A/HRC/15/WG.2/TF/2 I. Introduction 1. The high-level task force on the implementation of the right to development held its sixth session in Geneva from 14 to 22 January 2010. 2. The task force was established by the Commission on Human Rights in its resolution 2004/7 as endorsed by the Economic and Social Council in its decision 2004/249, within the framework of the intergovernmental open-ended Working Group on the Right to Development, in order to assist it in fulfilling its mandate as reflected in paragraph 10 (a) of Commission resolution 1998/7. 3. The Human Rights Council, in its resolution 9/3, and the General Assembly, in its resolution 63/178, endorsed the workplan for the task force for the period 2008–2010, as recommended by the Working Group (A/HRC/9/17, para. 43). 4. The Human Rights Council, in its resolution 12/23, and the General Assembly, in its resolution 64/172, endorsed the recommendations of the Working Group (A/HRC/12/28, paras. 44–46), including that the task force focus on consolidating its findings (A/HRC/15/WG.2/TF/2/Add.1) and present a revised list of right to development criteria, together with corresponding operational sub-criteria (A/HRC/15/WG.2/TF/2.Add.2), and outline suggestions for further work, including aspects of international cooperation not covered until then for the consideration of the Working Group at its eleventh session. II. Organization of the session 5. The session was opened by the Director of the Research and Right to Development Division of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Marcia V.J. Kran. 6. At its first meeting, on 14 January 2010, the task force elected by acclamation Stephen Marks as Chairperson-Rapporteur, and adopted its agenda (A/HRC/15/WG.2/TF/1); (see annex I) and programme of work.1 7. The task force focused on the implementation of the recommendations of the Working Group (see paragraph 4 above). The task force had before it a number of presession and background documents to inform its deliberations (see annex III). III. Statements by institutional members and observers 8. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) indicated that it was important for the task force to consider the evolution of the global economic context and evaluate its implications for the realization of the right to development. Developing countries have been seriously affected by the global financial and economic crises, and UNDP made efforts to ensure that countries were supported throughout the crises, and that endeavours to achieve the Millennium Development Goals were not undermined but rather accelerated to meet the 2015 targets. 9. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), as the focal point for trade and development issues within the United Nations system, found the 1 GE.10-11443 See www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/development/right/docs/pow13Jan.pdf. 3