A/HRC/42/29 product in more than 30 countries.46 Especially in lower-middle income countries, remittances have helped to ease the credit constraints of poor households, facilitate asset accumulation and business investments and reduce poverty.47 Human rights mechanisms have expressed concerns about obstacles faced by migrant workers in sending remittances, including unilateral coercive measures, and the absence of pension systems for migrant workers.48 In their 2018 report on the right to development, the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner noted the contribution made through remittances to reducing inequalities among countries.49 Target 17.4 – long-term debt sustainability 39. Public debt levels have continued to rise and the changing composition of the debt has increased debt vulnerabilities. A number of countries, including around 30 least developed and other vulnerable countries, are either already in or at high risk of debt distress. Some middle-income countries are experiencing debt levels not seen since the debt crises of the 1980s. The greater reliance on commercial debt and a rise in external debt carrying variable interest rates has increased refinancing risks. Analytical tools and debt management should continue to be improved.50 They should also evolve in response to the changing global context, and in line with the obligations set out in the Declaration on the Right to Development and other human rights instruments. The Working Group has agreed that finding solutions for debt sustainability should take into account poverty reduction and the promotion and protection of human rights. It has also highlighted that arrangements to service national debt should take into account national priorities of human development and poverty reduction, consistent with human rights obligations. 51 The Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights has produced detailed guidance on debt sustainability and human rights. 52 Target 17.5 – Investment promotion regimes for least developed countries 40. Experts engaging with the Working Group have emphasized the good practices in promoting investment for least developed countries, such as the Least Developed Countries Fund administered by the Global Environment Facility. 53 Recommendations issued in the context of the universal periodic review highlight the importance of providing different kinds of support to least developed countries. 54 The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has recommended at least one State party to increase its official development assistance commitments to least developed countries. 55 B. Technology Target 17.6 – cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation 41. Access to technology, science and innovation in many developing countries is still a major challenge. Developing countries need support from the international community to close technology gaps and address digital divides, keep up with rapid technology change and make progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. 56 Transfer of 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 10 See https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/bx.trf.pwkr.dt.gd.zs. See https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2018/goal-17/. CERD/C/ARE/CO/18-21, para. 23; CMW/C/TUR/CO/1, para. 74; A/HRC/33/48/Add.1, para. 62. A/HRC/39/18, paras. 56 and 63 (i). E/FFDF/2019/2, paras. 61–69. E/CN.4/2006/26, para. 50. A/71/305; A/HRC/20/23 and Corr.1. Tessa Khan, “Promoting rights-based climate finance for people and planet”, study presented to the Working Group on the Right to Development at its nineteenth session, para. 95. A/HRC/38/5, para. 93.8; A/HRC/28/12 and Corr.1, paras. 138.287 and 138.291; A/HRC/28/4, para. 145.183; A/HRC/15/15, paras. 79.106–79.107 and 79.110–79.111. E/C.12/KOR/CO/3, para. 7. E/FFDF/2019/2, para. 84.