CAT/C/42/2 page 15 52. The OPCAT provides that the SPT shall consult with bodies established under regional conventions with a view to cooperating with them and avoiding duplication, in order to promote effectively the objectives of the OPCAT to prevent torture and other forms of ill-treatment.22 53. During the reporting period, the SPT has maintained close contacts with the Inter American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), with the two bodies working on guidelines for coordination The Executive Secretary of the IACHR was invited to a working group meeting with the SPT in Geneva and one of the SPT members participated, on behalf of the SPT, in a public hearing and plenary session of the IACHR in Washington concerning prevention of torture in Latin America. These meetings proved fruitful opportunities for exchanges focused on the work of each body and current developments relating to national preventive mechanisms. 54. The SPT likewise continued to have close contact with the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT). Members of the SPT met with the Bureau and Executive Secretary of the CPT in the context of each of the tri-annual plenary sessions of the CPT in Strasbourg. In addition, the Secretary to the SPT met with the Executive Secretary and other members of the CPT Secretariat in Strasbourg from 21 to 22 July 2008. These were important occasions on which to exchange ideas and information. The SPT and the CPT are planning to be involved in a series of training/capacity building activities in the field designed to assist in the development of NPMs. The programme is under the auspices of the Council of Europe and implemented by the APT. 55. The SPT and both regional international bodies are concerned to ensure that duplication of the programme of preventive work being carried out regionally is avoided and to optimize the impact of the system of preventive visiting in their common States parties. 56. The SPT also continued its close contacts with the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) at several regional meetings, as well as participating in seminars in Kyrgyzstan and Serbia in early 2009. C. Relations with civil society 57. During the reporting period, the SPT worked in close contact with international and national non-governmental organizations23 engaged in strengthening the protection of all persons against torture. 58. The SPT has had regular meetings with APT in Geneva. This international NGO has been a constant source of support and advice to the SPT, both during the SPT plenary sessions and over the whole of the period covered by the annual report. The SPT is particularly grateful to the APT for providing support, including much needed funding, to enable the SPT to develop better relations with other treaty bodies, NPMs and NGOs. The SPT would not otherwise have been 22 Articles 11 (c) and 31. 23 In accordance with article 11 (c ) of OPCAT.