EXECUTIVE SUMMARY praised the idea behind the APRM and declared that Algeria was committed to implementing the findings. 1.11 During its visit, the CRM held extensive consultations with stakeholders, both in Algiers and in the departments or provinces (wilayas) in the interior of the country. In particular, it held working sessions with the APR Focal Point, the NGC, civil society organisations including non-governmental associations (NGOs), the media, universities, religious organisations, labour unions, women‟s and youth organisations, political party leaders, disadvantaged groups, the disabled, rural communities and groups of economic operators. The team was also received by members of government, members of parliament (national assembly and senate), decentralised authorities and local people‟s assemblies, the Bank of Algeria, specialised institutions, such as the CNES, the High Islamic Council, the High Council of the Arab Language and the High Commission for Amazighité. Other entities consulted included trade entities, professional bodies, the Federation of Small and Medium Corporations, and financial institutions. In addition to these consultations, the CRM held meetings with the different development partners, specialised bodies – the UNDP, World Food Programme (WFP), United Nations Children‟s Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the ambassadors of the G8 countries and African ambassadors in Algiers. A forum was organised for women, associations, political parties, interaction with the youth, debate with journalists and dialogue with political parties. 1.12 Alternating with their time in Algiers, the CRM also toured 11 wilayas across the country‟s six regions: the Coastal Region, the East, the West, the Hauts plateaux, the South and the Grand South. The following wilayas were visited: Guelma, Annaba, Sétif, Bordj Bou-Arréridj, Oran, Mostaganem, Tlemcen, Ghardaïa, Ouargla, Tamanrasset and Tizi-Ouzou. In each wilaya, the meetings began with plenary meetings and concluded with thematic workshops. 1.13 The CSAR submitted by Algeria shows the professionalism and credibility required by the AU. The APR Panel notes with admiration the high quality of the report, which is unambiguous and gives a candid account of governance in the country. The CRM appreciated the CSAR‟s analysis but felt, based on its own analyses and observations, that certain recommendations and action programmes devolving from it could be strengthened and targeted. Algeria, in fact, applies a model of best practice in the organisation of the assessment process, which received political support at the highest level, as is evident from the commitment of the President and his cabinet to the process. 1.14 Mrs Marie-Angélique Savané led another and, according to the schedule agreed upon with the Algerian authorities, final CRM to Algiers from 4 to 16 March 2007. The objective was to update the information in the light of the latest developments in the country and to finalise the APRM report on Algeria. 3