A/HRC/44/16 42. Trinidad and Tobago took note of the multifaceted Green State Development Strategy of Guyana, which aimed to achieve eight development objectives. It encouraged Guyana to continue its work towards fully eliminating trafficking in persons and applauded its ratification of or accession to various international instruments related to the protection of children. 43. Tunisia welcomed the efforts made by Guyana to implement the recommendations from the previous review cycle, including accession to a large number of international conventions and the adoption of national laws and programmes related to human rights, such as legislation to combat the sexual exploitation of children. 44. Ukraine appreciated the steps taken by Guyana towards the elimination of discrimination against women and the prevention of trafficking in women and girls. It encouraged the Government to continue its efforts in this direction, paying special attention to awareness-rising campaigns, and to bring perpetrators to justice. 45. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland noted that Guyana had not yet ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, despite committing to do so. It commended efforts to promote media freedom and urged the Government to establish a formal moratorium on executions, with a view to eventual abolition. 46. The United States of America was concerned about recent actions by Guyana that might undermine democratic principles, including apparent misapplication of its Constitution, and certain court rulings. 47. Uruguay welcomed the progress made by Guyana to improve its institutional and regulatory framework in order to speed up the elimination of discrimination against women and promote gender equality, including the launch of a national gender and social inclusion policy and a strategic plan for the development of women. 48. Vanuatu commended Guyana for its Green State Development Strategy, which aimed to achieve eight development objectives, including the transition to renewable and clean energy; a healthy, educated and socially cohesive population; the sustainable management of natural resources; and resilient infrastructure and green towns. 49. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela noted the efforts of Guyana to reduce the levels of crime and violence. It also noted various challenges in the area of health and was concerned that the suicide rate in the country was one of the highest in the world, constituting a serious public health problem. 50. Afghanistan congratulated Guyana on the measures taken to achieve universal school enrolment and on reaching gender parity in both primary and secondary education. It also commended the adoption of a national policy on child labour in 2019 and its commitment to ensure 40 per cent representation of women in the Cabinet. 51. Algeria welcomed the measures taken by Guyana to ensure that all children attended school, which had enabled Guyana to achieve gender parity in primary and secondary education. It also welcomed the launch of the national action plan to prevent and combat trafficking in persons 2019–2020, as well as the opening of facilities for victims of trafficking. 52. Argentina regretted that the national report had not been available in a timely manner. It congratulated Guyana for the approval of the national gender and social inclusion policy and encouraged it to continue working on its full implementation. 53. Australia welcomed reforms implemented by Guyana to strengthen the human rights framework and its active engagement in the universal periodic review process. 54. Azerbaijan commended the measures taken by Guyana to eliminate trafficking in persons, in particular the creation of the national action plan for the elimination of trafficking in persons in 2019 and 2020. 55. Seychelles commended the introduction by Guyana of a minimum wage in the public sector, as well as the development of a policy on special needs education and the opening of facilities for victims of trafficking. 6