A/HRC/18/14 education, awareness and sensitization would pave the way for societal acceptance and prevention of discrimination that might arise out of sexual orientation. 23. Plans were being formulated to reform the prisons through the law and justice sector programmes, such as the establishment of a prison system authority, independent of the Ministry of Police, with a view to providing improved service and realizing the basic rights of inmates. Samoa recognized the remaining challenges for the full realization of the rights of inmates or persons deprived of their liberty. 24. Samoa was committed to achieving poverty alleviation and food security, enhancing social conditions and achieving the Millennium Development Goals in order to ensure an adequate standard of living for every Samoan. Priority was being given to the rejuvenation of the agriculture sector, as well as to reforms aimed at improving health care and services. Furthermore, access to education and training had been a priority of Samoa for a long time. 25. Samoa indicated that it was vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and natural disasters. Several programmes and initiatives were in place to ensure resilience and preparedness. The Government of Samoa continued to coordinate and monitor efforts in that regard through the National Disaster Council chaired by the Prime Minister and the National Advisory Committee, which consisted of the heads of all Government agencies. A national strategy on climate resilience was being developed with assistance from the Asian Development Bank. That work was made more imperative given the country’s experience with the devastating tsunami of 29 September 2009. 26. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment was implementing various adaptation and mitigation projects to address the adverse impacts of climate change, and Samoa would continue to invest in renewable energy sources, such as hydropower, solar energy and biofuel from coconut oil and biomass, as alternatives to fossil fuel. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 27. During the interactive dialogue, 31 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 28. A number of delegations commended Samoa for the presentation of its national report, the participation of civil society in its preparation, and the country’s participation in and commitment to the UPR process despite the challenges it faced as a small island State. The translation of the national report into the local language was also praised. 29. New Zealand noted that Samoa intended to establish a national human rights institution in compliance with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (Paris Principles). It also noted the pervasive problem of domestic violence and the fact that Samoa was party to a number of core human rights instruments. While welcoming the setting up of the National Disability Taskforce, New Zealand noted the lack of a specific law on that issue. It also noted the existence of street vending by children during school hours. New Zealand made recommendations. 30. Algeria commended Samoa for its activities towards ensuring the right to education and health and women’s and children’s rights. Algeria was encouraged by the country’s determination to improve the quality of life of its people as reflected in the strategy for development for 2008–2012. It noted the challenges faced by Samoa, stemming from the modest size of its economy and its vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters, and their impact on the effective enjoyment of human rights. It called for international solidarity to help Samoa ensure the enjoyment of human rights. Algeria made recommendations. 31. Canada welcomed the plan aimed at establishing a national human rights institution and favourably noted the setting up of the Domestic Violence Unit within the Ministry of 6