A/HRC/38/37 III. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the right to health A. Human rights underpinnings of the Sustainable Development Goals 10. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is grounded in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, international human rights treaties and other instruments. 9 As a result, the Sustainable Development Goals seek to realize the human rights of all and to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. 10 In addition to reaffirming the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international instruments relating to human rights and international law, States also underscore their responsibility, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations, to respect, protect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction of any kind as to race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability or other status. 11 The pledges to leave no one behind and to endeavour to reach the furthest behind first evoke the key human rights principles of equality, non-discrimination and inclusion.12 11. While the Sustainable Development Goals themselves are not framed explicitly in the language of human rights, virtually all of the Goals explicitly reflect the contents of corresponding key economic, social and cultural rights. Many of the targets under the Goals address availability, accessibility, including economic accessibility (affordability), and quality of education, health, water and other services related to those rights, with targets on access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food for all, universal health coverage, free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education, access to safe and affordable water, sanitation, hygiene and housing and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.13 12. The 2030 Agenda reaffirms human rights for all, without distinction of any kind as to race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability or other status.14 It also pays particular attention to women and girls, and to those in situations of vulnerability, such as children, youth, persons with disabilities, persons living with HIV/AIDS, older persons, indigenous peoples, refugees and internally displaced persons and migrants. 15 B. Health in the Sustainable Development Goals 13. As stated by the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, health is central to the Sustainable Development Goals, as it is both an outcome of and a path to achieving poverty reduction and sustainable development. Progress in health is both dependent on and a consequence of progress towards other Goals. 16 The supremely ambitious and transformational vision envisaged by the 2030 Agenda is of a world with equitable and universal access to quality education at all levels, to health care and social protection, where physical, mental and social well-being are assured.17 14. While the right to health is intrinsically connected to several Goals and targets, Goal 3, on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages, is the principal 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 See General Assembly resolution 70/1, para. 10. Ibid., third preambular paragraph. Ibid., para. 19. Ibid., para. 4. See A/HRC/34/25, paras. 8 and 10. See General Assembly resolution 70/1, para. 19. Ibid., para. 23. See A/71/304, para. 6. See General Assembly resolution 70/1, para. 7. 5