by the newly elected and re-elected members 7. During the thirty-seventh session, at the 724th meeting on 6 November 2006, Mr. Luis Gallegos Chiriboga, of Ecuador, designated to replace Mr. Julio Prado Vallejo, made the solemn declaration upon assuming his duties, in accordance with rule 14 of the rules of procedure. 1