Executive summary This report outlines the discussions and recommendations of the Third National Human Rights Institutions’ (NHRIs) Forum held within the margins of the 69th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on 11 and 12 November 2021, virtually. The two-day Forum focused on the 40th anniversary of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights’ (African Charter) with the theme of ‘40 years of implementing the African Charter on human and people’s rights: harnessing our collective experiences towards the Africa we want.” It focused on four different areas for the complementary relationship between the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Commission) and the NHRIs namely: enhancing the affiliate relationship; follow up on decisions of the African Commission; Resolution 275 of the African Commission Protection against Violence and other Human Rights Violations against Persons on the basis of their real or imputed Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity - ACHPR/Res.275(LV) adopted in 2014, and business and human rights, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (Acta) Treaty. After the 2-days discussion, the Forum adopted a Declaration and Action Plan on Enhancing the Complementary Relationship between the African Commission and NHRIs and focused on how NHRIs can work with the African Commission on the four issues above. They were various recommendations as elaborated under each subsection with the main recommendations being: to convene a continental conference to interrogate the state of human rights in Africa; to advocate for COVID-19 vaccination equality and access; and to urge NHRIs without affiliate status to apply for the same and for those with affiliate status to submit activity reports every two years. Background The NHRI’s Forum was convened virtually on the margins of the 69th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on 11 and 12 November 2021. Its objectives were to: • Create awareness about the complementary ‘affiliate status’ relationship between the ACHPR and NHRIs and enhance the relationship the through clear delineation of the rights and responsibilities of both the ACHPR and NHRIs for better outcomes towards the 50th anniversary of the Charter. • Increase NHRIs awareness and resolve to undertake: the implementation and monitoring of Resolution 275; protection of business and human rights in the continent, and active follow up on implementation of the decisions of the ACHPR. The forum was attended by various stakeholders, including the representatives of the following: National Human Rights Institutions, State Representatives, African Commission, Civil Society Organisations, Academic institutions, and Development partners. The focus of the forum was 40 years of the African Charter. In June 2021, the African Commission launched the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the African Charter which continues through the year. The 40th anniversary provides a unique opportunity to brainstorm on innovations that could facilitate better functioning of the African human rights system and implementation of human rights commitments, to accelerate the achievement of the Africa we want. The NHRIs forum at the margins of the 69th Ordinary Session was a commemorative event to reflect on the complementarity between the African Commission and NHRIs over the past 40 years; and devise 4