A/HRC/15/60 1. Views expressed by the State under review on the recommendations and/or conclusions, and on its voluntary commitments and the outcome 697. Pursuant to the request of Kiribati and on its behalf, the President of the Council presented Kiribati’s views on the recommendations, given that Kiribati was unable to be present at the meeting. Kiribati submitted its position and views on the recommendations in writing, and were contained in the addendum to the report of the Working Group. 698. Kiribati reiterated its commitment to the universal periodic review process in compliance with General Assembly resolution 60/251. When considering the recommendations, Kiribati had established a working committee, the members of which represented all relevant ministries. The committee’s findings formed the basis for Kiribati’s response to each recommendation. 699. Kiribati had analysed all recommendations and put them into the following categories, in accordance with national priorities: human rights and other international conventions; legislative reform; human rights institutions; rights awareness; the Kiribati national development plan for the period 2008–2011; child labour policy; human rights special procedures; gender and equality; the Convention on the Rights of the Child; health and education; and the environment. 700. Kiribati had accepted 42 recommendations, not accepted 11, while the remaining 30 would be considered in due process. 701. Kiribati acknowledged that reform was long overdue for many essential underlying institutions, noting that a thorough overhaul of the constitutional and legal frameworks would soon have to be carried out. Without this, there would be little chance for Kiribati to align itself strategically with international conventions and practices. 702. Kiribati faced real challenges posed by climate change. National priorities had thus evolved around concerted efforts to protect the environment, biodiversity and natural living ecosystems. The Government’s scarce financial resources were diverted to programmes to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, given that rising sea levels threatened the very foundations of its fragile islands and livelihoods. 703. Kiribati would continue to work closely with the international community as it sought to achieve fully the objectives of each accepted recommendation. The realization of all recommendations would hinge very much on the availability of resources, both technical and monetary, as well as timely capacity-building. 2. Views expressed by Member and observer States of the Council on the review outcome 704. Morocco noted Kiribati’s request for technical and financial support not only to implement universal periodic review recommendations but also to support the Government’s efforts to promote human rights. Such support was essential to establishing a national human rights commission in conformity with the Paris Principles, particularly by providing adequate training with a view to ensuring that staff were qualified and specialized. Such a commission would require a budget that Kiribati did not necessarily have; it would also play a role in the promotion and protection of human rights, particularly by providing advice to the Government concerning the harmonization of national legislation with international instruments; devising national human rights plans of action and programmes in general, and for the promotion and protection of human rights of vulnerable groups in particular; and training and awareness-raising of the public and State officials on human rights. The Council should pay closer attention to technical assistance in the universal periodic review. GE.11-17043 187