A/HRC/54/10 delegation. The delegation provided information about the launch of a national youth guard to equip young persons with the tools needed to assist the country during national emergencies and disasters. The delegation underlined the commitment of the Bahamas to updating the national policy on youth and its accompanying legislation during the National Youth Month in 2023. The policy would be strengthened through a strategic action plan and implementation strategy. 29. The Bahamas wished to ensure access to social benefits and assistance by older persons, whether or not they had disabilities. Within the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development, there was a department dedicated to the welfare of older persons. Contributory or non-contributory pensions were available to all persons at the age of 65, with voluntary retirement possible after the age of 60, at which time a reduced pension was provided. 30. As a small island developing State, the Bahamas experienced the effects of climate change and its negative impact on the promotion and protection of human rights, the effects of which were experienced by the most vulnerable in society. The Bahamas was a member of the core group of countries that had initiated the creation, by the Human Rights Council, of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change. The Bahamas had been a staunch advocate in the fight against climate change, with a focus on the mitigation of and adaptation to climate change. The climate crisis was an issue that concerned human rights and the Bahamas called for its continued recognition as such. 31. The Bahamas acknowledged its prior commitment to creating the National Development Plan, a foundational and comprehensive long-term plan for the country’s development and prosperity. In that regard, the Government had reappointed the National Development Plan Committee and appointed its Co-Chairs to prepare an implementation plan. Initial draft legislation would be passed to create the framework mechanism for implementation. The composition of the Committee included representatives of civil society, the business community, workers and religious leaders. With its commitment to complete and implement the National Development Plan by the end of 2023, the Bahamas also reaffirmed its commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 32. During the interactive dialogue, 84 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 33. Nepal noted the ratification of the Convention against Torture, as well as the Climate Change and Carbon Market Initiatives Act, 2022, as a framework for the research, verification and monetization of carbon credits. 34. The Kingdom of the Netherlands expressed concern about the impossibility for women to confer nationality on their children, resulting in statelessness and more vulnerability to trafficking. 35. New Zealand commended the continued efforts of the Bahamas to combat trafficking in persons through the launch of the strategic action plan on trafficking in persons. 36. The Niger congratulated the Bahamas for the commitment it had shown on climate change, reflected in the adoption of the Climate Change and Carbon Market Initiatives Act in 2022. 37. Nigeria noted the National Discriminatory Law Review Forum that contributed to new public policies and plans of action. It also welcomed the launch of the second-generation Decent Work Country Programme in 2021. 38. Pakistan recognized the challenges posed by Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic, the ratification of the Convention against Torture and the enactment of the Sexual Offenders Regulations in 2019 and the Climate Change and Carbon Market Initiatives Act in 2022. GE.23-11804 5