A/HRC/9/17
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Development Goal 8, a framework compatible with the international responsibilities contained in
the right to development. She underlined the importance of maintaining the consensus reached at
the previous session of the Working Group as a demonstration of the political will of
Member States to move the right to development from the realm of rhetoric to real practice. In
recognizing the unique combination of the political will of Member States and the expertise of
experts and institutional members, she expressed confidence that the Working Group would
produce a consensus outcome towards further operationalization of the right to development,
building on the achievements made in past sessions.
III. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
36. On the basis of the discussions in the Working Group, the Chairperson-Rapporteur
prepared and circulated a draft text for the conclusions and recommendations of the
Working Group at its ninth session. The draft text was subsequently discussed, negotiated and
amended by delegations. At its final meeting, on 22 August 2008, the Working Group adopted,
by consensus, its conclusions and recommendations.
37. After the adoption of the conclusions and recommendations, several States and groups
presented explanations of their positions with regard to the conclusions and recommendations.
France (on behalf of the European Union) and Canada clarified that “other aspects” (para. 38)
also included good governance, democracy and the rule of law at the domestic level. Cuba (on
behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement) stated that “relevant provisions” in Council resolution 4/4
(para. 41) referred to those leading to an “internationally legally binding convention”. In
addition, it emphasized that “other aspects” referred to an ODA commitment of 0.7 per cent of
gross national product, establishing a new international economic order and a fair economic
system, as well as good governance and democracy at the international level, including in the
functioning of international trade, financial and monetary institutions. Egypt, aligned with the
Non-Aligned Movement, added that “other aspects”, such as good governance, democracy and
the rule of law, should apply at both the national and international levels, and that “other
instruments” also included the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Canada
interpreted Council resolution 4/4 as in no way predetermining that the outcome of the Working
Group’s efforts would be an international instrument on the right to development. In addition,
Canada specified that the phrase “transfer of technology” should be interpreted as set out in
Millennium Development Goal 8. Japan referred to the workplan as recommended by the
Working Group and indicated that, as resources were not inexhaustible, they earnestly hoped that
the task force would carry out its work in an appropriate manner, without any additional
budgetary implications.
A. Conclusions
38. The Working Group expresses its appreciation to the high-level task force on the
implementation of the right to development for the work it has carried out in accordance with its
mandate. The Working Group takes note of the report of the high-level task force and of its
observations regarding the three development partnerships considered at its third session, and the
preliminary assessment of the Cotonou Agreement between European Union and African,
Caribbean and Pacific countries. The Working Group agrees that the next phase should cover
further dialogue and follow-up with the four identified global development partnerships and pilot
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