At the opening of its twenty-sixth session, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women -– the monitoring body for the implementation of the Convention against such discrimination -- discussed recent progress and future action. Adopting its agenda and programme of work, the Committee agreed that during the current session, which is to last until 1 February, it will examine reports of eight States parties. The Committee's 23 experts, who act in their personal capacity, are also expected to continue their work on a new recommendation to address article 4.1 of the Convention on temporary special measures aimed at accelerating de facto equality between men and women.