A/HRC/44/28 I. Introduction In its resolution 41/3 of 11 July 2019, the Human Rights Council requested the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to prepare a report on the work of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in the implementation and enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights, proposing also possible ways to face the challenges to the promotion and protection of human rights, including the right to development. II. International cooperation and the normative framework of human rights International cooperation can help realize human rights. According to Article 1 (3) of the Charter of the United Nations, one of the fundamental purposes of the Organization is “to achieve international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion”. In Articles 55 and 56 of the Charter, “all Members pledge themselves to take joint and separate action in cooperation with the Organization” to achieve the purposes set forth in the Charter, which include “universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion”. This is echoed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which in article 22 recognizes the role of international cooperation in everyone’s entitlement to realization of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his or her dignity and the free development of his or her personality. The critical role of international cooperation in the realization of human rights is also recognized in several human rights treaties. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights mandates international assistance and cooperation, especially economic and technical, as means of achieving economic, social and cultural rights (art. 2 (1)). Elaborating on this provision in its general comment No. 3 (1990) on the nature of States parties’ obligations, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights recognized that international cooperation for development, and thus for the realization of economic, social and cultural rights, is an obligation of all States. The Covenant also recognizes the importance of international cooperation based on free consent in the context of realizing the right to an adequate standard of living and to freedom from hunger (art. 11). Furthermore, it encourages international cooperation in the scientific and cultural fields (art. 15 (4)). Other human rights treaties, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, also recognize the importance of international cooperation for realizing human rights. The Declaration on the Right to Development recognizes that States have the primary responsibility for the creation of national and international conditions favourable to the realization of the right to development (art. 3 (1)). This requires full respect for the principles of international law concerning friendly relations and cooperation among States (art. 3 (2)). States also have the duty to cooperate with each other in ensuring development and eliminating obstacles to development (art. 3 (3)). States should realize their rights and fulfil their duties in such a manner as to promote a new international economic order based on sovereign equality, interdependence, mutual interest and cooperation among all States, as well as to encourage the observance and realization of human rights (art. 3 (3)). The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights in 1993, aims at “achieving substantial progress in human rights endeavours by an increased and sustained effort of international cooperation and solidarity” (preamble). In it, the World Conference reaffirmed that enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights is essential for the full achievement of the purposes of the United Nations (part I, para. 1). It also reiterated that States should cooperate with each other in ensuring development and eliminating obstacles to 2