A/HRC/36/23 International cooperation and resource constraints 32. In recent years the volume of official development assistance (ODA) reflected an incremental trend, and in 2016 witnessed a new peak of $142.6 billion. However, this figure lagged substantially behind the call contained in the Monterrey Consensus of the International Conference on Financing for Development for 0.7 per cent of the gross national product (GNP) of developed countries to be devoted to ODA to developing countries and for 0.15 to 0.20 per cent to least developed countries. 23 While these targets have been reiterated in the 2030 Agenda, most donor countries are still falling behind. Bilateral aid to least developed countries has actually declined by 3.9 per cent.24 This may be related to the fact that much of the new aid has been redirected to cover increased indonor-country refugee costs. 25 Ultimately, if Member States use their ODA to cover indonor refugee costs and do not increase the level of their ODA accordingly, fewer resources will be available for development cooperation activities in developing countries. 26 This constitutes an obstacle to effective international cooperation for comprehensive development as foreseen in articles 3, 4 and 6 of the Declaration and must be redressed, in tandem with implementing the Addis Ababa Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development,27 which the General Assembly endorsed as an integral part of the 2030 Agenda and is critical for the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals with regard to the means of implementation. 28 33. A number of challenges to the implementation of the right to development are centred on issues of resource constraints and related national and international policies. Some factors affecting the availability of resources are slow economic growth, tax avoidance and evasion, corruption, illicit financial flows and lack of capacity. These constraints affect the ability of Governments to adopt development policies that leave no one behind and take concrete steps to end poverty, in line with the requirement in the Declaration of national and international development policies aimed at human well-being. Successful implementation of the right to development and the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular goal 8 on decent work, employment and sustainable and inclusive economic growth and goal 9 on inclusive and sustainable industrialization, relies in part on changing the current dynamic of economic growth. In 2016, the growth rate was at its lowest since the financial crisis, but improvements are projected for 2017 and 2018. The low growth rate, combined with demographic changes, has led to an estimated increase in global unemployment to 200 million people in 2017 (E/FFDF/2017/2). 34. The means of implementing the right to development include economic and social reforms at the national and international levels, outlined in articles 8 and 10 of the Declaration. The Addis Ababa Action Agenda calls for increased accountability for development financing commitments (para. 58), including accountability for businesses (paras. 35 and 37); renews pledges to provide a social protection floor for everyone (para. 12); establishes a new Technology Facilitation Mechanism (para. 123); and includes, for the first time, a follow-up and review mechanism for financing development (paras. 130134). The implementation of the Action Agenda requires an international system of financing for development that is just, equitable, cooperative, transparent and accountable that integrates human rights and that puts the people at the centre of the development goals.29 35. Increasing revenue mobilization in developing countries is not enough if their resources are simultaneously drained as a result of illicit activity. The Addis Ababa Action 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 8 Report of the International Conference on Financing for Development, Monterrey, Mexico, 18-22 March 2002 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.02.II.A.7), chap. 1, resolution 1, annex, para. 42. See www.oecd.org/dac/development-aid-rises-again-in-2016-but-flows-to-poorest-countries-dip.htm. Ibid. See www.oecd.org/dac/financing-sustainable-development/In-donor-refugee-costs-in-ODA.pdf. General Assembly resolution 69/313, annex. See General Assembly resolution 70/1. OHCHR, Frequently Asked Questions on the Right to Development, Fact Sheet No. 37, 2016, pp. 1415.