A/HRC/36/35
as it was not open to negotiation as such. The European Union was not in favour of the set
of standards proposed by the Non-Aligned Movement, but would be open to engage in
discussion on that. The delegate from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland expressed serious concerns with the set of standards proposed by the Non-Aligned
Movement and did not see it as a credible basis for discussion as it did not take into account
the divergent views of the different member States. The United Kingdom was also
disappointed with the procedure followed.
66.
The representative of the Non-Aligned Movement said that the proposed set of
standards had been submitted in February 2016 and the idea was to open up a debate to
seek common positions within the Working Group and it was hoped that specific comments
would be made on the proposals in the document. Many States supported the set of
standards proposed by the Non-Aligned Movement and it would welcome more
constructive progress and engagement on them.
67.
The representative of Associazione Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII presented and
circulated a non-paper on the set of standards with the view to making progress in the
deliberations. The non-paper contained four sections on the principles identified in the
Declaration on the Right to Development, obstacles to an enabling international and
national environment, the proposed standards according to agreed language and sources. It
was hoped that the document could be a useful reference for facilitating the discussion.
G.
Consideration of the draft right to development criteria and
corresponding operational subcriteria
68.
The Working Group continued its consideration of the draft right to development
criteria and corresponding operational subcriteria prepared by the high-level task force
(A/HRC/15/WG.2/TF/2/Add.2, annex). In its previous session, the Working Group
completed a second reading of the draft criteria and corresponding operational subcriteria
and recommended that consideration of the criteria and subcriteria be completed by its
nineteenth session in 2018.
69.
The representative of the Non-Aligned Movement distributed a non-paper aimed at
finalizing the consideration of the criteria and subcriteria. The non-paper was based on the
criteria and subcriteria submitted by the high-level task force and integrated the relevant
provisions of the 2030 Agenda that were agreed by consensus by the Member States. The
non-paper was not a substitute for the work carried out to develop the criteria and
subcriteria, but rather a tool aimed at moving the discussion forward. It was intended to
help to progress the negotiations and support the Working Group in completing the work.
The representative of the European Union noted that more time would be required to make
concrete suggestions and proposals on the non-paper.
70.
The Chair-Rapporteur noted that not much progress was being made in the work
under that agenda item and that they were unable to engage in a constructive dialogue. He
stated that if that persisted, the work of the Group would not only stagnate, but it would
also have to consider other alternatives to make progress. He appreciated the efforts made
to try and find common ground in that context, especially the consideration of the language
of the Sustainable Development Goals as a way of building consensus.
IV. Conclusions and recommendations
71.
At the final meeting of its eighteenth session on 7 April 2017, the Working
Group adopted by consensus the present conclusions and recommendations, in
accordance with its mandate as established by Commission on Human Rights
resolution 1998/72.
72.
In his concluding remarks, the Chair-Rapporteur expressed disappointment at
the lack of progress during this session of the Working Group. His concern was
echoed by the representatives of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, speaking on
behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, and Associazione Comunità Papa Giovanni
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