A/HRC/15/32
maldistribution of wealth, often due to oppressive regimes and rampant corruption.
Solidarity at the national level would encourage States to create conditions for different
sectors of the population, especially the poorest, through social policies that promote
equality and allow the accumulation of social capital, among other actions.
22.
Some respondents expressed the view that many developing countries are
impoverished because of fiscal and other policies driven by unequal global political,
economic, trade and security relations led by wealthier nations and international financial
institutions. The intrinsic global interconnectivity and interrelationships characterized by
globalization and trade liberalization have a significant impact on the state of the global
economy and the stability and security of many States. International solidarity should be
based on mutual respect and consultation of all nations, big and small. In this context,
Guyana tabled a proposal for a new global human order, which was adopted by the General
Assembly in 1998. This was aimed at mobilizing concerted global action over the long term
to address development challenges, improve the well-being of people and reverse the
growing disparities between rich and poor. Solidarity takes on added significance in the
context of globalization, which excludes large sections of the global population, particularly
developing countries, from the related benefits, generating a framework of asymmetric
relations. The world has the means to eradicate poverty, but it is essential that international
solidarity permeate the political will to do so. Creating an enabling environment, including
by increasing access for developing countries to international economic opportunities and
the non-imposition of conditionalities, are essential to the eradication of poverty.
23.
Solidarity ante factum is preferable to solidarity post factum, as it aims at tackling
the root causes of poverty on the basis of the wisdom that prevention is better than cure.
Such solidarity implies that States respect fully their international obligations pledged at the
United Nations, implement obligations under international law and are committed to
disarmament, clean energy policies, health system strengthening and the Millennium
Development Goals, among others. Solidarity ante factum is interlinked with other key
issues under debate at the United Nations and other forums, such as total cancellation of the
foreign debt of developing countries; global and national governance; world trade;
reforming the United Nations and international financial institutions; civil society
participation; intellectual property rights; agricultural policies; climate change; social
determinants of health; and, importantly, world peace. One could also propose the concept
of twinship between a developed and developing country, whereby a developed country
accepts to accompany a developing country (and vice versa) in achieving its right to
development through a mutual exchange of experiences, gains and human, financial and
cultural resources.
3.
Right to development
24.
Several respondents viewed international solidarity and the right to development as
complimentary and mutually reinforcing. International solidarity should be an
indispensable component of efforts to realize the right to development, which could help to
lessen the gap between developed and developing countries by buttressing rhetoric and
declarations with tangible actions. It is the right of all countries to develop, subject to the
duty to do so in ways that will not harm others or the environment. In today’s
interdependent world, international conditions give rise to situations of emergency,
especially in developing countries; for instance, the financial crisis, conflicts and
environmental degradation. The spread of diseases, high-debt burdens and unfair trade
practices hamper the efforts of developing countries to pursue sustainable development. It
is argued that global solidarity or universal fraternity should be the basic principle inspiring
relations between developed and developing countries. This view also reflects the need felt
in the current international context to ensure that civil society actors are leading players in
8
GE.10-14914
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