A/HRC/27/45
situation demanded, to confront and eliminate the obstacles standing in the way of
development, to translate commitments into concrete action and to create the conditions for
the enjoyment of the inalienable right to development for all peoples, everywhere.
22.
At its first meeting, the Working Group adopted the agenda (see annex I) and
programme of work of its fifteenth session.
23.
During the session, the Working Group finalized the first reading of the remaining
draft right to development operational subcriteria proposed by the high-level task force on
the implementation of the right to development. It also proposed draft operational
subcriteria for new draft criteria that were proposed during the Group’s thirteenth session.
For that purpose, the Working Group had before it two conference room papers
(A/HRC/WG.2/15/CRP.3 and 4) containing, respectively, submissions received from
Governments, groups of Governments and regional groups, and from other stakeholders.
III. Summary of proceedings
A.
General statements
24.
On behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Islamic Republic of Iran
stated that the right to development must be given the high profile it deserved. It expressed
serious concern that, despite longstanding efforts, progress had been slow and obstacles to
realizing the right to development still persisted. The challenges were becoming more
complex and it was now more than ever necessary to make the right to development a
reality for all. The United Nations system organizations, including in the areas of finance
and trade, must be involved and all relevant bodies should be engaged in mainstreaming the
right to development into their objectives, policies and programmes. NAM stressed its
unwavering commitment to the right to development, an individual and collective right
involving individual, national and international responsibilities, and requiring a balance
between national and international responsibilities. All human rights were interdependent
and mutually reinforcing. The Working Group must continue the first reading of the criteria
and subcriteria and proceed to the second reading. Once adopted, they would be
comprehensive and coherent standards, providing a basis for international legal standards of
a binding nature. They would enable implementation of the Declaration on the Right to
Development. The ultimate goal of that process was the implementation of the right to
development for all human beings.
25.
The European Union (EU) expressed its strong commitment to sustainable
development, the eradication of poverty and equitable globalization. It reiterated its support
for the right to development, on the basis of the indivisibility and interdependence of all
human rights and the multidimensional nature of development strategies. While national
development efforts must be supported, States had primary responsibility for the realization
of the right to development by their citizens. The ambitious programme of work of the
Working Group was attainable and EU was willing to pursue a consensual approach to rise
above polarization and focus on what united rather than what divided.
26.
Pakistan, on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), stated that
realizing the right to development was crucial to the realization of all other human rights,
including in the industrialized world, and called for collective responsibility of all human
beings. Realization of the right to development required political commitment and
resources. Sustainable development demanded efforts at the national level, which should be
supported at the international level through collective efforts. The goal of sustainable
development must become a reality on the ground. The Working Group should proceed to
the second reading, and extension of its meeting time should be considered.
7
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