A/HRC/9/10 page 5 I. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION 6. International solidarity and international cooperation are based on the foundation of shared responsibility. In the broadest sense, solidarity is a communion of responsibilities and interest between individuals, groups and States, connected by the ideal of fraternity and the notion of cooperation. The relationship between international solidarity and international cooperation is an integral one, with international cooperation as a core vehicle by which collective goals and the union of interests are achieved. 7. The purpose of the study of international assistance and cooperation in this report is to emphasize that such cooperation must be oriented, as a matter of priority, toward the realization of all human rights, in particular economic, social and cultural rights, and internationally agreed goals such as the Millennium Development Goals, and must respond swiftly and effectively to grave situations such as natural disasters. International cooperation and collective obligations in international human rights instruments 8. The essence of international cooperation can be found in the purposes contained in the United Nations Charter. Article 1.1 states “To achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion.” An entire chapter of the Charter (Chap. IX) is devoted to international economic and social cooperation. Articles 55 and 56 establish international legal obligations in relation to international cooperation and assistance. 9. International cooperation and assistance is also firmly established within international human rights instruments. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in article 28, states that “everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized”. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights contains explicit references to international assistance and cooperation for the realization of the rights guaranteed therein: article 2 draws attention to the obligation of all States parties to take steps “individually and through international assistance and cooperation, especially economic and technical”, towards the full realization of the rights recognized in the Covenant. Article 11.2 emphasizes as well the obligation to take steps, individually and through international cooperation, to ensure the right to be free from hunger. The importance of collective obligations was reaffirmed by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in its general comment No. 3 on the nature and scope of international legal obligations. Similar obligations have been laid out for other rights as well.1 1 CESCR general comment No. 11, article 14, Plans of action for primary education (E/C.12/1999/4, para. 9), CESCR general comment No. 13, article 13, Right to education (E/C.12/1999/10, para. 56), CESCR general comment No. 14, article 12, The right to the highest attainable standard of health (E/C.12/2000/4, para. 45), CESCR general comment No. 15, The right to water (E/C.12/2002/11, para. 38), CESCR general comment No. 17, The right of everyone to benefit from the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any