A/HRC/41/50 51. The level of national development determines the level of enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights in a country. When a State improves its level of development, it has a strengthened capacity to further improve the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights. 52. The development of a State also relates to the enjoyment of civil and political rights within its jurisdiction. Development is conducive to raising the level of education of the population and its cultural and moral values. A country’s general development, especially in the fields of education, culture and legal methodology (knowledge) can promote and provide a moral foundation for democracy, the rule of law and good governance within the country, improving people’s understanding of their human rights and their willingness to exercise them consciously. Development should facilitate the positive mental and moral evolution of every human being in the interests of the current and future generations, and it should counter threats to the progress of mankind. In that respect, development can serve as a basis for the enjoyment of political rights. Development also provides a material basis for the realization of civil and political rights. 2. Development contributes proactively to the enjoyment of all human rights 53. Development and human rights are two major clusters leading to a harmonious just society. Both clusters depend on and promote each other. Development is not simply the economic development of a State, or any specific development project, but the comprehensive development of the population, including individuals and society. Development is the process of promoting and advancing human rights and is the fundamental way to realize human rights; economic development is a required foundation for the full realization of human rights. The promotion of human rights is the purpose of development, and it is a gradual and natural process that occurs in the course of development. It would be unfair to view issues of development and issues of human rights as contradictory. It is wrong to assert that there is no development without human rights, or that there are no human rights without development. 54. As a country develops, more conditions emerge for the enjoyment of human rights. If the principles of good governance and human rights protection were a tall building, it would be difficult to build a superstructure without economic and social development as a firm base. By ensuring a solid and stable foundation for development, the various efforts to protect human rights in a country will be more effective. 55. Poverty eradication is among the most important requirements for development and a substantial condition for the enjoyment of human rights. The experiences of many poor and least developed countries show that poverty is a great obstacle to the enjoyment of all human rights. Poverty breeds conflicts and violence that endanger human rights, and development is necessary in order to eliminate poverty. When a person living in extreme poverty lacks basic living conditions, food to eat, basic education and medical care, he or she is unable to exercise and enjoy his or her basic human rights. 56. Poverty in a country or region does not provide the State or regional authority with justification or an excuse to violate human rights. However, the enjoyment of basic human rights is severely constrained by the lack of basic conditions for survival, such as food, clothing and development. Poverty has provided space for human rights violations. 57. The international community should cooperate to promote the common development of all countries through full, open and equal cooperation, including economic and social assistance to developing countries, achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and improvement of conditions for the enjoyment of all human rights. In order to promote the common development of all countries and guarantee the enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, Governments of all States should cooperate with each other and conduct exchanges on an equal footing to promote mutual economic and social development among all countries and generally improve the conditions for the enjoyment of all human rights by all. 16