A/HRC/48/13 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its thirty-eighth session from 3 to 14 May 2021. The review of Solomon Islands was held at the 11th meeting, on 10 May 2021. The delegation of Solomon Islands was headed by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Collin Beck. At its 17th meeting, held on 14 May 2021, the Working Group adopted the report on Solomon Islands. 2. On 12 January 2021, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Solomon Islands: Bahrain, Brazil and Burkina Faso. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Solomon Islands: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a);1 (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b);2 (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c).3 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Canada, Germany, Liechtenstein, Panama, Portugal, on behalf of the Group of Friends on national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up, Spain, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America was transmitted to Solomon Islands through the troika. These questions are available on the website of the universal periodic review. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. Solomon Islands reaffirmed its commitment to the spirit and purpose of the universal periodic review process. Solomon Islands participated in the universal periodic review cycles in 2011 and 2016. As a democratic State, it supported the Human Rights Council’s efforts to promote respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms. 6. Solomon Islands stated that it remained committed to participating in all relevant multilateral conventions. Solomon Islands was committed to building internal structures and capacity and to equipping national authorities to promote and translate Conventions and Protocol obligations domestically. 7. Solomon Islands is a small island developing State and a least developed country that is due to graduate from its least developed country status in January 2024. The unique and special situation of Solomon Islands has its particular vulnerabilities. These include remoteness of the country from external markets; high energy, transportation and communication costs; vulnerability to environment degradation; the growing impact of climate change; and susceptibility to economic shocks. 8. The unity and solidarity of the country remained a national priority as the country was going through its nation-building process. Investment in national infrastructure projects that bound together and connected its scattered, culturally diverse population was a priority. 9. Solomon Islands remained a Christian country and defined marriage in the traditional sense, between a male and female. Accordingly, the delegation urged countries that had 1 2 3 2 A/HRC/WG.6/38/SLB/1. A/HRC/WG.6/38/SLB/2. A/HRC/WG.6/38/SLB/3.