A/HRC/48/13 79. China appreciated the national development strategy for 2016–2035, aimed at achieving sustained and inclusive economic growth, effectively addressing climate change, developing education and health, actively combating the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, combating domestic violence, and safeguarding the rights of vulnerable groups, such as women, children and persons with disabilities. 80. Côte d’Ivoire congratulated Solomon Islands for the progress made in the field of human rights, encouraging it to continue its efforts to better promote and protect human rights. 81. Cuba recognized efforts to confront and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, including in the area of disaster risk reduction. It also highlighted the focus of Solomon Islands on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in a low-carbon economy. 82. Denmark noted the steps taken towards combating corporal punishment in schools, while remaining concerned about its continued practice. It stated that the Convention against Torture Initiative stood ready to explore avenues to assist Solomon Islands in advancing on the issue, if deemed helpful. 83. Dominican Republic appreciated the presentation of the national report. It recognized the efforts made by Solomon Islands to combat climate change. 84. Estonia commended Solomon Islands for introducing the national youth policy for 2017–2030, the national gender equality and women’s development policy for 2016–2020 and the Child and Family Welfare Act (2017) in line with previous universal periodic review recommendations. It stated that some child rights-related laws needed to be harmonized with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and encouraged Solomon Islands to take further steps towards implementation of relevant measures to protect women and children from abuse and trafficking in persons. 85. Fiji welcomed the achievements made in the implementation of the recommendations from its previous universal periodic review cycle. It commended Solomon Islands for measures to combat trafficking in persons, including the establishment of criminal liability for internal trafficking in persons. 86. Finland highly appreciated the engagement of Solomon Islands in the universal periodic review process. 87. France appreciated the presentation of the national report. 88. In the area of children’s rights and well-being, the Government continued to build the capacity of social welfare officers and other service providers to ensure a timely, effective and coordinated response to address the needs of both children who had experienced violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and their families. 89. With regard to birth registration, there had been an improvement, as 88 per cent of children under five years old were now registered. However, urban areas were more likely to have access to birth certificates. 90. Solomon Islands stated that the National Advisory and Action Committee on Children remained the central mechanism for children that oversaw the implementation and monitoring of the Convention on the Right of the Child. The Committee also ensured that development and implementation of the national children policy and the plan of action was led by the Government in partnership with non-governmental organizations, faith-based organizations, civil society organizations and United Nations agencies, which conducted awareness-raising activities and programmes on children’s rights at the national, provincial and community levels. 91. As for the challenges of implementation, the COVID-19 pandemic had wrought great havoc on the people, both socially and economically. It had resulted in a serious economic downturn. Economic growth for 2020 had been affected, and the outlook for 2021, and quite possibly for the next few years, was predicted to remain along the same negative trajectory. The resulting reduction in governmental revenue meant a reduction in the resources the Government had at its disposal to fulfil its human rights obligations. The Government had embarked on a redirection policy aimed at cushioning negative economic impacts and 9