A/HRC/42/35 cooperation. The African Group highlighted the United Nations system development reform, which could contribute to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda if it improved interinstitutional dialogue and practices for promoting the right to development. 13. OIC considered that the realization of the right to development could be a key factor in addressing global human rights challenges. Poverty, illiteracy, disease, discrimination and inequality posed serious challenges to the right to development and other human rights. Equitable market access and better terms of trade for developing countries, the sharing and transfer of technology and support in debt servicing would help developing countries achieve development and human rights targets. OIC welcomed the negotiations on a legally binding instrument and considered that the 2030 Agenda could provide a good point of reference for its preparation. It recommended that OHCHR should enhance its activities aimed at the implementation of the right to development. 14. The European Union commended the Chair-Rapporteur’s efforts to explore the connection between equality and the right to development. The European Union remained strongly committed to eradicating poverty, achieving sustainable development and promoting equality for all and equitable globalization. It would continue to engage with the Working Group based on the concepts of the indivisibility and interdependence of all human rights, the multidimensional nature of development strategies, the individual as the central subject of the development process, and the primary responsibility of States to realize the right to development for their citizens. The European Union would not contribute to the discussion on the elaboration of a draft legally binding instrument, as it was not the appropriate mechanism to realize the right to development. 15. China considered that, despite many achievements made since the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development, uneven development was still the world’s greatest challenge. China considered the right to development to be a primary and fundamental human right. It adopted a people-centred model of development based on innovation, coordination, green development, openness and inclusiveness. China supported the negotiation of a legally binding instrument on the right to development and looked forward to the mandated report of the Advisory Committee on the same topic. All parties should continue to pursue consensus to advance in the implementation of the right to development. 16. Qatar stated that its Constitution was based on human rights, equality of opportunity and development. Those concepts were reflected in national strategic and development plans. Countries should work to remove obstacles to development through cooperative policies and should remove unilateral coercive measures that undermined the right to development. Qatar would welcome expert views on the way forward in the implementation of the right to development and the 2030 Agenda. Qatar looked forward to the development of a legally binding instrument on the issue. 17. Mozambique pointed out that the session was being held shortly after Cyclone Idai, an extreme weather event that had resulted in heavy human and material losses. That situation served as a reminder of the importance of the right to development and disaster risk reduction enshrined in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030. Mozambique saluted the ongoing United Nations reforms that would lead to more robust country teams and greater consistency when assisting countries in their development efforts. It also welcomed the negotiations and upcoming study on a legally binding instrument. 18. Egypt considered that foreign funding and international cooperation to facilitate capacity-building and the transfer of technology were essential for low- and mediumincome countries to implement economic, social and cultural rights. Egypt emphasized the importance of the negotiation of a legally binding instrument on the right to development, expressing its hope that the session would identify the elements to be included as a basis for the discussion. 19. The Islamic Republic of Iran recalled the request of the Working Group to OHCHR to allocate additional resources to undertake tangible and visible projects on the right to development. The right to development was under unprecedented attack by the adoption of unilateral coercive measures against an increasing number of developing countries. These measures had a negative impact on human rights, including the right to development. The 5