A/HRC/45/15 good practices that can be used to implement the underlying principles of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, in line with the right to development. Below, the Special Rapporteur reviews a number of challenges that he identified in the process of consultations preceding the preparation of the present report. A. Resource mobilization 81. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, States faced significant challenges in mobilizing resources to finance development and implement the right to development. State submissions for the present report underscored these challenges, with countries detailing their varied strategies for increasing revenues, while also highlighting the need for substantial external support (see paras. 28, 39 and 42 above). The Special Rapporteur recalls that under core human rights treaties, States are obligated to mobilize the maximum available resources for the progressive realization of human rights, including the right to development. 8 The Declaration on the Right to Development also specifies, in its article 3 (3), that States have the duty to cooperate with each other in ensuring development and eliminating obstacles to development. In paragraph 22 of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, States pledged to strengthen international cooperation to support efforts to build capacity in developing countries. This aspect of international cooperation among States is critical for implementing the right to development in development financing, because the submissions illustrate that some countries currently do not have sufficient domestic revenues, or cannot increase revenues quickly enough, to meet Sustainable Development Goal targets.9 82. Therefore, ODA remains critical, and the Special Rapporteur recalls the commitments that contributor States have made to supporting developing countries. In its submission, one State specifically invoked the pledge of contributor States to provide 0.7 per cent of their gross national product in ODA (see para. 43 above), a target set in General Assembly resolution 2626 (XXV). Despite these commitments, contributions have declined over the past few years, and they will likely decrease further in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis. The Secretary-General reported that net ODA flows had totalled $149 billion in 2018, down 2.7 per cent in real terms from 2017, with a declining share going to the neediest countries. 10 For example, less than 10 per cent of European Union aid reaches the world’s poorest countries.11 Research has also shown that within some States, less financing goes to areas with the worst health and education outcomes. 12 Thus, the Special Rapporteur expresses alarm not only at the declining levels of assistance, but also at the lack of targeting of aid. 83. Nonetheless, submissions for the present report show that some States have taken up the challenge of targeting resources within their own borders. Recognizing territorial inequalities, States shared measures that they had implemented to localize development financing and planning (see paras. 37, 48 and 60 above). One State reported establishing development centres throughout its territories (see para. 64 above), and another State provided technical platforms specifically geared towards helping municipalities learn about and design their own development plans (see para. 37 above). These efforts have the potential to increase the efficacy of development financing, as they could allow local governments and communities to work together to direct resources to where they are most needed. The Special 8 9 10 11 12 See International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, art. 2 (1); Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, general comment No. 3 (1990) on the nature of States parties’ obligations; Convention on the Rights of the Child, art. 4; and Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, art. 4 (2). See also ActionAid, Who Cares for the Future: Finance Gender Responsive Public Services! (April 2020), pp. 72–73, and Report of the Secretary-General on SDG Progress 2019, Special Edition (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.19.I.6). Report of the Secretary-General on SDG Progress, p. 29. Lucy Lamble and Karen McVeigh, “Less than 10% of EU aid reaches world’s poorest countries, study finds”, The Guardian, 21 November 2019. Amy Dodd, Marcus Manuel and Zach Christensen, Failing to Reach the Poorest: Subnational Financing Inequalities and Health and Education Outcomes (Overseas Development Institute and Development Initiatives, September 2019). 13