Ambassador Rodolfo Benítez Verson, speaks on the occasion of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Kiribati. 49th session of the Human Rights Council’s UPR Working Group.

Mr. President,

We extend a warm welcome to the delegation of the Republic of Kiribati and acknowledge the country's commitment to the Universal Periodic Review.

We commend Kiribati for implementing national policies and programmes to ensure equality and non-discrimination in the labour sector.

Similarly, we highlight the efforts undertaken to address the multiple challenges associated with climate change.

In a constructive and respectful spirit, we make four recommendations:

1. Enhancing efforts to broaden and diversify national programmes aimed at providing social protection to persons in vulnerable situations.
2. Promoting access to sexual and reproductive health care services, including contraception, prenatal care, safe childbirth, and postnatal care, thereby contributing to lower infant mortality rates.
3. Continuing to develop and implement national programmes to promote women's participation in all aspects of the country's political and social life.
4. Advancing the refinement and updating of national legislation and government policies to promote and protect the human rights of its people.

We wish Kiribati every success in this review and in implementing the accepted recommendations.

Thank you.