A/HRC/39/8 women, Australia welcomed the adoption of the Family Protection and Domestic Violence Act of 2014. 43. Brazil congratulated Tuvalu for the adoption of the national action plan on human rights for 2016 to 2020 and of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development for 2016 to 2020, recognizing the major challenges faced by Tuvalu in relation to climate change and natural disaster. Brazil encouraged Tuvalu to fully incorporate the principle of equality of women and men into its Constitution. 44. Canada welcomed the introduction by Tuvalu of a national action plan on human rights, the consolidation of existing human rights treaty obligations and efforts to ensure that human rights continued to be prioritized in government policymaking. Canada commended Tuvalu for implementing the Family Protection and Domestic Violence Act in 2014 to provide children and adults with greater protection from domestic violence. 45. Chile was concerned by the application of corporal punishment on children and urged Tuvalu to eliminate that pernicious practice. Chile was of the view that efforts to fight climate change should involve the society as a whole and have a focus on human rights. 46. The Congo welcomed the adoption of the national action plan on human rights for 2016 to 2020, the establishment of a national steering committee on disability and an advisory committee on child rights, and the extension of a standing invitation to the Human Rights Council special procedure mandate holders. The Congo encouraged Tuvalu to finalize its engagement for the ratification of international instruments. 47. Costa Rica congratulated Tuvalu for its adoption of the national action plan on human rights for 2016 to 2020 and the bill to establish a national human rights institution. It urged Tuvalu to continue with the integration of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women into national laws and policies. Costa Rica noted the impact that climate change had on the attainment of human rights and that the geographical reality of Tuvalu meant that the country’s vulnerability to the effects of climate change was greater than that of countries in other regions of the world. 48. Cuba stated that, as a small island developing State, Tuvalu faced numerous challenges, some of which, such as climate change, posed a direct danger to the very existence of the country. Despite those challenges, the authorities of Tuvalu had made important efforts to promote and protect human rights in the areas of education and health, taking specific measures to maintain the progress made in relation to the rights of young people and women. 49. Denmark highlighted that the Convention against Torture Initiative, which worked through government-to-government exchange and cooperation, stood ready to explore avenues to assist the Government of Tuvalu in making advances on the issue of ratification of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. 50. France recognized that Tuvalu had made concrete efforts, such as the adoption of the national human rights action plan, in the field of human rights, despite economic, financial and environmental challenges. 51. Georgia acknowledged efforts made by the Government of Tuvalu to harmonize its domestic legislation with its international obligations and implement recommendations received during the previous review cycle. It welcomed the adoption in 2016 of the human rights national action plan for 2016 to 2020. Georgia noted with satisfaction that the Government of Tuvalu had extended a standing invitation to all thematic special procedure mandate holders. 52. Germany recognized the growing participation of women in the health and education sectors, in politics and in civil society, and acknowledged steps taken, such as the adoption of legislation on domestic violence in 2014. However, it remained concerned about continued discrimination and violence, in particular based on gender. In addition, the failure to ratify core human rights instruments, such as the International Covenant on Civil and 6