region and in more countries than any other OSCE body or structure. The ODIHR strives to maintain effective and constructive relations with all 56 States. B. Effective human dimension meetings 174. One way in which the ODIHR assists participating States in implementing their OSCE commitments is by hosting the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM) every year in Warsaw,105 as well as by supporting the Chairmanship in organizing three Supplementary Human Dimension Meetings (SHDMs) in Vienna and a Human Dimension Seminar in Warsaw. The ODIHR has also provided assistance with regard to a growing number of additional human-dimension-related conferences held by OSCE States, often based on decisions of Ministerial Councils. 175. While the ODIHR plays a key role in preparing and conducting the HDIM, it remains a forum owned and shaped by the participating States. The topics and detailed agendas of human dimension meetings are determined according to the modalities adopted in 2002 by the Permanent Council in co-operation with the Chairmanship and the delegations. The degree to which these meetings satisfy expectations directly correlates with the efforts on the part of States to prepare the event thoroughly and make it the forum it was intended to be by attending at a sufficiently high political, as well as expert, level. 176. The HDIM has become the largest regional human rights conference in Europe. It provides an opportunity for the exchange of ideas and suggestions on topics of particular relevance. Presentations, interventions, and discussions cover an enormous range of issues, some referring to encouraging achievements, others to areas of concern. The most recent HDIM, which took place in the first two weeks of October, was the fourth to be organized under the modalities adopted in 2002. These allow for a more specific thematic focus, as three specific topics are selected each year for review and a forward-looking discussion. The strong and active involvement of States, international organizations, OSCE institutions, and representatives of civil society is a pre-requisite to a successful HDIM. 177. It was therefore encouraging to see that the 2006 HDIM attracted over 1,000 participants, which represents an increase compared to previous years.106 Of these, over 400 were representatives of more than 300 NGOs, who made use of the opportunity to contribute to the discussions on an equal footing with government representatives, thus enriching the debate and making exchanges more relevant and constructive. Forty-one representatives of 17 international organizations were present, making valuable contributions on the work done by their organizations in the human dimension field and thus facilitating a co-ordinated approach of international actors. Relevant reports and studies produced by partner organizations, primarily the UN and the Council of Europe, were routinely presented and discussed at the meeting. 105  Cf. PC Decision No. 476, Modalities for OSCE Meetings on Human Dimension Issues, 23 May 2002: “During each year in which a Review Conference does not take place, the ODIHR will organize a Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM) of all the participating States, at its seat, to discuss implementation of OSCE human dimension commitments. The HDIM will last 10 working days, unless otherwise decided by the participating States.” 106  For instance, in 2001, there were a total of 475 participants at the HDIM. Figures have been rising steadily in the past four years. 62 Common Responsibility: Commitments and Implementation