A/HRC/42/2 children and persons with disabilities. It welcomed the efforts to implement most of the recommendations. 512. Seychelles thanked the constructive engagement of Côte d’Ivoire with the universal periodic review and commended the country for accepting a large majority of recommendation, including two issued by Seychelles. It noted encouraging steps to protect and promote human rights, including progress towards the adoption of marriage laws aimed at promoting gender equality. 513. Sierra Leone commended strides made by Côte d’Ivoire in fulfilling its human rights obligations despite many challenges, as demonstrated in the legal and normative framework established following the previous review. It noted the efforts to reform the judicial and prison systems, and the National Development Plan 2016–2020. It appreciated that Côte d’Ivoire had supported three recommendations issued by Sierra Leone. 514. South Africa appreciated the acceptance by Côte d’Ivoire of its recommendations. It welcomed the new Constitution aimed at protecting human rights, civil liberties and dignity, which will contribute to strengthening democracy and the rule of law. It was encouraged by the National Development Plan and its speedy implementation. 515. The Sudan appreciated the efforts of Côte d’Ivoire to promote and protect human rights as well as the engagement with the Human Rights Council mechanisms, in particular the universal periodic review. It appreciated the acceptance of the majority of recommendations, including those issued by the Sudan, and wished success in their implementation. 516. UN Women welcomed the efforts towards economic emergence and sustainable development and encouraged the country to accelerate transformative change for gender equality. It noted the President’s commitment to eliminate all forms of gender-based violence and consolidate the gender parity principle by 2020. It committed to support the national efforts aimed at strengthening national capacity on gender equality and women’s empowerment; the Government’s efforts on strengthening the gender machinery for the institutionalization of gender equality and women’s empowerment; and the development of gender statistics. It reaffirmed its readiness to assist the Government in implementing the recommendations on women’s and girls’ rights. 517. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland commended the acceptance of its two recommendations on the National Committee for Monitoring Actions against Trafficking, Exploitation and Child Labour, and on the right to freedom of expression. Ahead of the 2020 Presidential elections, it encouraged Côte d’Ivoire to maintain a dialogue with journalists rather than sanctioning them. It also urged Côte d’Ivoire to ensure that 2020 Presidential elections are free, fair, peaceful and in line with international best practice. A free press is essential in creating the necessary environment for credible elections. Finally, it regretted that the country did not accept its recommendation to adopt an open and meritbased process when selecting national candidates for United Nations treaty body elections. 518. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) congratulated the commitment of Côte d’Ivoire to respect women’s and girls’ rights as well as the adoption in 2019 of familyrelated new laws and of a new Criminal Code. On family planning, it encouraged Côte d’Ivoire to increase its financial allocation to family planning so that the State is able to meet its commitment to achieve 36 per cent contraceptive prevalence by 2020. It urged Côte d’Ivoire to ensure access to information and quality services on sexual and reproductive health with a gender perspective, including the adoption of a law on sexual and reproductive health, in order to counteract teenage pregnancy. 519. ’’’’’The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela noted the adoption of a new Constitution in line with human rights commitments and the ratification of the Convention on the Rights 81