A/HRC/39/8 84. Singapore commended the Government for the concrete steps, taken since the previous review, to advance the human rights of its people despite significant geographic, financial and human resource constraints. It also commended the recent establishment of a national human rights institution. 85. Slovenia welcomed the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in 2013, and the efforts Tuvalu had made in the adoption of a national water strategy and a plan of action covering the entire population, in particular those with a lower income. 86. Spain acknowledged the efforts made by Tuvalu to promote and protect human rights, in particular through the adoption of the Tuvalu National Human Rights Action Plan 2016–2020, the first of its kind in the Pacific, and the recent adoption of a bill to establish a national human rights institution. 87. Togo noted that several challenges and constraints, related mainly to the limited resources available and the effects of climate change, had severely undermined the efforts of Tuvalu in implementing the recommendations made during the second cycle and in meeting all commitments for the realization of human rights in the country. 88. Turkey welcomed the adoption of the human rights national action plan for 2016 to 2020 and encouraged the Government to ratify the major international human rights treaties to which it was not yet a party, which would strengthen the domestic legislation with regard to the promotion and protection of human rights, including freedom of religion and belief. 89. Ukraine recognized the commitment by Tuvalu to human rights protection and promotion and noted the efforts taken by its authorities to improve the institutional and legislative framework for human rights. Ukraine commended the achievements of the Government since the previous review cycle, namely, accession to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, adoption of a national action plan on human rights, the first among the Pacific countries, and the law on establishing a national human rights institution. It also commended the extension of a standing invitation to the special procedures of the Human Rights Council. 90. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland stated that it was aware of the challenges facing Tuvalu, particularly those relating to climate change and providing services on a small scale, and that it was impressed by the Government’s level of consultation with civil society in preparation for the review process. It welcomed the steps taken by Tuvalu towards establishing a national human rights institution and encouraged the Government to make use of the Pacific Community’s Regional Rights Resource Team, for which the United Kingdom had provided funding. 91. Argentina welcomed the delegation of Tuvalu and thanked it for presenting its report. 92. The Philippines commended Tuvalu for the Tuvalu National Human Rights Action Plan 2016–2020, its strengthening of the Office of the People’s Lawyer and its institutionalization of the standard operating procedures for the police. It noted efforts to ratify several international instruments. 93. In its closing remarks, the delegation pointed out that the link between climate change and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development meant that without successful achievement of the 2030 Agenda, Tuvalu could not protect and ensure the enjoyment of human rights. Climate change cut across all development factors and actors. Until the vulnerabilities were addressed and the areas of impact established, protecting and enjoying human rights in small island developing States like Tuvalu would be extremely difficult. 94. Tuvalu had consistently called for effective, enhanced and accelerated action on climate change. It had introduced the issue of insurance facilities in the region and at the United Nations to provide small island developing States with better access to insurance products and systems as tools for coping with climate change impacts. It had also advocated for a General Assembly resolution on protection of the human rights of people displaced by climate change and other human-induced national disasters. Current international legal instruments did not provide the protection that climate change refugees deserved. 10