A/HRC/8/WG.2/TF/2 page 7 legally binding convention on the right to development. The observer noted that the criteria are a work in progress and that they should reflect the international dimension of the right to development, focus on implementation and cover broader issues within MDG 8. 21. In a statement on behalf of the European Union (EU) and associated countries, the observer for Slovenia noted the usefulness of evaluating global development partnerships, while indicating the need for improving the criteria, and called for more focus on MDG 8 issues and partnerships involving other regions. The observer concluded by expressing hope that the task force adopt a gradual approach based on rigorous empirical analysis and the constructive consolidation of its findings in a phased manner. She also referred to the importance of applying a gender perspective to the implementation of the right to development and a holistic human rights-based approach. 22. In a statement on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the observer for Pakistan called for effective international cooperation, the creation of an international enabling environment, including a fair trade regime, as well as broader participation of developing countries in international economic decision-making. He also noted the role of a rights-based approach to development in catalyzing the achievement of internationally agreed developmental objectives, including the MDGs, the importance of identifying innovative sources of financing for development in order to achieve sustainable development and the need to remove the constraints placed on development by certain aspects of Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement and other technology control regimes. 23. In a statement on behalf of the African Group, the observer for Egypt highlighted key elements of Human Rights Council resolution 4/4 referring to it as a strong vote of confidence in the task force. The representative expressed the Group’s support for geographic and thematic expansion within MDG 8, particularly on technology transfer. He further noted that the process of progressively refining the criteria should better reflect the principles of the right to development and, at the end of phase III of the Work Plan mandated by the Working Group (see A/HRC/4/47, paras. 53-54, on its Work Plan), the international community will be in a position to start the drafting process of a Convention on the Right to Development. 24. In associating himself with the statements by NAM and the OIC, the observer for Indonesia welcomed the recommendation made by the task force to expand the application of the criteria to assess global partnerships to other regions. Indonesia looks forward to more focused, tangible and concrete proposals from the task force to further accelerate the implementation of the criteria. 25. In response to the comments made on an international convention on the right to development, the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the task force stressed the importance of maintaining consensus in spite of the voting results of the General Assembly resolution 62/161 of 18 December 2007 on the right to development. 26. The observer for Friedrich-Ebert Foundation voiced civil society’s interest in the advancement of the right to development and presented a study of a German-Kenyan