A/HRC/45/40 affirmed the right to development as an inalienable human right by virtue of which every human person and all peoples are entitled to participate in, contribute to, and enjoy economic, social, cultural and political development, in which all human rights and fundamental freedoms can be fully realized (art. 1 (1)). The Assembly also noted that the right implies the full realization of the right of peoples to self-determination, which includes, subject to the relevant provisions of both International Covenants on Human Rights, the exercise of their inalienable right to full sovereignty over all their natural wealth and resources (art. 1 (2)). In addition, it declared that States have the duty to cooperate with each other in ensuring development and eliminating obstacles to it (art. 3 (3)). Finally, it puts people at the centre of the development process by noting that States have the right and duty to formulate national development policies that are aimed at the constant improvement of the well-being of the entire population and of all individuals on the basis of their active, free and meaningful participation in development and in the fair distribution of the resulting benefits (art. 2 (3)). 8. In 1987, the concept of sustainable development was anticipated in the report of the World Commission on Environment and Development, entitled “Our Common Future”. In the report, it was noted that to make development sustainable, it was necessary to ensure that it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. 3 The Commission viewed development and environmental protection in the report through the prism of needs, in particular the development needs of the world’s poor, while highlighting the notion of intergenerational equity. 9. In 1990, the Commission on Human Rights convened the Global Consultation on the Right to Development as a Human Right. Suggestions were made during the consultation, including that the United Nations should elaborate and adopt a binding comprehensive convention on the right of peoples and every human being to development that should envisage the creation of a corresponding mechanism to evaluate the levels of development of States and to monitor the realization of agreed upon obligations. 4 10. The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development was unanimously adopted by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development at its meeting held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 1992. Principle 3 of the Declaration notes that the right to development must be fulfilled so as to equitably meet developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations.5 11. Adopted in 1993, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, unanimously endorsed by the General Assembly, reaffirmed the right to development as a universal and inalienable right and an integral part of fundamental human rights. In the Declaration, it is noted that lasting progress towards the implementation of the right to development requires effective development policies at the national level, as well as equitable economic relations and a favourable economic environment at the international level. It is also acknowledged that the right to development should be fulfilled so as to meet equitably the developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations.6 12. The Summit Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries (NAM Summit), for example, has repeatedly called for work to be done towards a Convention on the Right to Development. At the twelfth NAM Summit, held in Durban, South Africa, in 1998, States urged that consideration be given to the preparation of a Convention on the Right to Development as one of the important steps towards the effective implementation of that right.7 13. In the United Nations Millennium Declaration, Heads of State and Government unanimously expressed their commitment to making the right to development a reality for everyone and to freeing the entire human race from want. They also resolved to create an environment, at the national and global levels alike, that was conducive to development and 3 4 5 6 7 4 A/42/427, annex, p. 24. E/CN.4/1990/9/Rev.1, para. 86. A/CONF.151/26/Rev.1 (Vol. I), annex I. A/CONF.157/23, pp. 5–6. A/53/667-S/1998/1071, annex I.