A/HRC/18/2 created by this activity were an important source of human rights expertise for the entire region. 280. The Forum Leaders welcomed the presence of the Secretary-General. They expressed deep appreciation for the valuable contribution made by the United Nations to the Pacific region and highlighted the importance of its continuing support. In their discussions, the leaders also reaffirmed the shared values and principles of the Pacific Islands Forum and the United Nations, including important commitments to human rights, the rule of law, good governance and democracy. 281. On 20 September 2011, at the margins of the sixty-sixth session of the General Assembly, the President of Palau, Johnson Toribiong, signed the remaining core United Nations human rights treaties to which Palau was not a party, namely, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. This was a monumental accomplishment for Palau, as it was a State party only to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. 282. Palau acknowledged the assistance of the Pacific Islands Forum secretariat, the secretariat of the Pacific Community Regional Rights Resource Team and the Pacific Regional Office of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for their support in the universal periodic review process for Palau. 283. Palau recalled that, during the Working Group session, it received 106 recommendations and had already responded to 64 of them. Further consultation and consideration was required to respond to the other 42 recommendations made. A consultation had been held recently with relevant Government agencies and representatives of civil society to assess the various recommendations. 284. Palau had noted the recommendations made to accede to or ratify human rights treaties in general and specific treaties. It was consulting and working towards public awareness about these instruments and determining its capacity and resources to fulfil its obligations under those treaties. 285. With regard to the establishment of a national human rights institution, Palau had accepted this recommendation. It continued to work with the Pacific Islands Forum secretariat and the Asia Pacific Forum through consultations to develop awareness and determine the capacity and resources of Palau to fulfil its relevant obligations. A consultation on this matter had been conducted in August 2011 with the assistance of the Pacific Islands Forum secretariat, the Asia Pacific Forum and OHCHR. The consultation involved key Government officials, including members of the National Congress and relevant Government ministries and agencies. The outcome of the consultation would determine the move towards the establishment of a national human rights institution. 286. With regard to the status of children born to foreign parents, Palau had noted this recommendation. Palau clarified that its legislative body might address this issue. It accepted the recommendation on the minimum age of criminal responsibility. Palau took note of the recommendation on the treatment of female prisoners. Its prison system had standards protecting women prisoners in line with the Bangkok Rules. The recommendations relating to the sexual exploitation of children and child labour had been accepted by Palau, which would apply its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Palau accepted the recommendations to modify or amend its current legislation 120 GE.12-17756