UNITED NATIONS E Economic and Social Council Distr. GENERAL E/C.12/FRA/CO/3 9 June 2008 Original: ENGLISH COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS Fortieth session 28 April-16 May 2008 CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLES 16 AND 17 OF THE COVENANT FRANCE Concluding observations of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 1. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights considered the third periodic report of France on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/C.12/FRA/3) at its 3rd, 4th and 5th meetings, held on 29 and 30 April 2008 (E/C.12/2008/SR.3-5), and adopted, at its 26th meeting, held on 16 May 2008, the following concluding observations. A. Introduction 2. The Committee welcomes the submission of the third periodic report of France, and the written replies to its list of issues (E/C.12/FRA/Q/3/Add.1). The Committee also notes with appreciation the open and constructive dialogue with the delegation of the State party, which included representatives of various government departments with expertise on the subjects covered by the Covenant, and the delegation’s answers to the questions posed by the Committee. B. Positive aspects 3. The Committee acknowledges the efforts undertaken by the State party since the adoption of the Framework Act on Measures to Combat Social Exclusion of July 1998 to combat social exclusion and guarantee equality of opportunities to persons belonging to vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in the field of employment, housing, health and access to cultural life. 4. The Committee welcomes the establishment under the Act No. 2004/1486 of GE.08-42479