A/HRC/15/60 705. Algeria stated that Kiribati’s positions, as provided by the President on its behalf, reaffirmed its commitment to the universal periodic review and to strengthening human rights. Algeria praised Kiribati’s efforts to participate in the universal periodic review, despite the logistic difficulties. Algeria made an appeal for greater assistance for Kiribati. Algeria welcomed the fact that Kiribati had accepted the majority of the recommendations, including three made by Algeria. It encouraged Kiribati to examine positively Algeria’s other two recommendations, on examining the possibility of ratifying the main human rights treaties, and on seeking technical assistance from the international community and specialized United Nations agencies in order to create a national human rights institution and to overcome the difficulties and constraints noted in Kiribati’s national report. Algeria called on OHCHR to make additional efforts to facilitate the participation of countries with small populations such as Kiribati in the universal periodic review. 706. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland thanked Kiribati, through the secretariat, for its participation in the Working Group session. It appreciated the fact that Kiribati had been able to study the recommendations and to provide responses to them. The United Kingdom recognized that this exercise required a considerable effort by Kiribati in view of its obvious resource challenges. The United Kingdom looked forward to the implementation of the accepted recommendations, and hoped that Kiribati would accept additional recommendations from those that were still under consideration. 707. New Zealand stated that the adoption of the universal periodic review report for Kiribati highlighted the difficulties that States may face when participating in the process, particularly small island States without representation in Geneva. It understood why such a long and expensive journey to Geneva for a representative of Kiribati may not be an attractive option. As the first cycle of the universal periodic review came to an end and with the approaching review of the Council, it was time to consider this issue. New Zealand commended Kiribati for accepting the recommendations relating to the participation of women in decision-making and the need for an adequate law to prosecute cases of domestic violence. It expressed, however, its disappointment that more recommendations relating to the rights of women had not been accepted, particularly those aimed at ensuring compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. New Zealand was pleased to see that Kiribati was prepared to consider extending a standing invitation to all special procedures, while noting the difficulties faced by Kiribati in meeting reporting obligations to international instruments. 708. Australia commended Kiribati for its comprehensive and considered response to the recommendations made in the course of the universal periodic review, which was a major effort by Kiribati, given the small size of its public service and limited resources. By its active participation in the United Nations human rights machinery, Kiribati had displayed its commitment to human rights. Australia was pleased to note that Kiribati had accepted its three recommendations, and that the decision not to accept certain recommendations was primarily due to national capacity and resource constraints. Australia commended the President of the Council for the manner in which he worked with Kiribati to ensure the presentation of its responses. The universal periodic review process was an enormous challenge for Kiribati, and OHCHR had an important role in helping small States to manage this process. 709. Maldives welcomed the insightful and honest presentation made by Kiribati on 3 May 2010, and acknowledged that meeting the deadline for the submission of its position on the recommendations was a remarkable effort in the light of the small size of Kiribati’s public service and capacity constraints. Kiribati was a small island developing State with shared characteristics and common challenges with Maldives, especially the impact of climate change and capacity constraints. Climate change had a wide range of implications for the full enjoyment of human rights, and Member States had a responsibility to desist 188 GE.11-17043