A/HRC/57/10 establishment of such an institution and was currently working on a human rights policy that would include a mandate compliant with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles). 57. Vanuatu would support recommendations on amending the Penal Code to include marital rape. 58. On gender issues, in particular women’s representation in decision-making positions, the National Gender Equality Policy 2020–2030 encompassed initiatives to strengthen women’s political participation and economic empowerment. An increasing number of highlevel positions were being occupied by women in Vanuatu, including in Parliament. 59. With respect to international climate justice, the delegation acknowledged the support received for the International Court of Justice Climate Diplomacy Program to address the issue of small island developing States facing the effects of climate change. It thanked all those countries that had provided written submissions, notably Pacific island partners, which had contributed 20 per cent of the submissions. Acting through the Ministry of Climate Change, the Government had made ongoing efforts to strengthen climate change legislation and policies, focusing on groups in vulnerable situations, in particular women, girls and persons with disabilities, and to mitigate the impacts of natural disasters on rural and remote communities. Vanuatu looked to its partners to work collaboratively towards achieving those priorities. 60. Regarding the legal age for marriage, Vanuatu was reviewing the Control of Marriage Act and would report on the subject at its fifth universal periodic review. 61. Concerning recommendations on the ratification of conventions and optional protocols, the Government would continue considering ratification, including of the Optional Protocols to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, as well as the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, in the upcoming years, due to its limited resources and capacity. 62. The delegation highlighted efforts made in the employment sector, in particular for persons with disabilities, including through the technical and vocational education training centres, a partnership project that delivered specialized training and life skills to women and persons with disabilities through secondary education and training and had proved successful in many provinces. 63. Cyprus lauded Vanuatu for its key role in intergovernmental efforts to combat climate change that had resulted in bringing the issue to the International Court of Justice. Cyprus expressed the hope that political reform laws would lead to greater political stability in the country. 64. The Dominican Republic expressed appreciation for new laws that provided greater protection of human rights in the areas of education, health and justice. It congratulated Vanuatu for leading intergovernmental initiatives in the fight against climate change. 65. Estonia commended Vanuatu for taking action regarding climate change and natural disasters, implementing the National Gender Equality Policy 2020–2030 and making legislative and policy advances in terms of access to modern family planning methods. It encouraged continued efforts on the human rights of women. 66. Eswatini congratulated Vanuatu for enacting new legislation that provided additional protection for human rights pertaining to education, health and justice, and for implementing the National Gender Equality Policy, towards the protection and promotion of women and girls in Vanuatu. 67. Fiji asserted that, despite being one of the most vulnerable nations in the world, the progress made by Vanuatu in addressing environmental challenges, including through the Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Policy and post-disaster gender analyses, was commendable. 68. GE.24-09741 France thanked the delegation for the presentation of its national report. 7