A/HRC/26/9 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 eighteenth session from 27 January to 7 February 2014. The review of Vanuatu was held at the 7th meeting on 30 January 2014. The delegation of Vanuatu was headed by Jenny Tevi, Department of Foreign Affairs. At its 14th meeting held on 4 February 2014, the Working Group adopted the report on Vanuatu. 2. On 15 January 2014, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Vanuatu: Algeria, Brazil and Maldives. 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 Vanuatu: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/18/VUT/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.6/18/VUT/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/18/VUT/3 and Corr.1). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Liechtenstein, Mexico, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Vanuatu 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. Jenny Tevi, Head of Delegation, Department of Foreign Affairs, introduced the report of Vanuatu. 6. Vanuatu thanked the staff of OHCHR and the Pacific Islands Forum who had been of great assistance in the drafting of its second UPR report (A/HRC/WG.6/18/VUT/1) in March and July 2013. 7. The Government of Vanuatu had submitted its first national UPR report to the Human Rights Council in May 2009. Vanuatu had received 48 recommendations during its first review. Since the adoption of the first UPR outcome report, Vanuatu had worked hard to implement the recommendations and commitments with all the relevant parties, including government agencies, official institutions and civil society organizations. It was important to note, however, that Vanuatu continued to face challenges in the implementation of the recommendations. 8. The delegation noted that, in February 2013, the Office of the Prime Minister had appointed an UPR committee comprised of 10 government officials and 1 civil society representative to complete, with the assistance of OHCHR, the second UPR national report. 9. Vanuatu then reported on a number of its recent achievements. 3