9 them in deciding, each within its field of competence, on the advisability of international measures likely to contribute to assisting States Parties in achieving progress in implementation of the rights recognized in the Covenant. 3. A trust fund shall be established in accordance with the relevant procedures of the General Assembly, to be administered in accordance with the financial regulations and rules of the United Nations, with a view to providing expert and technical assistance to States Parties, with the consent of the State Party concerned, for the enhanced implementation of the rights contained in the Covenant, thus contributing to building national capacities in the area of economic, social and cultural rights in the context of the present Protocol. 4. The provisions of this article are without prejudice to the obligations of each State Party to fulfil its obligations under the Covenant. Article 15 Annual report The Committee shall include in its annual report a summary of its activities under the present Protocol. Article 16 Dissemination and information Each State Party undertakes to make widely known and to disseminate the Covenant and the present Protocol and to facilitate access to information about the views and recommendations of the Committee, in particular, on matters involving that State Party, and to do so in accessible formats for persons with disabilities. Article 17 Signature, ratification and accession 1. The present Protocol is open for signature by any State that has signed, ratified or acceded to the Covenant. 2. The present Protocol is subject to ratification by any State that has ratified or acceded to the Covenant. Instruments of ratification shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations. 3. The present Protocol shall be open to accession by any State that has ratified or acceded to the Covenant. 4. Accession shall be effected by the deposit of an instrument of accession with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.