UNITED NATIONS E Economic and Social Council Distr. GENERAL E/C.12/CRI/CO/4 4 January 2008 Original: ENGLISH CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLES 16 AND 17 OF THE COVENANT COSTA RICA Draft concluding observations of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 1. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights considered the combined second, third and fourth periodic report of Costa Rica on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/C.12/CRI/4) at its 33rd, 34th and 35th meetings, held on 6 and 7 November 2007 (E/C.12/2007/SR.33, 34 and 35), and adopted, at its 51st meeting, held on 19 November 2007, the following concluding observations. A. Introduction 2. The Committee welcomes the submission of the combined second, third and fourth periodic report of the State party, which was generally prepared in conformity with the Committee’s guidelines. It regrets, however, the 13-year delay in its submission. 3. The Committee welcomes the frank and constructive dialogue with the State party’s delegation and thanks the delegation for the detailed written replies and the additional information provided orally in response to the Committee’s numerous questions. B. Positive aspects 4. The Committee notes with satisfaction the State party’s ratification of relevant international treaties and the adoption of a National Policy for Gender Equality and Equity (PIEG), among other legal and institutional measures, to promote gender equality and combat discrimination against women, in particular in the workplace. GE.08-40025 (E) 110108