A/HRC/13/38 had established the foundation for effective international assistance and cooperation. The Social Forum further recognized that international assistance and cooperation played a significant role in making social security viable for all States, and urged donor States to fulfil their official development assistance (ODA) commitments, for which they should have mechanisms in place to ensure the efficient and objective use of ODA. 29. The need for further reform of the decision-making process on international economic policy was another area of international cooperation highlighted in several contributions from Member States and other stakeholders from civil society. As underlined by the Council in its resolution S-10/1, they pointed to the need to establish an equitable, transparent and democratic international system to strengthen and broaden the participation of developing countries in international economic decision-making and norm-setting. C. Responsibility of non-State actors 30. The global economic and financial crisis brought a renewed focus on the role and responsibilities of non-State actors along with those of States. In its contribution to the present report, the Government of Switzerland emphasized that it encouraged the private sector to contribute to sustainable development in a manner respecting human rights. In this context, the Government reported that it has actively promoted the United Nations Global Compact and reaffirmed the importance of the ten principles that underline this initiative. 31. In his report to the eleventh session of the Human Rights Council, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises maintained that while markets can be highly efficient means for allocating scarce resources and powerful forces for promoting social objectives ranging from poverty alleviation to the rule of law, they must have adequate institutional underpinnings and be embedded in the broader values of social community. He stressed that these governance gaps create the permissive environment within which blameworthy acts by corporations may occur without adequate sanctions or reparation. He recommended that governments must avoid erecting protectionist barriers or lowering human rights standards for businesses; their short-run gains are illusory and they undermine longer-term recovery. For companies, even downsizing and plant closings must be conducted responsibly, and restoring public trust and confidence in business is as much of an immediate challenge as reinventing viable business models.18 VI. Conclusion 32. At the United Nations Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and Its Impact on Development in June 2009, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights stated that this crisis was not only a crisis of development, but of human rights as well. Throughout the crisis the United Nations human rights mechanisms have stressed the importance of putting individuals and their human rights at the centre of considerations in responding to the crisis, and the value of human rights principles and international standards in guiding and strengthening national and international policies and responses to the crisis. Public participation, transparency, access to information, judicial protection and accountability serve as important building blocks ensuring sustainable recovery and growth in a manner that minimizes the impact on human rights and further contributes to their realization. 18 12 A/HRC/11/13, paras. 7 and 9. GE.10-10930