A/HRC/48/12 62. France invited the authorities of Palau to implement the recommendations arising from the universal periodic review and wished them success in the review process. 63. Georgia commended Palau for ratifying the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, including its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children; for establishing a task force to combat human trafficking and creating the Anti-Human Trafficking Office. Georgia also welcomed the establishment of the Severely Disabled Assistance Fund and social protection programmes. 64. Germany commended Palau for acceding to the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, and for adopting a national action plan against trafficking in persons. It remained concerned, however, about sexual and gender-based violence, including domestic violence. Germany also acknowledged the multiple challenges posed by climate change. 65. Iceland welcomed the repeal of legal provisions criminalizing consensual sexual activity between men in its new Penal Code and encouraged Palau to take into further consideration the rights of LGBTI+ individuals. 66. India commended Palau for the measures taken to mitigate the impact of climate change and to improve adaptation capabilities. It acknowledged the challenges and constraints faced by Palau and remained committed to cooperating in its development. 67. Indonesia took note with appreciation of the enactment of legislation to improve the well-being of students and school nutrition standards, on social services and care for the ageing population and on funding for the severely disabled. It encouraged full implementation of that legislation and the creation of relevant programmes. 68. Iraq welcomed the legislative and executive reforms undertaken since the previous universal periodic review, including the steps taken to combat human trafficking through the adoption of a national action plan. 69. Ireland commended Palau for the adoption of a national action plan to combat human trafficking and the accession in 2019 to the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children. It encouraged Palau to accede to the remaining international human rights treaties and their optional protocols. 70. Israel acknowledged the challenges faced by Palau in terms of climate change, funding and capacity-building. It commended Palau for adopting a national disability policy (2017–2020), the National Gender Mainstreaming Policy and the 2020–2022 Palau country plan, which includes the goal of ensuring women’s full participation in political, economic and social life. 71. Italy welcomed the standing invitation extended by Palau to the special procedure mandate holders and expressed appreciation for the measures taken on gender equality, particularly the National Gender Mainstreaming Policy, and for the 2020–2022 country plan. Italy noted the progress made in combating human trafficking, including through accession to relevant international treaties. 72. Japan highly appreciated the positive steps taken by Palau to promote and protect the rights of children through the ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182). 73. Luxemburg congratulated Palau for the adoption of a national action plan to combat human trafficking and for the implementation of the National Gender Mainstreaming Policy 2018–2023, which, notably, aimed at improving the representation of women in decisionmaking roles. 74. Malaysia welcomed the pledges made by Palau to promote gender equality and support children, older persons and persons with disabilities. It encouraged Palau to continue to make efforts to address climate change and human trafficking and to benefit from technical cooperation and capacity-building, including from within the Human Rights Council and in the framework of the universal periodic review. 8