A/HRC/39/47 I. Introduction 1. The present report of the Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order is submitted to the Human Rights Council in accordance with Council resolution 18/6 and subsequent resolutions 21/9, 25/15, 27/9, 30/29, 33/3 and 36/4 and is the first report of the current mandate holder since his appointment by the Council at its thirty-seventh session. The Independent Expert is requested to report regularly to the Council and to the General Assembly, pursuant to resolution 18/6 and paragraphs 11 and 12 of resolution 36/4. 2. The Independent Expert recalls that, in resolution 18/6 establishing the mandate, the Council broadly called for an international order in which people could enjoy the rights of international solidarity, development and self-determination; exercise effective sovereignty over their natural wealth and resources; freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development; have equal opportunity to participate in regional and international decisionmaking; and have a shared responsibility to address threats to international peace and security. As noted by the previous mandate holder (A/HRC/21/45 and Corr.1), relevant to resolution 18/6 are General Assembly resolutions 3201 (S-VI) on the Declaration on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order, 2625 (XXV) on the Declaration of Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and 65/223 on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order 3. The mandate calls for a holistic approach to the implementation of human rights, with due regard to the universality, indivisibility, interdependence and inalienability of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, and thus enjoins all stakeholders, including States and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, to cooperate to realize the aspirations expressed in the Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 4. In the present report the Independent Expert presents his vision as the second holder of the mandate and outlines the approach he intends to take in giving full effect to the mandate with which he has been entrusted. 5. The report is inspired by the existing normative human rights framework that incorporates the purposes and principles of the Charter, the international human rights treaties and a plethora of human rights instruments, principles, declarations and resolutions, including those of the Human Rights Council, the General Assembly and regional mechanisms, that reaffirm our faith in fundamental human rights, dignity and the worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and in the duty of States, small and large, to create conditions to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom, while maintaining international peace and security. 6. Building on the work of the first mandate holder, Alfred Maurice de Zayas, who, through his expert consultations and thematic studies guided the implementation of the mandate for the first six years, the Independent Expert would like to explore current obstacles to the realization of genuine democracy and equitable development, identify home-grown solutions and share lessons learned. He will propose innovative approaches to building viable partnerships between Governments, the private sector and civil society. The Independent Expert will further focus on a number of thematic priorities, expanded on below, insofar as they have an impact on a democratic and equitable international order. Moreover, there is space within the mandate to critically reflect on how recommendations arising from these thematic priorities intersect with the Sustainable Development Goals. 7. The Independent Expert would like to participate actively in international forums and engage States as well as cooperate and engage with other special procedure mandate holders. He considers it absolutely necessary to coordinate his work with other United Nations mechanisms, including the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee and the human rights treaty bodies as well as the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and multilateral institutions such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the International Labour 2