A/HRC/38/19 an integral part of fundamental human rights; and acknowledged the role of civil society and of national human rights institutions in the implementation of the human rights agenda. The Universal Declaration and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action embodied the aspirations of a world committed to respecting the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all people. 25. Several delegations stated that the Universal Declaration constituted a guide in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The pledge to leave no one behind enshrined in the Agenda reflected the centrality of human rights regarding the achievement of sustainable development. A number of representatives of NGOs said that the above-mentioned pledge should be translated into a more significant role for human rights in efforts to address inequalities. Many representatives of States highlighted the fact that civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights must be treated equally when striving to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. In the view of some delegations, development and respect for human rights were inalienably interlinked and one could not be achieved without the other. Other delegations stated that effective international cooperation with a global reach would be conducive to the realization of the right to development. 26. A number of delegations stressed that, in order to translate the principles and standards of the Universal Declaration into concrete results, human rights should be put at the centre of conflict-prevention and violence-reduction measures. One of the best ways to support sustainable security grounded in international law was through investment in human rights in the context of open societies. Several delegations emphasized the importance of technical cooperation, capacity-building initiatives and coordination and complementarity between national, regional and international mechanisms, in order to implement human rights holistically. 27. In terms of human rights advances, representatives of a number of States recalled the adoption of international agreements and the establishment of international institutions dedicated to human rights. Referring to the implementation of the human rights agenda, some delegations stressed the importance of the respect for sovereignty, in line with the Charter of the United Nations. Human rights should not be used as a political tool in a selective manner. 28. The commemoration of the anniversaries of the two declarations provided an opportunity to identify persisting challenges and obstacles regarding the full implementation of the commitments contained in the instruments. 29. Certain speakers said that they were concerned at the weak implementation of the Universal Declaration, arising, inter alia, from: the absence of an enabling environment for sustainable development; shrinking space for civil society; pressing humanitarian crises; continuing threats to human rights defenders; persistent poverty and hunger in many regions of the world; and a tendency to underestimate the significance of economic, social and cultural rights. 30. Referring to the rise of extremism and terrorism, some delegations noted with concern the unprecedented level of violence affecting, for instance, minorities and ethnic groups. Terrorist attacks were a threat to the realization of the right to life. 31. Many representatives of States observed that the universality, indivisibility and interdependence of human rights were constantly being challenged in favour of special interests and considerations. Several speakers emphasized the need to overcome the false dichotomy between human rights and national sovereignty. Concerns were also expressed with regard to inequalities among people and nations. A number of delegations singled out the gap between commitments and implementation at the country level as one of the factors undermining the very essence of the Universal Declaration. 32. In the view of many delegations, discrimination against and exclusion of specific groups remained a reality. Several representatives of States highlighted the current worrying trend of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Some delegations also pointed out that persons with disabilities continued to face severe disadvantages. 6