A/HRC/39/56 had now launched a comprehensive framework to alleviate poverty. The delegate reiterated the call for the finalization of the set of standards as a matter of urgency and emphasized the importance of finalizing the criteria and subcriteria, which had been under negotiation since 2010. 19. The representative of Pakistan expressed agreement with the Non-Aligned Movement and OIC. The Declaration on the Right to Development broadly defined various aspects of the right to development, while discussions around the criteria and subcriteria and set of standards were fruitful for shortlisting different categories, elements and guidelines for operationalization of the right to development. The right to development provided a bridge between development and human rights. Pakistan supported the theme of the 2018 high-level political forum on sustainable development, “transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies”, which could help in the promotion and protection of all human rights. 20. The representative of Egypt, expressing agreement with the African Group and the Non-Aligned Movement, noted that the right to development required international cooperation within a framework of equitable economic relations, exchange of best practices and transfer of technology, while respecting the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. Egypt was looking forward to concluding the discussion on the set of standards and criteria. Any further delay in the adoption of the standards should act as a trigger to the Human Rights Council to decide upon the best way of drawing up a legally binding instrument. 21. The delegate of South Africa stated that the promise of the right to development had remained unfulfilled and undermined by philosophical debates, with regression on key commitments. It was an equal right, and article 22 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights was testimony to the continent’s commitment towards the practical realization of the right to development. The delegate referred to the stagnation with regard to progress on the right to development in the Working Group, owing to ideological differences, while poverty and obstacles towards development remained deep-rooted. The delegate also spoke of the need for the involvement of United Nations system organizations, to mainstream the right to development, and of the High Commissioner, to identify and implement concrete and stand-alone projects. 22. The representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela expressed regret that some developed countries had blocked such work over the years and noted that unilateral sanctions undermined the progress in the work on development and that capitalism exacerbated inequalities. The representative stressed the need for a legally binding document, reaffirming the provisions of the Declaration on the right to development, and expressed support for the adoption of guidelines on the operationalization of the right to development. 23. The delegate of Ethiopia expressed agreement with the African Group and the NonAligned Movement and believed that development was a question of survival as a human being and a fundamental human right. The international community had an obligation to work and cooperate for the realization thereof. Growing alone was costlier than growing together, and the Government was striving and working towards the realization of development with its neighbours for mutual benefit and the creation of a peaceful world, through poverty reduction and the creation of additional jobs. 24. The representative of Nepal stated that the value that the right to development bore for a least developed country could hardly be overemphasized. The right to development could constitute real connecting threads that led to the realization of all human rights and that called for its mainstreaming. Nepal hoped for the finalization of the consideration of criteria and subcriteria and noted that, without the creation of a just and predictable environment underpinned by a suitable international legal framework, the dream of realizing the right to development would largely remain unfulfilled. 25. The delegate of Qatar expressed agreement with the Non-Aligned Movement. Qatar noted with regret that the use of unilateral cohesive measures created obstacles for the promotion of the right to development and blocked its implementation, also affecting global cooperation for sustainable development. It encouraged States to overcome those obstacles 6