A/HRC/49/15 75. The Bahamas recognized the challenges faced by Antigua and Barbuda, including the strain that the COVID-19 pandemic had put on progress towards national goals, limited human resources and the disproportionate threats posed by climate change. It encouraged Antigua and Barbuda to avail itself of technical assistance and capacity-building support, in accordance with its human rights priorities, and called on the international community to cooperate with the State in that regard. 76. Barbados expressed appreciation for the measures taken by Antigua and Barbuda since the second review cycle with a view to improving the human rights framework. 77. Brazil commended Antigua and Barbuda for its efforts to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and encouraged further initiatives to improve the well-being of children and young people. It expressed appreciation for the de facto abolition of the death penalty and encouraged its formal abolition. It expressed concern that consensual same-sex relations among adults were still criminalized and encouraged further efforts to prevent discrimination and violence against LGBTIQ+ persons. 78. Bulgaria welcomed the prompt action by Antigua and Barbuda to mitigate the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Irma on the population. It expressed appreciation for the enhancement of the child protection and child justice legislative framework, and for the adherence in education policies to the concept of inclusive education. It acknowledged the adoption of the Disabilities and Equal Opportunities Act in 2017, which had introduced comprehensive protection of the rights of persons with disabilities. 79. Canada welcomed the progress made by Antigua and Barbuda since the second review cycle, commending the State in particular for its efforts to develop the necessary laws, policies and programmes to progressively meet its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, including by ensuring access to all public facilities. 80. Chile welcomed the creation of the Trafficking in Persons Prevention Committee, recognizing the efforts of Antigua and Barbuda to ensure compliance with laws relating to the investigation and defence of the interests of victims. It congratulated the State on its accession to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 81. China expressed appreciation for the efforts and achievements of Antigua and Barbuda in the promotion and protection of human rights. It noted that the State had positively promoted economic and social development, fought against the COVID-19 pandemic, safeguarded the population’s rights to life and health, addressed issues relating to climate change and natural disasters, protected the rights of vulnerable groups such as women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities and combated trafficking in persons. 82. Cuba acknowledged the efforts made and action taken by Antigua and Barbuda in the implementation of the accepted recommendations from the second review cycle, despite the challenges that it faced as a small island developing State and the devastating impact of hurricanes on its territory. It commended the State for the adoption of the National Child Protection Policy and the action taken to support education in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. 83. In its concluding remarks, Antigua and Barbuda emphasized its steadfast work to protect the marine environment and to prevent the erosion of the coastline, as echoed by the delegation of Fiji and as a key driver for tourism and employment. Climate change adaptation mechanisms were in place to protect the State’s environment and coastal regions. 84. Antigua and Barbuda had also been engaged in the development of a bill against sexual harassment within the institutional framework of the Caribbean Community, which involved the identification of areas of sexual harassment and its elimination in the workplace. The protection of women and vulnerable persons in that field was of high importance to Antigua and Barbuda. 85. Antigua and Barbuda stressed its steadfastness in promoting the fight against corruption. As a State party to both the Inter-American Convention against Corruption and the United Nations Convention against Corruption, it continuously worked within both 9