A/HRC/39/8 19. Relocation of Tuvaluans to other lands was not an option. The Government was fully committed to protecting Tuvalu against the onslaught of climate change. The Prime Minister called on the international community to do what was right, in the manner provided under the Paris Agreement. The United Nations, including the Human Rights Council, was duty-bound and morally obligated to provide leadership to keep the “world canoe” buoyant. 20. The national creed, which could be translated as “Tuvalu for the Almighty”, was the foundation of the country’s social and cultural beliefs and the basis of the country’s nationhood. Tuvaluans held dear their God-given traditional values and cultural practices and their communal way of living, respecting each other and living alongside and helping each other to ensure human security and dignity for every Tuvaluan. Tuvalu needed, however, to improve its development to independently support the development and protection of human rights in the country. 21. Tuvalu had ratified a number of international conventions dealing with human rights, and the Government was committed to fulfilling the requirements and obligations under those conventions. 22. On the ground, a number of initiatives had made progress with the partnership of bilateral donors and regional bodies. The Government hoped that the Human Rights Council could also make a contribution to help Tuvaluans. 23. Tuvalu, with the help of partners, had made a number of improvements to its existing legislation, particularly in laws on child protection, persons with disabilities, women, and persons in vulnerable situations. There was also increased recognition of the rights of island communities and governance on each of the nine islands of Tuvalu. Special support, through policies and action, was provided in the areas of women’s development, gender balance, the treatment of women, and youth issues. 24. Tuvalu would continue to honour and implement the policies referred to in its national report, and thus fulfil its human rights obligations. It would also make improvements through the implementation of its human rights action plan and its policies on the protection of children in all education institutions, on gender, on disability, on young people and on sustainable and integrated water and sanitation. The Government was providing $70 per month per person for seniors and persons with disabilities. While that was a large sacrifice for a small island like Tuvalu, the country was committed to the initiative, which would continue. 25. The country was facing a number of critical challenges, including a lack of technical and specialist expertise, a lack of opportunities, a lack of financial support, difficulty securing durable and genuine partnerships, climate change issues and the isolation of Tuvalu from the centre of influence, which was a source of disadvantage and vulnerability. 26. The Prime Minister pointed out that he and his delegation had travelled halfway around the globe, which represented a heavy carbon footprint, to satisfy the reporting requirements of the Human Rights Council. 27. Reiterating the appeal made by the Prime Minister in 2009 during the presentation of the country’s first report under the universal periodic review, the delegation stated that the United Nations, including the Human Rights Council, must establish a physical presence in Tuvalu and the Pacific to ensure durable, responsive and genuine partnerships on human rights. The delegation expressed appreciation for the decision of the Government of Australia to establish a full-fledged high commission in Tuvalu. That could be a critical conduit for others. 28. At the end of June 2018 Tuvalu would host the Polynesian Leaders Group Summit in Funafuti, during which there would be extensive dialogue on climate change and biodiversity in small island developing States. 29. The Prime Minister invited the representatives at the Human Rights Council to visit Tuvalu and see for themselves the beauty and culture of the country and its exposure to the elements of climate change and sea-level rise. He also invited them to the Pacific Islands Forum leaders summit, which Tuvalu would be hosting again in 2019. 4