A/HRC/11/10 page 6 reform of the global financial institutions to ensure that the current system is transformed into` one that is more inclusive of the needs and concerns of developing countries and civil society and is based on transparency and equitable relationships between creditor and debtor countries. In this regard, he expressed the view that the United Nations, as the most universal and broadly representative body, should take the leading role in that process. 13. Concerning the issue of illegitimate debt, the independent expert has also had initial consultations with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) about plans to begin a project focused on illegitimate debt. The independent expert believes that the project will provide important opportunities to advance the debate on illegitimate debt at the global level. Consequently, he hopes to work closely with UNCTAD as the project is implemented. 14. These multiple meetings, consultations and conferences have offered invaluable opportunities for the independent expert to raise awareness about his mandate, build partnerships, and explore possible future cooperation with various stakeholders. The meetings also served as important occasions to highlight the draft guidelines on foreign debt and human rights, and to encourage all parties to submit their inputs to the process of revising and updating the guidelines. The insights and perspectives shared during the meetings and subsequent correspondence have been informative for the independent expert, and he has integrated relevant information into the proposed conceptual framework that follows. 15. The independent expert has also had extensive discussions with the Governments of Ecuador and Norway about the possibility of undertaking missions to their respective countries. He is pleased to report that both Governments have expressed a willingness to receive him, and that, by the time he presents this report, he will have visited Norway (from 28-30 April) and Ecuador (from 1-9 May 2009). The focus of his visits to these countries will be on examining their unique roles in the debate about illegitimate debt, with a view to identifying good practices that may be replicated in other countries. III. DEBT AND HUMAN RIGHTS: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK A. General 16. The total external debt of low- and middle-income countries in 1995 was US$ 1,951 billion, and by 2006 it had risen to US$ 2,983 billion.1 In 2007, it was estimated that the total external debt of these countries was US$ 3,360 billion,2 which included public and private debt, as well as multilateral and bilateral debt. 1 World Bank, World Development Indicators (Washington D.C.: The World Bank, 2008), p. 347. 2 D. Millet and E. Toussaint, “Figures relating to the debt for 2009”, Committee for the Abolition of Third World Debt (CADTM) (available at www.cadtm.org (accessed 8/3/09)).