A/HRC/24/8 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007, held its sixteenth session from 22 April to 3 May 2013. The review of Tuvalu was held at the 6th meeting on 24 April 2013. The delegation of Tuvalu was headed by Eselealofa Apinelu, Attorney General. At its 10th meeting held on 26 April 2013, the Working Group adopted the report on Tuvalu. 2. On 14 January 2013, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Tuvalu: Estonia, Mauritania and the Republic of Korea. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to 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.6/16/TUV/1 and Corr.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.6/16/TUV/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/16/TUV/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Liechtenstein, Mexico, Montenegro, the Netherlands, 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 extranet of the universal periodic review (UPR). I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. At the 6th meeting, on 24 April 2013, Ms. Apinelu, Attorney General, presented the national report and made an opening statement. She affirmed the commitment of Tuvalu to UPR and expressed appreciation to those who had provided support in the preparation of the State report. 6. The Head of the Delegation started her intervention by referring to the specific vulnerabilities that Tuvalu, as a small island State, had to face, namely the threat of the adverse impacts of climate change and sea-level rise, as well as the lack of capacity. The impact of globalization was overwhelming and the global financial crisis, together with the physical and social character of the country, had seriously undermined the country’s ability to provide essential services to its people. The continuing loss of vital land, destruction of food crops and contamination of the ground-water supply by seawater intrusion were everyday challenges that affected the competing interests and priority needs of the Government and that seriously undermined the capacity of Tuvalu to protect fundamental human rights and to particularly fully implement economic, social and cultural rights. 7. The cultural traditions of Tuvalu and its community interests preserved harmony and peace in the country and influenced the behaviour of society and the management of the island community. To that extent, governance was assured through the falekaupule, the traditional house of the island chiefs and elders. 3