A/HRC/44/15 B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 23. During the interactive dialogue, 51 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 24. Mexico acknowledged the progress made by Kiribati, including the adoption of the National Disability Policy, the ratification of the Convention against Torture and the adoption of the Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Act. 25. Montenegro encouraged Kiribati to use international support to enhance the implementation of human rights obligations; adopt a more comprehensive national legislation; and improve its institutional framework and capacity. It recognized the need for more active engagement in ratifying core human rights instruments. It expressed concern about high levels of gender-based, domestic and sexual violence, early pregnancies and gender inequality, and very low level of the participation of women in public and political life. 26. Nepal commended Kiribati for its leadership to address climate change and disaster risk management for the Pacific Islands Region, considering it important to support the country’s endeavours to build climate change resilience and adaptive capacities. It praised policies on access to quality, inclusive education, and on gender mainstreaming in policies. It encouraged Kiribati to continue addressing the structural barriers faced by women, children, and marginalized and vulnerable groups. 27. New Zealand commended Kiribati for its commitments to good governance, the establishment of a national human rights institution and the fight against corruption. It encouraged Kiribati to continue empowering the media as a vehicle for transparency and public access to information. 28. The Philippines acknowledged consultations undertaken on the Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Act, which streamlines the needs of women, children and persons with disabilities. It further praised the country’s efforts in mainstreaming gender equality in national policies. 29. Portugal welcomed efforts to implement accepted universal periodic review recommendations and the recent submission of three overdue reports to the treaty bodies. 30. Senegal congratulated Kiribati on the ratification of the Convention against Torture and the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. It praised the country’s efforts to ensure food security, cultivable soil and access to safe drinking water, as well as its measures against climate change. 31. Serbia commended Kiribati for its serious approach to universal periodic review commitments, and welcomed measures to provide drinking water and sanitation and to eliminate human trafficking. 32. Seychelles commended Kiribati for its efforts on human rights and on addressing the acute consequences of climate change. It also commended the country’s adoption of the Family Peace Act 2014, its criminalization of domestic violence and the development of a related implementation plan. 33. Slovenia appreciated the establishment of Kiribati National Human Rights Task Force but noted the absence of a long-term plan to ratify all core international human rights instruments. It considered insufficient the Sexual Reproductive Health Rights programme, since teenage pregnancy remained very high. It called on Kiribati to include in the Constitution the freedom from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, as previously recommended. 34. Timor-Leste noted the efforts of Kiribati to increase resilience to extreme weather events and natural disasters. It applauded Kiribati for leading the Coalition of Low-lying Atoll Nations on Climate Change and the Alliance of Small Island States, while hoping that the international community would increase its assistance to small island States. 6