A/HRC/19/52 III. Summary of proceedings A. Opening statements 8. Egypt, speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, congratulated the Chairperson-Rapporteur on her election and the High Commissioner for Human Rights for her presence at the opening of the session. Egypt noted that in receiving the outcome of the activities of the task force, the Working Group, at its eleventh session, decided to bring back the discussions to the intergovernmental context for further reflection, while Governments, groups of Governments, regional groups and other stakeholders submitted their views and comments on the work of the task force, which were the subject of discussions at the current session. The Non-Aligned Movement had embarked upon an exercise of refining the criteria and sub-criteria submitted by the task force in accordance with the articles of the Declaration. It had to be underlined that the Declaration constituted the only frame of reference and basis for discussions and the elaboration of standards for implementation of the right to development. It was reiterated that such standards were to evolve into an international instrument of a legally binding nature on the right to development. In monitoring and ensuring the implementation of the right to development, an honest assessment of the impact of development and development-related strategies and programmes was required at both the national and international levels. The standards being evolved here would serve, in addition to their potential normative contribution, as a measurement tool for impact assessments. The Non-Aligned Movement further invited OHCHR to reflect the right to development separately and independently in the Office’s thematic priorities and strategies in the upcoming strategic management plan. 9. Several delegations took the floor and associated themselves with the statement made by Egypt. Cuba referred to the right to development as one of the highest priorities of developing countries, and as reaffirmed in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, it is a universal and inalienable human right. There were some recent trends to redefine right to development, circumscribe it to its national dimensions and avoid historical responsibility and this must be opposed. Often domestic efforts are hampered by international actions outside national control and these create obstacles that violate the right to development. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela stated that obstacles such as unilateral sanctions on countries in the South, serious global crises, predatory capitalist system and denial of economic resources have all hampered the realization of this right. Nepal made specific reference to the development emergencies that least developed countries (LDCs) faced. It recalled the recently adopted Istanbul Programme of Action, guided by the overarching goals to be achieved by 2020 and the need to support LDCs, especially in their human and institutional capacities and decent work for all. Qatar spoke of the overall national Vision 2030 aiming at sustainable development, which rested on four pillars, but also safeguarded traditions. Pakistan pointed out the difficulties of finding principled, common ground and stated that instead of building on the implementation of the framework, attempts were being made to dilute the Declaration and the international framework in particular. While primary responsibility was with States, this was rendered meaningless without policy space. Thailand stressed a human-centred approach to development, and a balanced, inclusive approach. At the national level, this would require effective development policies, inclusive participation and respect for all rights and mainstreaming into all development actions. At the international level, this would mean the removal of all obstacles, international cooperation and global partnership. The Philippines pointed out that, if the right to development were truly enshrined and respected as a fundamental human right, and if States and the international community adhered to and applied the principles of the Declaration, the world would be a better place, we would be in a better position to fulfil the Millenniun Development Goals (MDGs) and the human rights 4