A/HRC/27/27
26.
The High Commissioner reminded States that the right to development puts people
at the centre of development. It addresses the linkages between the national and
international conditions that are necessary for development. The right also provides
substance for the guarantee enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of a
social and international order in which human rights can be fully realized. A truly enabling
environment for development must address both the national and international constraints
that limit the potential for development in all countries. Human rights entail extraterritorial
obligations for all States to ensure that their policy decisions (as well as other actors under
their jurisdiction, such as private corporations) do not have a negative impact on the human
rights of people living in other countries.10
27.
The current model of development is unequal, unstable and unsustainable. The
financial, food, fuel, energy and climate crises have exacerbated inequalities both within
and between countries, depriving millions of people of their right to a decent standard of
living. In the outcome document of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable
Development, entitled “The future we want”, States called for a world that is “just,
equitable and inclusive”.11
28.
A central objective of the new development agenda must be the eradication of
poverty, especially extreme poverty, which should be understood more broadly than an
income of $1.25 per day. Poverty is multidimensional. It is rooted in the chronic
deprivation of resources, capabilities, choices, security and power necessary for an
adequate standard of living and other fundamental human rights. The new agenda must
therefore aim to promote and protect both freedom from want and freedom from fear for all
people, without discrimination. It must aim to fulfil the rights to education, health, housing,
food, water, sanitation and decent work and social security. It must also take account of
people’s concerns relating to personal security, access to and administration of justice, and
the possibility of political participation, including free expression and association.
29.
Furthermore, the imperative of equality should underpin the entire agenda, so that
marginalized groups, previously locked out from development, are included. This implies
that three principles –equality, non-discrimination and a broader sense of equity –are
integrated throughout the sustainable development goals. One of the key failings of the
Millennium Development Goals was their focus on average statistics and aggregate
progress, which excluded many people from development. Inequalities, both within and
between countries, have risen in ways that put economic growth and social cohesion at risk,
as social tensions flare into divisive and violent conflict. Equality must be integrated
throughout the new framework. This can be achieved by disaggregating data for all social
groups for all goals, targets and indicators, and monitoring progress for each group. This
will help to create greater equity in access to health, education and other key social
services. It will help to ensure the inclusion of the marginalized, disempowered and
excluded groups, including women, minorities, indigenous peoples, persons with
disabilities, migrants and others. The new targets and indicators must also include measures
to eliminate discrimination and measures to reduce social, economic and environmental
inequalities. This should include addressing the unequal environmental burdens borne by
10
11
The high-level task force on the implementation of the right to development concluded that the
responsibility for the creation of an enabling environment for the realization of the right to
development encompassed three main levels: (a) States acting collectively in global and regional
partnerships; (b) States acting individually as they adopt and implement policies that affect persons
not strictly within their jurisdiction; and (c) States acting individually as they formulate. national
development policies and programmes affecting persons within their jurisdiction. See
A/HRC/15/WG.2/TF/2/Add.2, annex.
General Assembly resolution 66/288, para. 6.
9
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