A/HRC/40/17 104. Tunisia welcomed the efforts made by Malta to strengthen its legal and institutional framework, to expand the powers of the National Human Rights and Equality Commission and to ratify various international human rights instruments, particularly the Istanbul Convention. 105. The delegation of Malta thanked Member States for putting forward questions and recommendations during the interactive dialogue. The Government was determined to accept as many recommendations as it was in a position to do in order to improve further the living standards and quality of life of its citizens. 106. Malta had made significant progress due to the ratification of various human rights instruments and its membership of the United Nations, the Council of Europe and the European Union. The Government would continue to build on those achievements. 107. The retrospective assessment of the previous reviews had demonstrated that Malta had made progress in many areas, notably in the protection of the rights of minorities and women. The Government had introduced cohabitation rights, civil unions and marriage equality for all couples, regardless of gender or sexual identity. The right to family life and equal adoption had been extended to single persons. 108. Furthermore, Malta had made efforts to ensure that persons with disabilities were able to live independently and to promote their inclusion in the labour market. To ensure the economic independence of women, measures had been taken to facilitate employment or re-entry to the labour market. Malta had opened up to foreigners and had continued to honour its obligations towards refugees and persons enjoying subsidiary protection. Progress had also been made in the protection of the rights of women and persons with disabilities. 109. In conclusion, it was imperative for the Government to continue its efforts to strengthen national institutions, increase collaboration with civil society and widen social dialogue. Human rights should be mainstreamed across all policies and practices and serve as the main reference point for all future reforms. II. Conclusions and/or recommendations 110. The recommendations formulated during the interactive dialogue/listed below have been examined by Malta and enjoy the support of Malta: 110.1 Bolster cooperation with the United Nations treaty bodies (Senegal); 110.2 Intensify efforts to establish a national human rights institution, in accordance with the Paris Principles (Uganda); 110.3 Establish a consolidated national institution with broad competence in the field of human rights, in accordance with the Paris Principles (Ukraine); 110.4 Establish a national human rights institution, in accordance with the Paris Principles (Cameroon); 110.5 Establish a national human rights institution, in accordance with the Paris Principles (Spain); 110.6 Establish, in full conformity with the Paris Principles, an independent national human rights institution (Finland); 110.7 Move towards the creation of a national institution with broad competence in the field of human rights (Chile); 110.8 Accelerate internal processes for the establishment of a national institution for human rights, in accordance with the Paris Principles, as recommended previously (Costa Rica); 110.9 Consider further necessary steps to establish a national human rights institution, in accordance with the Paris Principles (Nepal); 11