A/HRC/48/12 25. The Ministry of Education ensured that all schools in Palau could provide students with health, safety and overall welfare services. In addition, the Ministry educated students and the community on the services available on HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Awareness about gender-based violence was raised throughout the community, including through school outreach programmes. 26. Regarding natural disasters, Palau had revised and endorsed a national disaster risk management framework and plans had been put in place with the assistance of multiple stakeholders. 27. Palau had undergone its first voluntary national review on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and presented “Pathway to 2030: progressing with our past towards a resilient, sustainable and equitable future” at the high-level political forum on sustainable development, held in 2019. 28. Regarding climate change, the Government had put in place the Palau Climate Change Policy for Climate and Disaster Resilient Low Emissions Development. That policy aimed at enhancing adaptation capabilities and resilience to the expected impacts of global climate change, improving the ability of Palau to manage unexpected disasters and minimize associated risks while also mitigating global climate change. Numerous other measures in relation to climate change had been taken by the Government. 29. Measures had been taken by the authorities to protect their citizens and all persons living in Palau from the COVID-19 pandemic. At the outset of the pandemic, the Government had immediately closed the country’s borders to keep Palau safe and free from the virus. Palau was one of only seven countries in the world that was still free of the virus responsible for COVID-19 and it had fully vaccinated over 65 per cent of its population. However, the residents of Palau continued to feel the impact of the pandemic through the loss of jobs and other disruptions to employment. It was estimated that 2,600 jobs in Palau would be directly affected by the pandemic. Several measures had been taken to assist the population of Palau. 30. Full recognition of human rights was accorded to all citizens of Palau and to all noncitizens living in Palau. The Government expressed its gratitude and appreciation for all the support provided by development partners, regional and international organizations and United Nations agencies with regards to the protection, promotion and implementation of the human rights commitments and obligations of Palau. 31. Palau had taken note of all the recommendations made by States and asked the Human Rights Council to give the national authorities some time to consult with relevant stakeholders and provide a response to all recommendations. 32. Regarding the remark made by China on child labour and the reduction of poverty, the Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs, in partnership with UNICEF, was currently conducting a comprehensive assessment to advance plans for an improved system of child protection. The study would build on and complement past work, including the child protection baseline assessment, the review of implementation of the Family Protection Act, the outputs of the child protection system orientation and planning workshop and the recommendations arising from the child protection online baseline research and assessment. Regarding poverty reduction, Palau had recognized its children’s right to be protected against abuse, neglect, exploitation, drugs and pornography. Children with special needs had the right to receive special care. The second sentence of article IV (11) of the Constitution read: “The government shall protect children from exploitation.” 33. Those States that had made advance questions would hopefully find responses in the national report of Palau. The authorities will also respond shortly to the comments raised by various States during the interactive dialogue. The States, especially Denmark, were thanked for their support. 34. In conclusion, Palau reiterated its call for help from the international community, donors and partners to assist in its efforts towards the ratification of human rights treaties and the establishment of a national human rights institution. 5