A/CONF.171/13 English Page 113 strengthening of coordination and evaluation mechanisms to assess the implementation of the present Programme of Action. 16.12. Governments, with the assistance of the international community, where necessary, should as soon as possible set up or enhance national databases to provide baseline data and information that can be used to measure or assess progress towards the achievement of the goals and objectives of the present Programme of Action and other related international documents, commitments and agreements. For the purpose of assessing progress, all countries should regularly assess their progress towards achieving the objectives and goals of the Programme of Action and other related commitments and agreements and report, on a periodic basis, in collaboration with non-governmental organizations and community groups. 16.13. In the preparation of those assessments and reports, Governments should outline successes achieved, as well as problems and obstacles encountered. Where possible, such national reports should be compatible with the national sustainable development plans that countries will prepare in the context of the implementation of Agenda 21. Efforts should also be made to devise an appropriate consolidated reporting system, taking into account all relevant United Nations conferences having national reporting requirements in related fields. B. Subregional and regional activities Basis for action 16.14. Activities undertaken at both the subregional and regional levels have been an important aspect of preparations for the Conference. The outcome of subregional and regional preparatory meetings on population and development has clearly demonstrated the importance of acknowledging, alongside both international and national actions, the continuing contribution of subregional and regional action. Objective 16.15. The objective is to promote implementation of the present Programme of Action at the subregional and regional levels, with attention to specific subregional and regional strategies and needs. Actions 16.16. Regional commissions, organizations of the United Nations system functioning at the regional level, and other relevant subregional and regional organizations should play an active role within their mandates regarding the implementation of the present Programme of Action through subregional and regional initiatives on population and development. Such action should be coordinated among the organizations concerned at the subregional and regional levels, with a view to ensuring efficient and effective action in addressing specific population and development issues relevant to the regions concerned, as appropriate. /...