conflict situations (including restorative justice and reconciliation) and new threats such as terrorism, violent extremism, and organized crime require considerable joint efforts from the OSCE community. The deficit of democracy and full enjoyment of human rights in some parts of the region, incomplete or stalled transition to democracy in other parts, as well as the inherent challenges of democratic governance and new transnational challenges, all require our continued attention. As with any other part of the wider international architecture, the OSCE has been, and continues to be, a work in progress that needs to renew, revitalize, and re-energize itself to keep up with the changing nature of challenges. The OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the main institution of the OSCE in the human dimension, has seen dramatic change since its establishment, in 1991, as the Office for Free Elections. Naturally, it too has undergone reform and adjustment, and continues to evolve. A year ago, the ODIHR was called upon to make its contribution to the ongoing, OSCE-wide debate on reform. In Decision No. 17/05 on Strengthening the Effectiveness of the OSCE, the Ljubljana Ministerial Council tasked the ODIHR to submit to the next Ministerial Council in Brussels a report on: u The implementation of existing commitments; u Possible supplementary commitments; u Ways of strengthening and furthering its election-related activities; u Improving the effectiveness of its assistance to participating States, taking into account and answering questions put by participating States and in close consultation with them. The present report, “Common Responsibility: Commitments and Implementation”, reflects my understanding of the nature and depth of the commitments undertaken by participating States over the years, as well as the mandate given to this Office. I have also drawn from the rich debate over the past few years and from the relevant previous reports that focused on reforming, restructuring, and strengthening the OSCE and its institutions. The task assigned by the Ministerial Council includes the obligation to take into account and answer questions put by participating States. It also directed me to prepare this report in close consultation with them. In order to allow for timely consultations, participating States were requested to provide such questions. The majority of States responded to this invitation and submitted numerous questions in writing. The questions received provided a good basis for subsequent informal consultations with States throughout the year. In order to clarify crucial aspects of the most salient issues, participating States were again invited to provide their thoughts. In the course of informal consultations on 7 July and on 22 September, the most frequently asked questions were discussed with all delegations to the Permanent Council on the basis of a synopsis of key issues. We also made use of the regular human dimension meetings in 2006, as well as of other occasions for formal and informal consultation with governmental representatives from almost all participating States. A gathering of key   MC.DEC/17/05, 6 December 2005, para. 2.   Both Notes Verbales No. 62/06 of 2 February 2006 and No. 257/06 of 30 May 2006, as well as a synopsis of key issues, are annexed to this report.  Common Responsibility: Commitments and Implementation