A/HRC/42/29 technology can be promoted through partnerships among existing global and regional centres, online technology information platforms, clearing houses, technology instruments of international agreements, relevant economic partnership agreements, international financial institutions and technology funds.57 42. The Working Group considers knowledge a public good and a key instrument for development. It also considers that transfer of technology in development partnerships should respect the right of everyone to benefit from scientific progress and its applications. 58 From a right to development perspective, transfer of technology should ensure the fair distribution of benefits for all in relation to technological development. Target 17.7 – environmentally sound technologies 43. The Clean Technology Fund has raised over $5 billion to empower transformation in developing countries by providing resources to new technologies that enable a transition to low carbon economies. As of June 2019, the fund had projects in 19 countries, and one regional programme.59 However, the list of the beneficiary countries does not yet include least developed countries, landlocked developing countries or small island developing States. Target 17.8 – technology bank capacity-building mechanism and technology 44. The Working Group has affirmed the need to make the benefits of new technologies, especially information and communications technologies, available to all, and the need to bridge the digital divide.60 As emphasized by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, by vastly expanding the capacity of individuals to enjoy their right to freedom of opinion and expression, which is an “enabler” of other human rights, the Internet boosts economic, social and political development, and contributes to the progress of humankind as a whole. 61 45. The Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries contained a call for the establishment of a technology bank dedicated to least developed countries. The Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries was established by the General Assembly in its resolution 71/251, and started activities in 2018, aimed at improving access for scientists and researchers to data, publications and knowledge in 12 least developed countries. 62 It is guided by 13 independent experts in science, technology and innovation appointed by the Secretary-General.63 The Technology Bank has the potential to provide an important contribution for the realization of the right to development in least developed countries. C. Capacity-building Target 17.9 – national plans to implement the sustainable development goals 46. Technical cooperation and capacity-building will be a critical vehicle in supporting and contributing to the effective and inclusive implementation of the 2030 Agenda, and of national development objectives, and in ensuring that those are fully aligned with human rights standards and obligations as requested by Member States in this transformative vision for development.64 The need for exchanging good practices and for capacity-building between developing countries and developed countries has been highlighted in the context of the work of human rights mechanisms such as the Working Group on the Right to 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 Financing for Sustainable Development Report 2019, p. 161. E/CN.4/2006/26, para. 51. See www.climateinvestmentfunds.org/topics/clean-technologies. E/CN.4/2002/28/Rev.1, para. 100 (g). A/HRC/17/27, para. 67. See http://unohrlls.org/custom-content/uploads/2018/12/04.12.18-New-MD-for-Technology-Bankwelcomed-at-the-UN.pdf. See http://unohrlls.org/custom-content/uploads/2018/07/Fact-Sheet-TB.pdf A/HRC/38/28, para. 60. 11