A/HRC/12/WG.2/TF/2 page 16 effective tool for assessment does not appear to take right to development criteria fully into account. 61. Noting that no new reviews were conducted and that the summit dedicated to the Mechanism in January 2009 concentrated on progress reports on the implementation of national programmes of action for countries that had already undergone review, the task force considers that the Mechanism’s current focus on making recommendations to member countries and on ensuring the implementation of the recommendations that follow a country review constitutes an opportunity to introduce explicitly elements of the right to development, while developing clear prioritization, measurable indicators, better integration into existing development plans and broad-based policy review and monitoring of development progress. 2. Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness 62. The Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness is viewed by many developing countries as a donor-driven instrument to the extent that its implementation and the assessment of its effectiveness are not sufficiently based on local ownership or mutual accountability. 63. The task force welcomes the reference in the Accra Agenda for Action to gender, human rights and sustainable development as consistent with the right to development, but regrets that the Agenda did not address more fully and directly the concerns mentioned in its previous reports. 3. Mutual Review of Development Effectiveness 64. The value of the Mutual Review of Development Effectiveness from the perspective of the right to development lies in the effectiveness of the accountability mechanism and in enhancing the negotiating position of African countries with regard to aid effectiveness. The 2009 Review in Africa proved to be a useful exercise in assessing mutual accountability and development effectiveness, although many dimensions of the right to development, such as explicit reference to human rights, a focus on gender and priority for the vulnerable and marginalized populations, were not adequately addressed. The task force also concludes that policy priorities should be revised in the light of the increased needs of African countries due to the failure of the Doha Round and the current financial crisis. 65. The task force also concludes that a considerable number of the commitments could not yet be met and that the current economic crisis threatened to have a negative impact on development performance in Africa. 4. Cotonou Agreement 66. In order to be consistent with the right to development, the conclusion and ratification of economic partnership agreements and the revision of the Cotonou Agreement should be transparent and involve parliamentary scrutiny and consultation with civil society. This applies equally to the African, Caribbean and Pacific States, the European Community and its Member States as well as to the European Parliament.