A/HRC/18/2 355. The first universal periodic review of Seychelles had been a very fruitful and enriching experience for various reasons, including the wide national consultation undertaken during the preparation of the national report, and the detailed scrutiny of that report by the participants in the Working Group, which made 77 recommendations. The recommendations, together with an information note on the steps in the process, had been presented to the Cabinet of Ministers, including the Vice-President and the President of Seychelles. Seychelles had made full use of this important process, and learned more about good practices in the implementation and enforcement of human rights. 356. The objective of increasing awareness of human rights at all levels had been achieved and the Government had been once more convinced of the need to keep in place the mechanisms that would allow continuity in awareness-raising. Neither the adoption of the outcome of Seychelles in the Council plenary nor the publication of the report on its Universal Periodic Review would be the end of the process. Seychelles would be attentive to the views and recommendations of its national and international partners. 357. The delegation thanked the Human Rights Council, the representatives of participating Member States, observer States and United Nations agencies for accompanying Seychelles in the construction of the small but great nation that it was. Seychelles looked forward to working together in order to make its second universal periodic review another rewarding and fruitful experience. 2. Views expressed by Member and observer States of the Human Rights Council on the review outcome 358. Algeria took note of the responses provided by Seychelles to the recommendations made during the session of the Working Group, including the three recommendations made by Algeria on the accreditation and strengthening of the national human rights institution, the submission of reports to treaty bodies and the strengthening of efforts to fight social ills, such as the use of drugs. Algeria reiterated its satisfaction with the progress accomplished in the realization of the Millennium Development Goals, which had had a positive effect on the enjoyment of human rights. This was of particular importance for an island developing nation, also in the light of its vulnerability to climate change. Algeria also expressed its solidarity with Seychelles in its fight against piracy. 359. Cuba noted that Seychelles was a small country that had suffered from colonialism and had been faced with a number of limitations and challenges, including those in connection with globalization, climate change and piracy. Nevertheless, by pursuing a development approach focused on the human being, it had made considerable progress in the area of human rights; for example, Seychelles had achieved most of the Millennium Development Goals and reached a 100 per cent enrolment rate in primary education, as well as very high rates of literacy and immunization of children. Its social indicators were among the highest in the region. Cuba noted that it had made a modest contribution to these efforts through long-standing cooperation, and it encouraged the Seychelles to pursue further its socioeconomic development plans. 360. Morocco stated that the realization of the Millennium Development Goals and the level of human development in Seychelles should encourage specialized international institutions to provide Seychelles with technical assistance that it deemed necessary to accompany its national efforts to meet the challenges leading to the vulnerability of its economy. International cooperation was particularly desirable in the fight against piracy and with regard to the scourge of climate change, both of which had a negative impact on human rights. Morocco highlighted certain initiatives, such as the creation of the media commission, the strategic plan of the judiciary and the code of judicial conduct. Morocco welcomed the fact that Seychelles had accepted a large number of recommendations, including those made by Morocco with respect to gender mainstreaming in public policies, 130 GE.12-17756