A/HRC/10/65 page 6 Foreign debt and poverty 20. The independent expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights, Cephas Lumina, stated that, from a human rights perspective, excessive debt burdens, high dependency on foreign assistance and extreme poverty together pose a major challenge to the realization of human rights in many countries by undermining the human rights obligations of States and the enjoyment of human rights by the poor in indebted countries. Studies indicate that some countries are spending much more each year on servicing debt than on human rights-related public services, such as education and health, combined. 21. The independent expert emphasized that the reduction of foreign debt through debt relief is considered one of the principal ways to contribute to poverty reduction and debt sustainability. However, he drew attention to a number of key concerns in debt relief initiatives, particularly with regard to the conditions attached to debt relief measures. Debt relief alone cannot facilitate development and poverty eradication in low-income countries; it must be complemented by additional development assistance, particularly in the form of concessional loans or grants. In this respect, he pointed out the fact that official development assistance (ODA) has been declining to levels well below the 0.7 per cent target reaffirmed in the Monterrey Consensus of the International Conference on Financing for Development. 22. The independent expert concluded by underlining the importance: (a) of consistency among trade, aid and debt policies, and that debt relief initiatives be accompanied by concessional aid; (b) that debt relief for poverty reduction be specific to country situations and not undermine the enjoyment of human rights by the poor in low-income countries; and (c) of the promotion of transparency and the participation of civil society and the poor in debt relief programmes. 23. Following the independent expert’s presentation, the Chairperson-Rapporteur announced that the speaker to follow, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation of Jordan, Nasser Shraideh, was unable to attend the Social Forum and that his statement would be read out by a representative of the Permanent Mission of Jordan to the United Nations Office in Geneva. Mr. Shraideh’s statement focused on the direct and indirect impact of external debt on poverty. He explained that a large foreign debt can directly reduce Government resources available for the poor. High indebtedness can also indirectly increase poverty because it undermines economic growth by increasing uncertainty and reducing expenditure on economic infrastructure. It could also scare away foreign direct investment, which is important for economic growth. His statement also provided information, facts and figures on the efforts of the Government of Jordan to reduce its foreign debt. The role and responsibility of the State in poverty eradication 24. The Permanent Representative of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Li Baodong, spoke about the role and responsibility of the State in poverty eradication. Observing that poverty is caused by social and historic factors, he emphasized that promoting human rights was an essential component for eradicating poverty.