A/HRC/44/16 28. The Philippines highlighted the progress of Guyana in the fields of education, health and the fight against trafficking, among others. It welcomed the integration of gender equality as a cross-cutting principle in the Green State Development Strategy. 29. Portugal commended the efforts of Guyana to implement the recommendations it accepted during the universal periodic review, as well as the progress achieved by the country concerning access to water and sanitation, education and housing. 30. Rwanda took note of the legislative and policy developments undertaken by Guyana since the previous review cycle. It commended the commitment of Guyana to its Green State Development Strategy and welcomed its efforts to improve the social and economic well-being of its citizens, particularly through reforms and investments in the health sector and in infrastructure. 31. Saudi Arabia congratulated Guyana for its efforts to promote human rights and commended the measures it had taken to implement a large number of recommendations since the second review cycle, in particular those regarding the rights of women and children. 32. Senegal congratulated Guyana for the integration of gender equality in its Green State Development Strategy, as well as for its measures aimed at achieving universal schooling and gender parity in primary and secondary education. 33. Serbia commended Guyana for its efforts in the fields of education and health, as well as the situation of persons with disabilities, and improvements in access to drinking water and sanitation. 34. The Bahamas congratulated Guyana for its efforts to promote and protect human rights and commended it for the Green State Development Strategy, which sought to address key development challenges in a systematic and comprehensive manner. 35. Singapore commended Guyana for its progress in enhancing health-care infrastructure and services, including in remote areas. It also commended the significant investment by Guyana in education and its efforts to address the factors underlying the exclusion of children from education. 36. Slovenia noted that Guyana still maintained the death penalty in law. It called upon Guyana to consider acceding to or ratifying the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty. It also encouraged Guyana to address patriarchal attitudes and stereotypes that discriminated against women. 37. Solomon Islands congratulated Guyana on its achievements since the previous review cycle, including the establishment of the National Commission on Disability, which had taken consistent action to ensure the implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act. 38. Spain welcomed the progress made by Guyana in the field of human rights and congratulated the Government for the efforts made to protect the rights of women and girls. 39. The Syrian Arab Republic commended the efforts made by Guyana to implement the recommendations accepted during the second review cycle, especially those regarding strengthening the legislative framework for the protection of children. 40. Timor-Leste recognized the important achievements made by Guyana in recent years aimed at improving the country’s human rights situation. It highlighted the recent increase in the representation of women magistrates and the establishment of courts in all 10 regions of the country. It also commended the approval of a sexual and reproductive health policy and the efforts made to combat the prevalence of HIV/AIDS. 41. Togo noted that, despite the challenges faced by Guyana regarding availability of resources, the country had taken several initiatives to implement the recommendations addressed to it during the previous review cycle. It encouraged Guyana to continue in that direction in order to consolidate that progress. 5