A/HRC/48/13 commodity, both for income and consumption – would move eastward, resulting in the reduction of tuna stocks in the country’s waters. That in turn would lead to poverty, unless more was done to build the resilience of the population. The Government had strengthened its efforts to address climate change through the formulation and implementation of the national climate change policy. In addition, it would be submitting its national determined contributions in the coming weeks. 56. Solomon Islands had various legal frameworks to address the issue of slavery and trafficking. In addition, the relevant authorities had been inspecting and monitoring the logging and fishing industries to preclude any trafficking and exploitation of women and girls. Moreover, the country was now in the preparatory stage of accession to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and the authorities were conducting a nationwide consultation workshop on issues related to trafficking in persons. 57. With regard to the right to effective remedy, an access to justice survey had been conducted recently in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme. Based on the findings, the United Nations Development Programme, with the support of the Government of Australia and in conjunction with the Public Solicitor’s Office, had embarked upon the Access to Justice programme, with the aim of taking justice services to Solomon Islanders in rural areas. The Access to Justice programme was being piloted in four rural provinces, and there were plans to extend the programme beyond the provincial centres. 58. As for participation in public affairs and the right to vote, policies were in place for women to participate in decision-making, and training was provided to empower women in leadership. The Political Party Integrity Act (2014) specified that at least 10 per cent of seats within the parties were reserved for women candidates. At present, there were four women members of the national Parliament, two of whom were Cabinet Ministers. 59. Spain appreciated the establishment of the Anti-Human Trafficking Advisory Committee, and the training of security forces on that subject. 60. The Sudan appreciated the serious steps taken in establishing a national mechanism to combat corruption. 61. Thailand appreciated efforts to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment, particularly through the national gender equality and women’s development policy for 2016– 2020. It was encouraged by an increasing number of women contested as a member of political parties, expressing further hope that Solomon Islands would continue to support women’s participation in the government’s decision-making positions. 62. Timor-Leste commended Solomon Islands for adopting the Anti-Corruption Act (2018), encouraging the establishment of an independent commission for anti-corruption. It also noted with appreciation the inclusion of a national human rights institution in the draft Federal Constitution and looked forward to its establishment. 63. Ukraine positively noted the steps taken to promote and protect human rights, in particular the establishment of the Anti-Human Trafficking Advisory Committee. 64. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland welcomed the steps taken to promote and protect human rights, such as improved access to justice and increased awareness of the provisions of the Family Protection Act (2014). It urged the Government to improve implementation of that legislation by strengthening police and prosecutorial processes, in order to increase conviction rates. It also urged the Government to protect media freedom by ensuring that all legislation, including legislation governing emergency situations, enshrined the right to freedom of opinion and expression. 65. The United States of America commended Solomon Islands for its free and fair national elections in 2019, and for taking steps to meet its international human rights obligations and commitments. However, it remained concerned by the continued physical and sexual violence against women, and the lack of protection for the equal rights of women across the economic and political sectors of society. 66. Uruguay acknowledged the efforts made by Solomon Islands in the area of human rights and welcomed the ongoing discussions for the establishment of an independent national human rights institution and a national human rights action plan. 7