A/HRC/33/45
maintained that the consensus requirement was not an absolute one, and should not come at
the expense of ensuring that the right to development was a reality for all. Regarding the
standards, the Non-Aligned Movement was of the view that this initial discussion, together
with the proposals made by Member States, would form the basis for the constitution of
international standards and a convention on the right to development. International
cooperation was an integral part to the implementation of the right to development. The
right to development was distinct and should not be defined through secondary aspects of
development. With regard to the methodology outlined by the Chair-Rapporteur, the NonAligned Movement would take the liberty to consider the text, make it its own and use it for
whatever purpose it deemed fit.
58.
Cuba stated that the report and conclusions had been prepared by the ChairRapporteur, and that it was not logical to negotiate his conclusions. It disagreed with the
view that the standards were too focused on international cooperation, and in fact felt that
they were too focused on the national level. Namibia, Egypt, South Africa, Tunisia and the
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela supported the statement delivered by the Islamic
Republic of Iran on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. Namibia commented that the
conclusions of the Chair-Rapporteur were not an end in themselves, but rather the
beginning of a new process, even though the procedural aspects of discussions on them still
required clarification. Egypt referred to the critical timing of the report, stating that it was a
foundation on which to develop the right conditions for the right to development to be
realized. To ensure the political will required in standard 1, the document should refer to
international cooperation, the transfer of technology and the means to achieve the right to
development as an integrated approach covering social, economic and environmental
development.
59.
Brazil stated that the report of the Chair-Rapporteur, which contained loud and clear
messages on the right to development, would aid the work of the Working Group. It agreed
with the Chair-Rapporteur that the human right to development was no longer questioned,
and that the document outlined a practical and realistic approach. With a collaborative and
cooperative spirit, the Sustainable Development Goals would guide the Working Group in
its work, giving the most significant impetus to the realization of the right to development.
South Africa referred to the developments of recent years, when the issue of the criteria and
sub-criteria had left the Working Group in disarray and had not been cost-effective. It
supported the vision of the Chair-Rapporteur to put the Working Group on a more positive
trajectory. The standards provided food for thought for work on a convention on the right to
development. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela stated that the report of the ChairRapporteur would render the mandate of the Working Group more effective by promoting
reflection. It provided a road map to be debated, and mechanisms and tools to move
forward.
60.
Argentina thanked the Chair-Rapporteur for his report, and expressed its
appreciation for the set of standards presented to the Working Group for its consideration.
Engagement with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was a priority for the
Government of Argentina. Development should be understood as “sustainable
development”. The 2030 Agenda renewed the commitment with an integral human
development strategy, which included people and the environment, and was aimed at
strengthening institutions, civil society and international cooperation.
61.
Japan reiterated the view that there should be more balance between national
responsibility and international cooperation; the report of the Chair-Rapporteur tended
towards the latter. It requested more clarity with regard to the use of such terms as rights
and obligations in the document. It concluded with a call to discuss the document in more
detail and to reach consensus. Tunisia stressed the pressing need for a favourable
environment for realizing the right to development. While this was connected to
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