A/HRC/39/8 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its thirtieth session from 7 to 18 May 2018. The review of Tuvalu was held at the 6th meeting, on 9 May 2018. The delegation of Tuvalu was headed by the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Enele Sosene Sopoaga. At its 10th meeting, held on 11 May 2018, the Working Group adopted the report on Tuvalu. 2. On 10 January 2018, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Tuvalu: Mexico, Mongolia and Senegal. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Tuvalu: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/30/TUV/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/30/TUV/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/30/TUV/3); 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Brazil, Germany, Liechtenstein, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Tuvalu through the troika. These questions are available on the website of the universal periodic review. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. The Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Enele Sosene Sopoaga, presented the national report. He emphasized that the preparation of the report had followed a broad-based consultative approach that was inclusive and constructive. The report highlighted achievements, challenges and constraints and set out the way forward for the country’s strategy for the promotion and protection of human rights. 6. The fundamental human rights of Tuvaluans as a people, and the rights of Tuvalu as a sovereign State, were grossly challenged by unique vulnerabilities to external forces that were beyond the country’s capability to cope. 7. Since the previous report under the universal periodic review, the adverse impacts of the 2008 global economic crisis had even reached nations as remote as Tuvalu. That had resulted in a severe reduction in employment of the country’s trained seafarers on merchant ships worldwide, losses in foreign investment in the Tuvalu Trust Fund and losses in revenue from remittances. Severe tropical cyclones had hit the islands, and there had been increased erosion, salinity in fresh water, long droughts and other environmental degradation, which the Government strongly believed to be effects of climate change and sea-level rise. 8. Tuvalu, a least developed country and small island developing State, had been largely left on its own with respect to ensuring the provision of services vital to the promotion and protection of the human rights of its people. 9. Unless the Human Rights Council and States Members of the United Nations fully recognized the unique vulnerabilities of Tuvalu and other small island developing States, took urgent concrete action to respond to the problem of climate change and provided special partnership opportunities for small island developing States, the fundamental rights 2