UN Transcripts — https://transcripts.un.org/ar/asset/k10/k10x96d32c
1st Meeting, 13th Session of the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development (EMRTD) — 21 April 2026
Language: en
Automatically generated transcript — may contain errors. Not an official United Nations record.

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EMRTD · Vice-Chair [0:02]:

Good afternoon, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, colleagues, and friends. Thank you all for joining us today. I would like to start by reminding that at its first session held in June 2020, the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development agreed consensus to have one chair and one vice chair on a rotational basis for every 6 months. Unfortunately, for reason of force majeure, the current chair, Clentiana Mahmouda, was unable last minute to travel to New York to be here with us today. In addition, Mr. Bonny Aibaho, member of the expert mechanism for Africa, was also unable to join this session in person, but he will contribute with video messages in relevant segments of these 3 days. Having said so, in my capacity as Vice Chair of the Expert Mechanisms, I have the honor to chair this meeting, and accordingly, I declare open the 13th session of the Expert mechanisms on the right to development. We are pleased to have with us today Mr. Rio Haddad from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, who will deliver opening remarks on behalf of the Assistant Secretary General for Human Rights, Mrs. Ilse Brant-Carris. Welcome, Mr. Haddad.

You have the floor. Thank you.


OHCHR · Rio Haddad [1:49]:

Thank you. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, Madam Chair and members of the expert mechanisms, and dear colleagues. We convene at a moment of considerable global strain. Polarization is deepening, multilateral cooperation is under pressure, and human rights are increasingly contested. At the same time, with fewer than 5 years remaining to achieve the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals, the progress is uneven and in many contexts reversing. In this environment, the right to development is not peripheral, it is central. It speaks directly to today's intersecting crisis of inequality, conflict, climate disruption, debt and exclusion, and to the urgent need for development that is inclusive, equitable, and grounded in human rights. As the Secretary-General recently reminded the Human Rights Council, and quote, "When human rights fall, everything else tumbles: peace, development, social cohesion, trust, solidarity. Inequality, exclusion, and unjust global economic arrangements are not only moral failures, they actively undermine sustainable development and human dignity. Inclusive and equitable development is therefore both a human rights imperative and a preventive strategy against instability and conflict. The right to development translates this integrated vision into practice through concrete principles of participation, equity, accountability, and international cooperation. It offers a framework for aligning development policies with human rights obligations, and for measuring progress not merely through economic growth, but through the real expansion of freedoms and dignity for all. Excellencies, this year we mark the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development, adopted during a period of profound global transformation. 40 years on, its relevance is unmistakable. Structural inequalities within and between countries continue to shape access to opportunity, security, and dignity. This year we also commemorate 60 years of the two international human rights covenants, alongside other important milestones: 25 years of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, and 20 years of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and on Enforced Disappearance. Taken together, these instruments remind us that the right to development is not a standalone aspiration, but an inalienable human right that connects and reinforces the entire human rights framework. It provides a people-centered lens through which all rights can be realized in an integrated manner by emphasizing participation, equality of opportunity, international cooperation, and the fair distribution of the benefits of development. As we reflect on these milestones, our challenge is not simply to commemorate past achievements, but to translate their normative promise into lived reality. Advancing the right to development requires dismantling structural barriers, empowering rights holders, and ensuring that no one is left behind. It also requires recognizing that all human rights are interconnected and mutually reinforcing and essential to building just, equitable, and sustainable societies. Here, the expert mechanism plays a critical role. Through its sessions, studies, and dialogues, it provides a space to clarify the content of the right to development, share best practices, and promote its practical implementation across regions and contexts. During this session, the expert mechanism will engage in interactive discussions on key current issues, including artificial intelligence and cultural rights, peace and security, the role of regional mechanisms, migration, the anniversaries of the Declaration on the Right to Development and the Durban Declaration—


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [6:38]:

Thank you.


OHCHR · Rio Haddad [6:39]:

And unpacking the content of the draft International Covenant. I am confident that these discussions will deepen reflection and reinforce the continued relevance of the right to development in today's challenging global context. Madam Chair, members of the expert mechanisms, this 13th session also marks the conclusion of the mandates of or members of the expert mechanisms. Your contributions have been particularly impactful during a period defined by overlapping global crises. You have helped clarify the content of the right to development, strengthen its operational relevance, and situate it clearly in relation to challenges such as inequality, unsustainable debt, climate change, digital transformation, and shrinking multilateral space. Your work has demonstrated that the right to development remains not only relevant, but indispensable. I wish to extend the Office's sincere appreciation to each of you, and to wish you every success in your future endeavors. Thank you. I am confident that the new members will build on this strong foundation, advancing the right to development and the realization of all human rights for all people everywhere. I wish you productive and meaningful deliberations at this 13th session. Thank you.


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [8:17]:

Thank you, Mr. Haddad, for your words. Excellencies and colleagues, I would like to underscore that at this session, The expert mechanism will focus on the 40th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Right to Development and will include thematic discussions around contemporary challenges and cross-cutting themes for the operationalization of the right to development. Before we move to the next agenda items, please allow me to remind about some secretariat aspects. To register on the list of speakers under any agenda item, including Item 3, General Debate, please press the button in front of you during the relevant agenda item, or if your electronic nameplate is not active, simply raise your hand. You can also register with the secretary in the room. The secretary will appreciate that you share in advance a copy of your intervention to OHCHR-EMRTD.un.org, which will facilitate interpretation in the room. We now move to agenda item 2, namely the adoption of the agenda and program of work. The Secretariat has made available the provisional agenda and the program of work on the session's website. Following the adoption of the program of work, we will continue with the general debate under Item 3. The limit— the time limit for general statements under this agenda item is 10 minutes for groups of states. States, 7 minutes for national statements, and 7 minutes for intergovernmental organizations, the United Nations system, regional organizations, and other stakeholders. Tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m., we will hold discussions under Agenda Item 4, Implementation of the Mandate and Program of Work. Thank you. And we will begin with agenda item 4A, consideration of thematic studies, when we will have discussions of two expert mechanism thematic studies to address their main findings and welcome further input. These are artificial intelligence, cultural rights, and the right to development, authored by my fellow expert, Clentiana Mahmoudat, and Peace and Security and the Right to Development, that I am authoring. The Secretariat has made available on the website the two draft studies. We have invited expert speakers to provide specific comments from the podium on these two studies, and we will also welcome intervention and reflection from participants in the room with statements of maximum 3 minutes each. At 3:00 p.m. tomorrow, we will move to agenda item 4B, focus thematic discussion. Under this item, we will hold 4 thematic dialogues. The Secretariat has made available on the dedicated website of the session the respective concept notes. These in-focus dialogues will each be presented by one expert of the mechanisms, and we will be joined by distinguished speakers from member states, UN entities, regional mechanisms, civil society, and the academia. Participants will be able to take the floor to intervene and interact with the speakers. With statements of maximum 3 minutes. Tomorrow afternoon, we will hold two in-focus dialogues. I will have the pleasure to present the thematic discussion of the topic, the role of regional mechanisms in realizing the right to development, followed by the in-focus dialogue, Advancing Non-Discrimination Equality and Development for All: 40 Years of the Right to Development and 25 Years of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, that will be presented by my fellow expert, Isabelle Duhon. On Thursday morning, Mijir Kanade, member of the expert mechanism but also chair of the drafting group of international experts appointed by the UN for elaborating the draft International Covenant on the Right to Development, will lead the third In Focus Dialogue entitled An Interactive Chapter-by-Chapter Discussion on the Draft International Covenant on the Right to Development. And on Thursday afternoon, Clint— no, Clintiana Mahmutat Mavy, with a video message, will present the fourth and final dialogue on participation, inclusion, and the right to development of migrants. After this focused thematic discussion, we will present our conclusions under Agenda Item 5 later on Thursday afternoon before closing the session. The conclusions will be made available at the Expert Mechanism webpage and include in our annual report to the Human Rights Council in 2026. This is our program of work for the 13th session of the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development. I would like to ask my fellow experts if any would like to comment or make change to the program of work. I see none. It is my understanding that there is consensus on the provisional agenda and program of work. I declare the agenda and program of work adopted. We now move to the general debate under agenda item 3. I would like to invite delegates and participants who have not yet registered for the list of speakers and who would like to speak to indicate so by pressing the relevant button on your seats, or if your electronic nameplate is not active, simply raise your hand. Delegation representing group of states have 10 minutes to deliver their interventions, and all other participants have 7 minutes. As per protocol, I will give the floor first to delegation representing group of states, followed by state representative speaking in their national capacity. I will then give the floor to other participants in this order: United Nations mechanisms, bodies, and specialized agencies, funds and programs, intergovernmental organizations, regional organizations and mechanisms in the field of human rights, national human rights institutions and other relevant national bodies, academics and experts on development issues, and non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council. I will appreciate it if only one person take the floor per delegation. I would like to also remind all participants to send a copy of their intervention to the Secretariat. The email address is ohchr-emrtd.un.org. Thank you. I now invite all delegates and participants to deliver their general statements. The first name in the list of speakers is the representative from European Union.


Speaker 6 [17:08]:

Yes.


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [17:09]:

European Union.


EU · EU [17:25]:

Thank you, Vice Chair. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the European Union and its member states. We appreciate the opportunity to address the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development. The right to development is an integral part of the universal human rights framework and must be realized in full consistency with the universality, indivisibility, interrelation, interdependence, and mutually reinforcing nature of all human rights, with the individual as the rights holder at its center. Individuals are the central actors, drivers, and beneficiaries of development, while states, as the duty bearers, have the primary responsibility to respect, protect, and fulfill all human rights, including the right to development, in accordance with their obligations under international human rights law. The full and non-discriminatory realization of all human rights civil, cultural, economic, political, and social, and sustainable development are mutually reinforcing. Therefore, the implementation of the right to development cannot be seen purely through an economic lens, nor can development be considered or interpreted as a precondition for the fulfillment of human rights. To be clear, the realization of the right to development cannot be used as a pretext by states to not uphold their human rights obligations. We are fully committed to implementing the 2030 Agenda, which is our collective and indivisible roadmap in this regard. We urgently call on the whole UN membership to maintain, or where necessary re-establish, its focus on realizing the SDGs. We also reaffirm our commitment to the Compromiso de Sevilla, which renews the global framework for development financing in support of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Working to realize the right to development, the EU and its Member States are dedicated to eradicating poverty in all its dimensions, tackling discrimination and inequalities, and ensuring that no one is left behind, both within and beyond the European Union. Our development cooperation policy and international partnerships place individuals at the center, in line with the human rights-based approach, recognizing that poverty extends beyond income deprivation and impacts on all aspects of life. Frequently, poverty goes hand in hand with multiple violations of human rights. We demonstrate our dedication to addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and conflict by our financial commitments. The EU and its member states are the world's leading provider of official development assistance, accounting for 48%, or almost half, of all global official development assistance in 2025. As we have consistently emphasized, the EU supports approaches to the right to development that are grounded in international human rights law and reflect the diversity of views expressed by UN member states. Thank you. We plan to engage constructively in the discussions over the next few days, in particular the thematic discussion on the role of regional mechanisms in realizing the right to development, in which the EU DPR will participate as a panelist. The European Union will continue to ensure that development policies respect, protect, and fulfill human rights, with the individual as the primary actor and beneficiary. I thank you.


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [20:29]:

Thank you.

The next speaker on the list is the distinguished delegate of Uganda on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. Nam, you have the floor.


Uganda · NAM [20:48]:

Thank you.

Madam Chair, I have the honor and on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement the 121 member states to speak on the subject to which we have historically attached a particular importance, bearing in mind the fact that the Declaration on the Right to Development was initially promoted by the Non-Aligned Movement. The Non-Aligned Movement would like to express our appreciation to H.E. Ambassador Zameer Akram, the chair rapporteur of the Working Group on Rights Development, Mrs. Kletiana Mamutazi, chair of the Expert Mechanism on Rights Development, and Mr. Surya Deva. Thank you. Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development. We also express our appreciation to the expert mechanism on the right to development for providing thematic expertise on the right to development and express our support in the fulfillment of that mandate. Over 3 decades, Years have passed since the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development, which is, as agreed in 1986, an inalienable human right by virtue of which every human person and all peoples are entitled to participate in, contribute to, and enjoy economic social, cultural, and political development in which all human rights and fundamental freedoms can be fully realized. It was recognized at that time that the human person is the central subject of development, and all human beings have a responsibility for development individually, collectively and become active participants and beneficiaries of the right to development. Yet for ensuring its full enjoyment and realization, profound reforms of the international economic structure and the international financial structure, including the creation of economic and social conditions that are favorable to developing countries, are still required. States have the duty to take steps to formulate international government policies with a view to facilitating the full realization of the right to development. Nam also believes that right to development should be central to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development And in this vein, I urge all UN member states to pay particular attention to the rights movement in the context of the elaboration of their national policies in line with the 2030 Agenda. In addition, the Non-Aligned Movement renews its commitment to promote and protect all universally recognized human rights, in particular, The right to development as a universal and inalienable right and as an integral part of all universally recognized rights and fundamental freedoms, as it was highlighted in the high-level meeting of the General Assembly on September 22nd, 2016, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the right to development. The movement welcomes the convening of a one-day high-level segment of the General Assembly at its 81st session to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development and invites all member states, including Nam member states, to attend the high-level segment at the highest level of representation to ensure a meaningful and impactful celebration. Chair, the movement urges the UN human rights machinery to ensure the operationalization of the right to development on an urgent basis. NAM urges the General Assembly in accordance with the HRC Resolution 54/18 to ensure the operationalization of the right to development as a priority through consideration, negotiation, and the subsequent adoption of an international covenant on the right to development by the UN General Assembly to become a legally binding instrument on the right to development. The member states of the movement seize this opportunity to renew that proposal and work towards the convening of the United Nations-sponsored High-Level International Conference on the Right to Development. The movement calls upon UN member states to make clearly and loudly known the need to reinvigorate the implementation of the right to development as an inalienable human right. It further calls upon the United Nations, its development-related agencies, and its regional and country offices, as well as international finance institutions, to mainstream the right to development into their policies and operational activities and multilateral trading frameworks. In addition, the movement expresses its strong condemnation of the promulgation and application the application of unilateral coercive measures against member states of the movement in violation of the Charter of the United Nations and international law. In this respect, I reiterate determination to denounce and demand the complete, immediate, and unconditional repeal of such measures which affect human rights and prevent the full economic and social development of the peoples subjected to them. To conclude, Madam Chair, the Movement reiterates its unequivocal commitment to the right to development in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and will reassure the expert mechanism of NamUs' continued and unwavering support.


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [27:50]:

Thank you.


Uganda · NAM [27:51]:

In the execution of that mandate. I thank you, Madam Chair.


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [27:59]:

Now I give the floor to the representative from Bangladesh. We are honored to have an official from the capital. Sir, you have the floor.


Bangladesh [28:11]:

Thank you, Madam Chair, for giving me the floor. And Madam Chair, Bangladesh aligns itself with the statement delivered by Uganda, on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. We commend the Chair-Rapporteur of the Working Group, the Chair of the Expert Mechanism, and the Special Rapporteur for their continued efforts in advancing the right to development. We reaffirm our strong support for the Expert Mechanism's mandate. The right to development, as articulated in the 1986 UN Declaration, places the human person at the center of development. It affirms the universal and inalienable right of all individuals and peoples to participate in, contribute to, and benefit from economic, social, cultural, and political progress. This principle remains as relevant today as ever, particularly as we strive to advance the 2030 Agenda amidst the polycrisis facing the world. Unfortunately, the progress in realizing the right remains uneven. Structural inequalities persist and global disparities are widening. Many developing countries continue to face systemic constraints arising from international financial architecture and trade regimes that do not adequately reflect their needs. Addressing these imbalances requires a more equitable, inclusive, and development-oriented global economic system. Madam Chair, national efforts alone are not sufficient. The realization of the right to development depends fundamentally on strengthened international cooperation. This includes ensuring fair access to finance, facilitating technology transfer on concessional terms, and enabling equitable market access for developing countries. Bangladesh's own development experience demonstrates what is possible through people-centered policies, sustained investments in social sectors, and a commitment to inclusion. We have made notable progress in poverty reduction, education, healthcare, and women's empowerment. However, like many others, we face mounting challenges: rising borrowing costs, constrained fiscal space, and growing debt pressures amid global economic uncertainty. In this context, reform of the global financial architecture is essential. Enhancing access to affordable and concessional financing, addressing debt sustainability, and promoting innovative financial mechanisms are critical to sustaining development gains. Madam Chair, climate change poses a profound threat to right to development. Countries like Bangladesh, despite minimal historical emissions, are among the most affected. We call for the fulfillment of climate commitments, including scaled-up adaptation finance, effective technology transfer, the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund, and compliance of countries' obligations under international law. These are matters of equity, and responsibility. At the same time, Bangladesh continues to host over 1.3 million forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar. This remains a major humanitarian and development challenge. We call for sustained international support, equitable burden sharing, and a durable solution through the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of the Rohingya to Myanmar. Thank you. Madam Chair, bridging the digital divide is also critical. Without equitable access to digital technologies and infrastructure, new forms of inequality will emerge, further marginalizing the developing countries. Targeted capacity building and inclusive digital cooperation must therefore be prioritized. We also reiterate that unilateral coercive measures undermine development efforts and should be avoided. Finally, the right to development must be integrated across all global frameworks, including finance, trade, and development cooperation. The development of clear indicators will be essential to track progress and ensure accountability. In this regard, we support ongoing efforts toward a legally binding international instrument on the right to development. Madam Chair, in conclusion, Bangladesh remains firmly committed to advancing the right to development for all. We stand ready to work with partners to promote a more just, inclusive, and sustainable global order where development is recognized not as a privilege but as a right. I thank you.


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [33:08]:

Thank you. The next speaker on the list is the distinguished delegate of Nigeria. You have the floor.


Nigeria [33:21]:

Thank you, Madam Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. Nigeria commends the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for convening this important session and appreciate the continued work of the expert mechanism on the right to development. The right to development, as reaffirmed in the United Nations Declaration on the Right to Development, remains a fundamental and inalienable human rights. States have the responsibility to create the necessary conditions for their citizens to attain the highest possible standard of living and live in dignity. For Nigeria, this right is central to national development priorities. Its realization requires a holistic and people-centered approach that integrates economic growth, social inclusion, and respect for human rights. In this regard, Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as a guiding framework for inclusive and sustainable progress. The focus of this session is both timely and relevant. In particular, discussions on the draft International Covenant on the Right to Development present an important opportunity to strengthen the global normative framework. This process must remain member-state-driven, reflect consensus, and respect the principles of sovereignty, national ownership, and non-politicization. In line with this year's theme, Population, Technology, and Research in the Context of Sustainable Development, Nigeria underscores its commitment to leveraging technology and research as key drivers of development. Continued investments are being made in digital innovation and human capital, particularly in sectors such as health and education. To ensure inclusive outcomes. While progress is being made at the national level, this effort must be supported by conducive international environment. Persistent challenges including limited access to financing, technological disparities, and global economic uncertainties continue to constrain development efforts. Nigeria therefore calls for strengthening international cooperation, including enhanced development financing, capacity building, fair trade practices, and the transfer of technology on mutually agreed terms. As deliberations on the draft covenant advance, Nigeria expresses the hope for a balanced and forward-looking outcome. Member states are encouraged to engage constructively and to refrain from introducing language that is not universally agreed within the United Nations system in order to preserve consensus. In conclusion, Madam Chair, Nigeria remains committed to advancing the right to development and to working with all partners to ensure that its benefits are realized by all. I thank you, Madam Chair.


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [36:08]:

Thank you very much. I give the floor to the representative from Morocco. Sir, you have the floor.


Morocco [36:20]:

Thank you, Madam Chair. My delegation wishes to express its sincere appreciation to you and to all distinguished members of the expert mechanism for their dedication, invaluable expertise, and continued contributions to this vital process. My delegation also wishes to acknowledge the efforts of the Chair Rapporteur of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Right to Development for their steadfast engagement in advancing this process. Madam Chair, the right to development is a universal, inalienable, and indivisible right, inseparable from the full spectrum of civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. Morocco firmly believes that these rights must be addressed with equal attention and without hierarchy, ensuring that every individual can access and fully exercise all human rights on an equal footing and without distinction. Madam Chair, Morocco reiterates its unwavering support for the work of the expert mechanism and commends the engagement of the Working Group Chair and all member states in advancing the elaboration of a legally binding instrument for the effective implementation of the right to development. This instrument represents a historic opportunity to translate decades of political commitment into concrete, enforceable obligations. In line with the relevant Human Rights Council resolution, my delegation looks forward to the consideration, negotiation, and subsequent adoption of this instrument by the General Assembly, a step that Morocco considers both necessary and long overdue. Madam Chair, Given the interdependence and indivisibility of all human rights, my delegation calls for unity and solidarity on this matter of the highest importance. The elaboration of these instruments must rise above the traditional divides between North and South. It is a shared responsibility and a collective opportunity to reaffirm our common commitment to human dignity justice and sustainable development for all.

I thank you.


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [38:42]:

Thank you. Now I give the floor to the representative of Pakistan. You have the floor.


Pakistan [38:51]:

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. We align ourselves with the statement delivered by Uganda on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. We appreciate the continued work of the expert mechanism on the right to development and take note of the 13th session taking place at a moment of particular significance. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the adoption by the General Assembly of the Declaration on the Right to Development through Resolution 41/128 of 1986, a landmark affirmation that development is neither charity nor discretion, but an inalienable human right belonging to all peoples. This anniversary must be more than an occasion for commemoration. It should serve as a call for renewed commitment, implementation, and political resolve. Four decades on, the normative clarity of the Declaration stands in stark contrast to the lived realities across much of the developing world. Persistent inequalities, unsustainable debt burdens, climate vulnerability, widening technological divides, and the continued underrepresentation of developing countries in global decision-making processes continue to impede the realization of this right. If the right of— to development is to be meaningful, it must be reflected not only in national policies but also in the structure and functioning of the international system, including the regimes governing finance, trade, debt, and technology. In this regard, The work of the expert mechanism remains highly valuable. By providing thematic expertise, identifying best practices, and advancing operationalization of the right to development, the mechanism plays an important role in bridging the gap between principle and practice. The focus of this session, including on artificial intelligence, peace and security, regional cooperation, Non-Discrimination and Migration is timely and forward-looking, underscoring the need for an integrated, inclusive, and development-centered approach. We wish to underscore in particular the importance of the ongoing efforts towards an International Covenant on the Right to Development. The completion of the draft by the working group chaired by Ambassador Zamir Akram of Pakistan and its transmission to the General Assembly in 2023 mark a significant milestone in the long journey from normative recognition to effective realization of this right. This process comes at a time when the right to development continues to face serious and persistent challenges. The right to development cannot remain only a declaratory principle. It requires stronger legal grounding and more coherent institutional support. Thank you, Mr. President. In this context, the consideration of the draft covenant presents a historic opportunity that should not be missed. A legally binding instrument would not replace the Declaration. Rather, it would build upon it by providing greater legal clarity, strengthen collective commitment, and establishing a framework for implementation, cooperation, and accountability. It would also send an important message that the international community remains committed to placing development at the center of the multilateral agenda. Madam Chair, while the states bear the responsibility for promoting development through inclusive and people-centered policies, the international community and the UN has a central role to play in advancing dialogue, fostering consensus, supporting capacity building, and promoting international cooperation for the realization of right to development. Greater solidarity is also needed to ensure fairer access to finance, technology, trade, and development opportunities, while emerging challenges, including those arising from AI and other new technologies, must be addressed in a manner that prevents new forms of exclusion and ensures that innovation becomes a tool for inclusion rather than division. Madam Chair, the right to development remains one of the most transformative principles of the international human rights framework. Its promise is clear that human dignity must be at the center of development and that the benefits of progress must be shared equitably among all peoples. Pakistan remains firmly committed to the realization of this right and continues to pursue policies aimed at its effective operationalization at the international and national level. In conclusion, as we mark 40 years of the Declaration, Let us ensure that this milestone truly becomes a turning point, bridging the gap between recognition and realization and advancing both the implementation of the Declaration and meaningful progress towards the adoption of the Covenant. I thank you very much.


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [43:53]:

Thank you very much. The next speaker on the list is the distinguished delegate of the Bolivarian Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. You have the floor.


Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) [44:10]:

Muchas gracias, señora presidenta.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela aligns itself with the statement delivered by Uganda on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. We are grateful for the work of the expert mechanism on the right to development. Their work is particularly relevant in the context of the 40th anniversary of the Declaration of Rights to Development, which enshrined the right to development as an inalienable human right focused on the dignity of people and the effective participation of peoples in development processes. Madam Chair, 40 years on from that historic commitment, we need to frankly recognize that we see persistent, profound divides between the normative proclamation of the right to development and its effective implementation. This divide isn't accidental or circumstantial. It responds to historical inequality, persistent asymmetries in the international economic system, and still lacking political will to transform realities, particularly in the Global North. The right to development, we must insist, cannot continue to be interpreted as a mere— Excuse me. programmatic aspiration or a symbol. It is a clear, indivisible human right which imposes tangible obligations at the international and national level. It means that we must ensure an equitable international context based on cooperation and solidarity and respect for international cooperation. We therefore believe that international cooperation is not optional. Rather, it is a legal economic obligation to overcome the obstacles to development as is established in the declaration that was adopted almost 4 decades ago. Madam Chair, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela would like to underscore that there cannot be a serious analysis of the right to development without addressing one of the main contemporary obstacles to its achievement. We're referring to the cruel application of unilateral coercive measures. These measures are contrary to international law and the principles of the U.N. Charter. They gravely affect, in terrelia, the ability of states to implement public policies, to guarantee fundamental rights, and to promote the development of our people. These criminal measures restrict sources of financing, access to technology, to trade, and to essential resources. They worsen health and social protection systems, and they stymie states' abilities to be able to respond to global challenges. Consequently, they are a direct, deliberate attack on the right to development, as well as an affront to multilateralism. For this reason, our country reiterates the appeal to the international community to pronounce itself more clearly, more firmly, and more staunchly on the impact of these measures and demand their full, immediate, and unconditional lifting. Madam Chair, this session provides us with an historic opportunity to advance towards the consolidation of the right to development through the adoption of a legally binding international instrument. After decades of debate and technical consultations, the draft International Covenant on the Right to Development is before the General Assembly for its consideration. We believe that the moment has come to conclude this process without further delay. The adoption of a covenant on this would allow us to establish clear obligations, strengthen international cooperation mechanisms, and grant states and peoples with effective tools to demand the realization of this inalienable human right. In this context, we reiterate once again our firm support for the prompt adoption of this instrument as an essential step to close the gap between political commitment and specific reality. Madam Chair, Thank you, Chair. The right to development also means that we need to address contemporary challenges disproportionately affecting developing countries. These include profound inequalities in right to access to technology, including the new dynamics related to the development of artificial intelligence, which run the risk of reproducing patterns of dependence and exclusion if they are not managed under an approach involving shared participation and equity. At the same time, it's essential to guarantee that development processes are inclusive, non-discriminatory, and people-focused. We should particularly recognize the situation of historically marginalized groups, including migrants. Their exclusion weakens their rights, also social cohesion and sustainable development. At the same time, we cannot continue to see— to overlook the close development links between peace, development, and human rights. Armed conflicts and increased military spending continue to divert essential resources that should be used for the well-being of peoples, this which all gravely undermines the achievement of their human right to development. Madam Chair, in light of all of this, it's essential and urgent to strengthen multilateralism, to expand and boost international cooperation, and to reaffirm the principles of sovereignty equality between states and non-interference in domestic affairs. Only through a fairer, truly democratic and inclusive international order will it be possible to guarantee the full development of all of our peoples. Our country reaffirms in this context its steadfast commitment to ensuring that development is a human-based process that is sustainable and equitable, that respects the diversity of economic, social and political and cultural models and that promotes social justice at the global level. To conclude, we reiterate the unwavering commitment of Venezuela to the promotion and achievement of the right to development. 40 years on— after the declaration, the international community cannot continue to put off its effective implementation. It is time now to act decisively. It is time to overcome structural obstacles, to bring an end to unilateral coercive measures, to strengthen international cooperation, and to once and for all adopt a legally binding instrument that consolidates this inalienable human right. Thank you very much, Madam Chair.


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [50:40]:

Thank you very much. The next speaker on the list is the distinguished delegate of Cuba. You have the floor.


Cuba [51:07]:

Thank you, Madam Vice Chair. Madam Vice Chair, we align ourselves with the statement delivered by Uganda on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, and we'd like to add the following remarks in our national capacity. Cuba reaffirms its unshaking commitment to the declaration— the United Nations Declaration on the Right to Development, whose 40th anniversary we are commemorating this year. We hope that the high-level General Assembly meeting mandated through Resolution 79/170 will contribute to renewing international impetus to promote this human right, which remains inaccessible for the majority of the global population. The current Economic international order remains a structural obstacle to the achievement of this right to development and compromises the attainment of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. In light of this reality, it is urgent to transform international financial architecture to guarantee the effective participation of developing countries in decision-making and to ensure equitable and unconditional access to financing. What is also needed is a comprehensive coordinated approach to address the sovereign debt crisis and to move towards a fairer, more balanced financial system. We should foster international cooperation, including North-South, South-South, and triangular cooperation as a way to achieve a sustainable and inclusive development. Thank you. Likewise, it is urgent to keep to our commitments in official development assistance and to once and for all eliminate unilateral coercive measures which continue to seriously undermine the achievement of the right to development. To that end, we denounce the aggressive escalation by the U.S. government against Cuba, which is causing serious nuisance to our people and is a flagrant violation of the human rights of Cubans, including their right to development. Thank you. The illegal blockade tightened through a criminal siege on fuel supplies is suffocating our economy, is hampering our access to financing, technology, and markets, and has a direct impact on the well-being of the Cuban people. The effects of this blockade are felt through daily shortages, hospital patients at risk, pregnant women going without essential appointments, Children unable to fully complete their studies, public transport practically paralyzed, just to cite a few examples. The blockade is real and it has a disproportionate effect on the most vulnerable sectors of our population. Madam Vice Chair, Cuba supports the UN mechanisms dedicated to promoting the right to development. We recognize the work of the expert mechanism. We are grateful that you have decided to dedicate a meeting to debate the draft International Covenant on the Right to Development. I conclude with a clear call. It is urgent to act. Guaranteeing the right to development means transforming the current international economic relations and eliminating practices standing in the way of achieving this right. Cuba will continue to defend this principle both at the national level but also in our capacity as coordinator of the Working Group on Human Rights of the Non-Aligned Movement.


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [54:40]:

Thank you. Thank you very much. The next speaker on the list is the distinguished delegate of Zimbabwe. You have the floor.


Zimbabwe [54:54]:

Madam Chair, apologies for the moment, we will not take the floor. Thank you.


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [55:02]:

Thank you. Now I give the floor to the representative from the Russian Federation. You have the floor.


Russian Federation [55:18]:

Thank you, Madam Chair. We're happy to welcome to New York members of the expert mechanism on rights to development. The holding of this session of this body in the UN headquarters, where all members of the organization are represented in their entirety, is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about cutting-edge practice in the realization of this right. This is especially relevant given that 4 decades after the adoption of the Declaration, an entire bloc of countries still refuses to acknowledge the standalone nature of the right to development and denies its unique individual and collective nature. However, this attitude is hardly surprising. As is well known, the Declaration defines development as comprehensive economic, social, cultural, and political process aiming to constantly improve the well-being of populations and all people, including via their participation in the distribution of benefits stemming from this right to development. It's also well known that most developed countries demonstrate little interest in increasing the well-being of the people in the developing world, and thus their refusal to recognize the right to development is nothing other than the consequence of neo-colonial thinking. Their unwillingness of former colonial powers to rectify the mistakes of the past when their exploitation of resources of other states led to a yawning gap in sustainable development between the Global South and the Global North is clear. The legal codification of the right to development is a natural reaction to this injustice. Today, this process is in its final stages. Governments have before them already the draft of an international legally binding document. Russia is prepared to effectively contribute to efforts on the Future Pact and its adoption in New York. We call on all states to actively support this process because successfully realizing the right to development is the key to the enjoyment of other categories of human rights. Thank you for your attention.


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [57:38]:

Thank you very much. Now, I give the floor to the representative from Mexico. You have the floor.


Mexico [57:54]:

Muchas gracias. Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Mexico welcomes the holding of the 13th session of the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development in the context of the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development. This commemoration invites us to reaffirm a fundamental idea. The right to development is a right that is not solely limited to economic growth. Rather, it implies a person-centered process geared towards guaranteeing welfare, dignity, and social justice. In this context, Mexico believes that the right to development should be understood as a thread running through public action. Delivering on it means integrating human rights, social justice, and equality within all public policies, both nationally and internationally. Mexico's foreign policy has historically been built on this basis, since the promotion and protection of human rights represents one of the fundamental pillars of our foreign policy. This outlook is reflected in our national development Plan, which places Mexican humanism as the central thread of state action, based under a simple but profound premise, putting people at the heart, particularly those that have been historically left out. This means that this approach is fully aligned with the right to development, seeking to ensure that everyone can exercise their rights on an equal footing and benefit—


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [59:26]:

Thank you.


Mexico [59:26]:

And participate in the benefits of development. Mexico maintains that there can be no development without human rights and that structural inequality remains one of the main obstacles to the achievement of this effect— to the— of the effective realization of this right. In this context, we reaffirm our commitment under the firm belief that there can be no lasting peace or sustainable development without full respect for human rights. Domestically, the right to development in Mexico is mainly visible through the guarantee of economic, social, cultural, and environmental rights. Mexico has committed to making gradual progress in areas such as health, education, decent work, food, and a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [1:00:17]:

Thank you.


Mexico [1:00:18]:

To that end, we've promoted public policies to improve our population's living conditions through social programs, labor policies, and social protection strategies which seek to curb inequalities and boost opportunities. In particular, our welfare programs are central to materializing this vision of social justice. They contribute directly to development to boosting people's capacities, strengthening their autonomy, and guaranteeing minimum material conditions so that they can be fully involved in the economic and social life of the country. Furthermore, the Mexican government's welfare programs don't only address immediate needs, rather they lay the foundations for the exercise of other rights such as the right to health, food, or social participation.


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [1:01:08]:

Thank you.


Mexico [1:01:09]:

These are essential components of the right to development. Social justice is no longer merely an abstract principle. It is becoming a tangible reality. We have indeed improved the quality of life of millions of families and have contributed directly to reducing poverty. In line with all of this, cutting poverty is now at the heart of our public action. Recognizing that poverty limits access to rights and reproduces sexual inequalities, between 2018 and 2024, more than 13 million Mexicans were lifted out of poverty. Poverty indeed shrunk to its lowest rate in the history of the country. The strengthening of the minimum wage and social programs has contributed to improving living conditions, particularly for those most left behind. Mexico has strengthened the links between development, peace, and human rights through our, through our national public security strategy, particularly by focusing on the drivers of violence. This approach is built on the acknowledgment that violence has structural roots associated with inequality, exclusion, and a lack of opportunities. Addressing it, therefore, means ensuring development policies that are human rights-based. In this context, we have taken steps to shrink social gaps, providing access to services, education, decent employment, and welfare programs, particularly in priority areas. Local interventions, rebuilding the social fabric, and community involvement have all begotten more conducive conditions for the exercise of all rights contributing to the achievement of the right to development in complex contexts. In this regard, the heart of our strategy— at the heart of our strategy is the recognition of communities as actors of development. Through dialogue, consultation, and participation mechanisms, people are not seen solely as beneficiaries, rather as co-participants in the design, implementation, and assessment of public policies. This active, free, and meaningful participation is an essential precondition to the right to development in strengthening legitimacy, the effectiveness, and the sustainability of public policies. Finally, key to this vision is forging more equal societies. Mexico has promoted the Care Agenda here as part and parcel of the right to development. This approach contributes to reducing inequalities, strengthening social protection, and progressing towards greater, greater levels of equality. Mexico's experience has shown that the right to development needs a comprehensive approach that coordinates economic, social, and environmental policies with human rights. Furthermore, it confirms that international cooperation, social participation, and institutional and institutional strengthening are all essential to realize this right. We reaffirm our commitment to this end and to building fairer, more inclusive, and sustainable societies where development is truly a right for everyone. Thank you.


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [1:04:38]:

Thank you. The next speaker on the list is the distinguished delegate of Yemen. You have the floor.


Yemen [1:05:00]:

At the outset, we welcome you and the efforts of you, Madam Chair, and the members of the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development, and we commend the efforts made in implementing your mandate. We thank Thank you, Mr. Riyad, from the office of the OHCHR, for his intervention. My delegation associates itself with the statement made by the representative of Uganda on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. Madam Chair, the Republic of Yemen reiterates its firm commitment to the Declaration on the Right to Development, which was adopted more than 3 decades ago as an inalienable human right guaranteeing that every individual and all peoples active participation in development and to contribute to its creation and enjoy its economic, social, and cultural dividends in a manner that places people at the heart of this process and its primary purpose. The complex and intertwined challenges such as ongoing conflicts, food insecurity, and the repercussions of climate change, and the exacerbation of inequalities between calls for reconsideration of the right to development by directing international efforts to address its root causes, in particular the structural imbalances that impede development on all its levels. In this context, we stress the importance of moving towards the adoption of an international legally binding instrument on the right to development to strengthen the legal and institutional framework of this right and ensure that it can transition from the level of political commitments to effective implementation. Madam Chair, the realization of the right to development is no longer an option but an urgent necessity imposed by current global challenges. It requires international partnerships based on shared responsibility and solidarity to enhance the capacity of developing countries, especially LLDCs, to achieve just, inclusive, and sustainable development. In conclusion, the Republic of Yemen reiterates its full commitment to support international efforts aimed at operationalizing the right to development and to work with international partners to achieve tangible results that reflect positively on the lives of peoples and to ensure that fragile states do not lag behind in development. We reiterate the importance of the high-level meeting to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development under the patronage of the United Nations, and we emphasize that this occasion represents an important milestone for renewing the international commitment and pushing for the translation of pledges into concrete actions that will contribute to the effective realization of this right. Thank you, Madam Chair.


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [1:07:59]:

Thank you very much. The next speaker on the list is the distinguished delegate of Indonesia. You have the floor.


Indonesia [1:08:15]:

Thank you, Madam Chair. Indonesia aligns itself with the statement delivered by Uganda on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement and wishes to add The following in our national capacity. Indonesia welcomes the convening of this session and reaffirms its strong commitment and its strong support for the mandate of the expert mechanism on the right to development. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Declaration of the Right to Development, and these milestones provide a timely opportunity to reaffirm our collective commitment to promote and realize the right to development as a fundamental human right, one that is indivisible interdependent, and mutually reinforcing with all other human rights. However, the right to development continues to face serious challenges. Persistent global inequalities, an unjust international system, ongoing conflicts, humanitarian crises, environmental degradation, and the misuse of advanced technologies all place significant pressures on its realization. The right to development should not only remain a concept, but must be realized as concrete rights that place people at the center of development processes. Its realization is a shared responsibility of all nations, requiring strengthened international cooperation, more equitable economic systems and financial architecture, and a supportive global environment. It is imperative that we continue to mainstream the right to development across multilateral processes, including in discussions with the discussion in the international financial architecture, global governance reform, and as well as the future global development agenda. Indonesia therefore supports the ongoing process toward the establishment of the International Covenant on the Right to Development. We view this effort as a manifestation of the global aspiration for equity and justice. Indonesia stands ready to engage constructively in the consideration negotiation, and eventual adoption of the covenant in the General Assembly. A legally binding framework would represent a significant step toward operationalizing this right and strengthening accountability at both national and international level. Chair, at the national level, our constitution guarantees every individual the right to develop themselves through the fulfillment of basic needs to improve their quality of life and to collectively build their community, nation, and country. This constitutional commitment is reflected in our development policies, which integrate the right to development through sustainable development approaches and meaningful public participation, including participatory planning. These approaches have contributed to Indonesia's steady progress in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Thank you. To conclude, Indonesia looks forward to this session as an important platform to further elaborate a holistic and inclusive approach to the right to development. We also seek to deepen engagement with all stakeholders in mainstreaming and integrating this right across policies and practices at all levels. Thank you.


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [1:11:22]:

Thank you very much. Now, I give the floor to the representative from South Africa. You have the floor.


South Africa [1:11:39]:

Thank you, Madam Chair. South Africa aligns itself with the statement delivered by Uganda on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. Madam Chair, this year will mark 40 years since the establishment of the right to development as an international human rights norm. It is articulated in the 10 articles of the Declaration on the Right to The Declaration on the Right to Development. Whilst this is not the genesis of this unique and critical human right, it is importantly the moment that gives its international acceptance and articulation. From its onset, the right to development manages to be both an individual human right as well as a collective one. In fact, the Declaration maintains that development is a comprehensive economic, social, cultural, and political process which aims at the constant improvement of the—


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [1:12:21]:

Thank you.


South Africa [1:12:22]:

Of the well-being of the entire population and of all individuals on the basis of their active, free, and meaningful participation in development and in the fair distribution of benefits resulting therefrom. The Rio Declaration further established a common understanding of the norm by recognizing the right to development as one of its 27 principles and viewed it as a vehicle for equitable development for present and future generations. In addition, the critical recognition of the right to development was also in the inclusion on the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. The outcome of the World Conference on Human Rights that developed the most important declaration on human rights since the Universal Declaration on Human Rights specifically speaks to and elaborates on the right to development. In a very real sense, the right to development places the human being at the center of development. It embodies the belief that development should not be— only be seen in terms of economic growth, but also in terms of the enhancement of human well-being and the realization of an individual's full potential. South Africa views and understands the right to development as a critical human right that underscores the inherent dignity and equality of all people and peoples. Since its early establishment in the Declaration and its foundational inclusion in the Rio and Vienna Declarations, this international human rights norm has been eroded and argued against. The 40 years that have followed have not been a period of greater elaboration on the right, but instead have been characterized by a global pushback from key groups and states that seek to roll back the efforts made to uphold this human right. The reality is that currently the simple recognition of the right to development within negotiated outcomes of UN processes is opposed on the principle of its inclusion, despite being captured in the seminal declarations that have determined our collective understanding of both human rights and sustainable development. As such, the selective application of these two declarations prevents its fulfillment. South Africa maintains that the right to development can serve as an enabling right that addresses any economic inequalities that create the global inequalities and that are plainly observable and would be a key piece of the puzzle in eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions.


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [1:14:33]:

Thank you.


South Africa [1:14:34]:

Furthermore, the right to development seeks to address inequality amongst people, but in doing so needs to be cognizant of the selfsame inequality that exists amongst states. This is a difficult barrier to overcome, as the inequalities amongst states are not merely political or economic, they are structural and perpetual. The realization of the right to development would be a critical element in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. In order to achieve this, We need to uphold the VDPA and the Rio Declaration in their truest intention: to overcome inequality and actualize the conditions under which human dignity is equally enjoyed. We, like many member states, both developed and developing, recognize the right— recognizes the right to development and advocates for the effective and practical implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Development and for the codification of this right, which would link the two rubrics of civil and political with economic, social, and cultural rights. The integral development of the individual is at the centre of the right to development, and it determines how the state and the individual interact to ensure the wellbeing of all people within countries and, importantly, within the global community. We can thus consider the Declaration on the Right to Development and its various follow-up mechanisms as being critical in empowering individuals and nations to actively participate in shaping policies, decisions, and initiatives that affect their lives ensuring the benefits of development are equitably shared. In essence, upholding this right is a commitment to social justice, participatory democracy, and the betterment of humanity as a whole. Madam Chair, South Africa has always pursued a policy of economic development that places the people at its core, where economic upliftment must also be necessarily accompanied by the promotion, protection, and fulfillment of their human rights. However, human rights needs an enabling environment which is created and sustained through a commitment to the principles of the right to development. Current data reflects a widening wealth gap between developing countries and developing countries due to the inherently exploitative system that ignores the right to development as a human right. This right recognized that equitable sharing of resources amongst countries and a fair and just distribution amongst the people of the world is based not just on human rights, it is an expression of Ubuntu. It implies that nations, particularly those that have been historically marginalized or exploited, have the right to forge their developmental path without external interferences that negate their best interests, whilst at the same time individuals have the right to be the beneficiaries of a fair and equitable society in which an individual is able to enjoy the full scope of human rights. Ultimately, the right to development seeks to change our traditional approach. This will be explored this week through the thematic discussions, which we will seek to actively participate in. We are excited to advance the conversation on the linkages between the Durban Declaration and the right to development, as well as the key role of regional human rights mechanisms on fulfilling the right to development. Most importantly, we are excited to advance the discussion on the draft International Covenant that South Africa advocates for its swift adoption of and entry into force. Finally, Madam Chair, we need to uphold the importance of the right to development as an imperative that reminds us that the human person is the central subject of development and through Ubuntu would be a means to achieve the first article of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, that all human beings are born equal in rights and dignity. I thank you.


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [1:18:04]:

Thank you.

Thank you very much. Now I give the floor to the representative from Zimbabwe. You have the floor.


Zimbabwe [1:18:19]:

Thank you, Madam Chair, and apologies for the technical challenge. My delegation welcomes the convening of this session, which is central to advancing the development aspirations of the in the Global South, and we commend the work that is being done by the expert mechanism in advancing the right to development. Zimbabwe aligns itself with the statement delivered by Uganda on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, and we share the following reflections in our national capacity. Madam Chair, this year marks a significant milestone as we commemorate the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration on the Right Development, we are reminded of a fundamental truth: that development is not a privilege, it is a right. The Declaration affirms that every person is entitled to participate in, contribute, and benefit from economic, social, cultural, and political development. It recognizes development as a powerful driver of dignity, opportunity, and transformation. In this regard, the right to development must be upheld with the same commitment and agency as all other human rights. At its core, the Declaration establishes a clear balance. It places responsibility on states to create enabling conditions at the national level while calling for enhanced international cooperation. This approach remains relevant today as it was 40 years ago. For Zimbabwe, the right to development is a foundational precept which my government consistently upholds. It is rooted in our history and reflected in policies that promote access to land, resources, and economic opportunities. In the exercise of our sovereignty over the country's mineral resources, the government of Zimbabwe has taken deliberate steps to promote value addition and industrialization. This demonstrates our commitment to ensure that our resources generate jobs, build industries, and create lasting value for our citizens. Thank you. Our national vision of becoming an upper-middle-income society by 2030 is therefore inseparable from the realization of the right to development. Madam Chair, at the international level, we welcome the growing recognition of R2D in regional frameworks and global instruments. We also underscore its centrality in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Looking ahead, Zimbabwe underscores the importance of operationalizing the right to development. In this regard, my delegation recommends the continued leadership of the Non-Aligned Movement on this issue. We also support the call for the General Assembly to advance negotiations towards a legally binding instrument on the right to development, which is the International Covenant on the Right to Development. This instrument will provide a stronger foundation for collective action and accountability. My delegation looks forward to the convening of the high-level segment to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Declaration later this year. We also align with the proposal by Nam for the convening of a high-level international conference on the right to development. These events should serve as a call to renew our commitments and ensure the full realization of the right to development. I thank you.


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [1:21:32]:

Thank you.

Thank you very much. We have exhausted the list of speakers of member states. Before going to other stakeholders, I would like to ask if any other delegate from member states would like to take the floor. No? Please. China?


Speaker 50 [1:22:00]:

China.


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [1:22:02]:

China?


Speaker 52 [1:22:02]:

China.


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [1:22:03]:

So I give the floor to the representative from China. You have the floor.


China [1:22:11]:

Chair, development embodies survival and hope and represents dignity and rights. From its very founding, the United Nations enshrined the promotion of development as one of the purposes of the Charter. 40 years ago, the Declaration on the Right to Development affirmed development as an inalienable human right and made an important contribution to the advancement of human society. Over the years, states have pursued sustained exploration and practice to advance development and protect human rights, and promoting human rights through development has become international consensus. Peoples of all countries share common concerns about global development challenges and common aspirations for the advancement of human rights. In September 2021, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Development Initiative, calling on all parties to build consensus, take joint action, and focus on development cooperation with a view to restoring development to the center of the international agenda and effectively safeguarding the equal right to development of all peoples. Last September, President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Governance Initiative, offering Chinese wisdom to guide global human rights governance. We call on the international community to enhance solidarity and mutual trust, uphold development as a priority, and work together to implement the Global Development Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative so as to inject new momentum into the advancement of human rights worldwide. First, we should uphold a people-centered approach and fully leverage the role of development in the enjoyment of all human rights. Only when people in all countries enjoy a good life can security be ensured and human rights have a solid foundation. We should give greater prominence to the right to development in the multilateral human rights agenda, reaffirm our commitment to the 2030 Agenda and continue to advance cooperation in key areas such as poverty reduction, food, education, and health. We should ensure people's equal right to participate in development. So that progress in human rights becomes visible, tangible, and accessible to all. Second, we should uphold multilateralism and jointly create an enabling international environment for development. Unilateralism and protectionism are self-defeating. Unilateral coercive measures gravely violate human rights, while decoupling, supply disruption, and bloc confrontation only heighten risks. We should uphold equity and justice, promote more balanced and inclusive development partnerships, address unbalanced and inadequate development both between and within countries, and advance the building of a community with a shared future for global development. Third, we should be action-oriented and enhance the effectiveness of global human rights governance. Emerging technologies such as AI and big data are injecting new momentum into global development. While also posing new challenges to human rights governance. We should conduct in-depth discussions on how digital technologies can be harnessed to safeguard the right to development, effectively address global challenges such as climate change, public health crises, and the digital divide, and contribute to tackling discrimination and inequality. Chair. Obstacles to the realization of the right to development pose a major challenge to global human rights governance. Some countries still refuse to recognize the right to development as an inalienable and fundamental human right, while multilateral human rights institutions have long devoted severely insufficient resources to this right. During its 80th session, the General Assembly once again adopted the Resolution on the Right to Development, reaffirming the importance of its implementation and reiterating its decision to convene a high-level meeting during the general debate of UNGA 81 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development. China welcomes the development and hopes that all parties will seize this opportunity to give greater priority to the right to development and translate the commitments contained in the declaration into concrete actions. China will continue to engage actively in international cooperation and support the elaboration of a legally binding international instrument. China welcomes the role played by the Human Rights Council Intergovernmental Working Group on the Right to Development, the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development, and the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development, and stands ready to continue constructive dialogue and cooperation with these mechanisms. We call on the Human Rights Council and all other human— UN human rights mechanisms to give greater attention to the right to development and promote the mainstreaming across the UN system. Thank you.


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [1:27:02]:

Thank you very much. Any other delegate from member state would like to take the floor? No? So we move to To the other stakeholders. With the other stakeholders. We have a statement from—


Speaker 56 [1:27:33]:

From APG23.


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [1:27:37]:

APG23 by video message. Now the Secretariat to kindly play the video message. One moment, please. No, no, it's not playing. But because the strings are not there. We are having some technical problems.


Speaker 58 [1:29:17]:

Bear with us.


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [1:29:54]:

So any other stakeholder? I would like to take the floor. I see none. So I would like now to give the floor to my fellow experts to reply or comment on the statements that were just delivered. Isabelle, Isabelle, you have the floor.


EMRTD · Expert · Isabelle Duhon [1:30:38]:

So, je vais parler en français.

I'll speak in French. Firstly, welcome to you all. I'm delighted to see so many of you here today. Because I think that the occasion of this 40th anniversary is an extremely important time for the right to development. I don't want to repeat each of your statements, but I would like to react to some of them. I firstly, I think that what you said overall does bear out some great expectations from you with regard to the right to development, but also— and deep understanding of the right to development. It's not just a nice idealistic principle. It is a concept that has a very precise content and you all highlighted that. You also stressed to what extent the right to development in today's time where we see social inequalities even more profoundly, particularly due to the crises we've faced over the last few years. We've seen backsliding across the board in terms of the implementation of the SDGs. And at the same time, we've seen that the right to development is a part of these, or rather a tool, a framework through which we can address these various inequalities. Some of you also noted the efforts that have been made within your countries. I'm thinking, for instance, of Mexico, that went into some detail as to the various measures that you've taken to partially address the issues. Obviously, every member states are imperfect— every member state is imperfect in how they can address human rights, obviously. But I think it's highlight— important to highlight where efforts have been made and where they've borne fruit. I think that this 40th anniversary also allows us try to forge consensus. There are different opportunities to do that. You pointed to that. Firstly, there'll be a discussion on the occasion of this 40th anniversary at the General Assembly in September this year. That's an opportunity for each of you and of us to try to forge consensus where we see that there is none, because we also know that we— Yes. Or rather you all have different restrictions but also different understandings, particularly on the issue of individual and collective rights. But I think that this is something that we can overcome, provided that we can firstly listen to each other, then try to understand each other, and then try to pinpoint what brings us together in terms of implementing this right. We still have open issues on the issue on the text of the covenant, which is legally binding, which will come on— fall onto the table of the General Assembly. I don't know exactly when, but that's your— in your wheelhouse. I think that it's possible for each of the member states and groups of member states to try to find landing points and points where we can cooperate. And rest assured, the expert Expert Mechanism obviously tries to work to build that as well. It's not just for you to try to— it's not just for us to present studies, but also try to suggest areas where we can come together, where we can make progress, including in terms of the power dynamics within the General Assembly to ensure that the right to development is an inalienable right that should lead in reality to a greater consensus around this idea. And I think this anniversary gives us the opportunity for that. I'm an outgoing member of the expert mechanism, but there are also new incoming members who will take up the baton. And I think that we do have an excellent mechanism that they will use to try to forge commitments around certain areas because there are some member states that didn't take the floor here either because they're not here or they weren't available today. But we know that we need to try to forge this consensus. We know that it's not impossible provided that we listen to each other and come together. I wish you all the best for the rest of your work on the right to development which at the end of the day we are here to contribute as well but it falls finally to member states to take local decisions, but also decisions at the General Assembly as members of this General Assembly. Thank you.


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [1:35:27]:

Thank you very much, Isabelle. Mijir, you have the floor.


EMRTD · Expert · Mijir Kanade [1:35:32]:

Thank you, Madam Chair, and it's indeed a pleasure to be here with all the delegations and to listen to the opening statements. A number of delegations reminded us of the hesitation by some countries towards the recognition of the collective dimensions of the right to development in addition to the individual dimension of the right to development. And those of the delegates who have been here longer, for a longer period of time, would probably look at me and think of me like a broken record, but it— because it's been 6 years now. That every year we respond to this aspect, highlighting the normative justifications for the right to development being both an individual and a collective right. And I may only refer the delegates to Article 1 that is common to the ICCPR and the ICESCR, which recognizes the right of all peoples to freely pursue their economic, social, and cultural development. So from a normative start— point of view, it is not even an argument that we do not recognize the collective dimensions of the right to development. This argument is simply not justified in international law. Um, we do understand as an expert mechanism concerns that have been raised in the past— that recognition of collective dimensions of the right to development may permit countries to violate individual rights in the name of protecting the larger public interest. It's an understandable argument. We do understand this. There have been examples where such attempts have been made. However, fear of abuse of a right can never be a tenable reason to justify the, or to deny the existence of that right. Many individual rights can also be abused to deny other individual rights. We don't therefore say or jump to a conclusion that the individual right doesn't exist. So it is far more fruitful therefore to figure out how to reconcile tensions between collective rights and individual rights should they arise in reality. Thank you. As members of the expert mechanism, we have previously done that. We have produced a thematic study highlighting the individual dimensions and the collective dimensions of the right to development and provided very precise guidance that is born from international jurisprudence on how to reconcile tensions between collective rights and individual rights should they arise. This is a fairly common problem that arises. We saw this during COVID-19. COVID-19. Where individual rights to freedom of movement were restricted in the larger public interest of public health. International law, particularly the two existing covenants, already provide us enough guidance on how to reconcile these two dimensions of collective and individual, and I'd refer delegates again to our study that we submitted last year, both to the Human Rights Council and to the General Assembly. I was very happy to also hear the support from many delegations to the legally binding instrument and the process for its adoption here in New York. As some of you may know, I chaired the expert drafting group for elaborating that draft covenant, and we spent about 4 years leading the negotiations in Geneva, the legal aspects of the legal negotiations in Geneva, assisting Ambassador Zamir Akram. From Pakistan, who's the chair rapporteur of the working group. On Thursday, we will have the opportunity to go deeper into the text of that draft covenant, whereby I may be able to clarify some doubts that arise in some delegations, but also explain the process that led to the final text as has been forwarded here by the Human Rights Council for its adoption here in New York so that some of the concerns that may have arisen among delegates are ironed out during this session. And I know that the Non-Aligned Movement will be— has proposed an international conference for its consideration and adoption, ideally this year, because this year, as has been pointed out, also marks the— 60th anniversary. 40th anniversary of the 1986 Declaration, and there would be no better way of celebrating that than with the adoption of the legally binding instrument.


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [1:40:24]:

Thank you.

Thank you very much, Emir. I would like now to take the floor in Spanish.

Quisiera— I'd like to I'd like to touch on 4 points. I'd like to firstly thank all of you for your statements. They truly do enrich the work of the mechanism. Firstly, it's very gratifying to be able to hear about how aware all of you are of the particular nature of the right to development. Pointed to indivisibility, its inalienable nature, the double, dual character, the double dimension of the right to development and its cross-cutting nature. So all of us here, states, UN agencies, other UN mechanisms, civil society organizations, academia, all need to take stock of the power of this right to be able to promote the recognition of it and its implementation at the domestic and international level. So firstly, it's important that we all be on the same level in terms of the nature of the right to development. And this moves on to the second point. This allows us to point to the obligations that we as States all have under this right. Many of the states pointed to the obligations incumbent on every state at the national level, but also at the international level in terms of cooperation, solidarity, and everything that is particularly relevant for our states at the moment, particularly at this— in this multi-crisis period, as you noted. Many of you also flagged the importance of these good practices that are being shared. Isabel mentioned this. Mexico shared some public policies. We also heard about Indonesia's constitution, the initiative in China. These are all great practices and we urgently need you to send them to us so that we can feed them into our thematic reports or within also the specific sessions that we have dedicated to this. We need this specific information because this mechanism's mandate involves highlighting good practices within states in terms of the right to development in addition to developing this right in conceptual terms. And then as the last part, final point, I want to promise— sorry, commit all of you to your initiatives and celebrate this 40th anniversary on the right to development. We need to do this strategically, looking overall at how we really can materialize this right. And I've heard about that in all of these statements, almost all of these statements, the draft covenant to the right to development. This should be the third UN pillar to the right to development together with the covenant on civil and political rights. And we should also be organizing more specific events not only to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the declaration but also to raise awareness to— To the right to development. Truly ensure that this right to development becomes a reality. Thank you very much, and thank you very much to all of my colleagues. So, so, we have a few technical issues to screen the videos. We had a video from APG23 and from another member of the mechanism, Bonnie Bajo, but unfortunately it seems that we won't be able to screen those videos. Would anybody else like to take the floor? No?

South Africa?


Speaker 64 [1:45:00]:

No?


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [1:45:00]:

No? Okay.


Speaker 66 [1:45:06]:

Please, Isabelle.


EMRTD · Expert · Isabelle Duhon [1:45:13]:

Yes, so we're coming to the end of this general debate and the presentation of your perspectives, and we'd like to thank you all. Before we close, I would just like to I kindly suggest that you all actively participate in the forthcoming sessions. I'm particularly thinking of that on the regional mechanisms, but also, as Vladimir said, on rereading the elements of the legally binding treaty and the presentation of the work on artificial intelligence. Thank you. And generative AI. I also think that's a very important issue. So thank you in advance for your active participation because I think that's also an opportunity for you to be able to develop your argumentation and your instruments as member states, both for any steps that you might take at the UN, but also nationally, and also in forthcoming celebrations for the 40th anniversary I will be leading a panel discussion that will consolidate the link between the 40th anniversary of the right to development and the anniversary of the Durban Declaration, which is an extremely important declaration that focuses on one specific point, which is all forms of discrimination. And I think that both of them are intrinsically interlinked and that we should be focusing on both of them at this anniversary if we really want to reflect on the right to development. So thank you. Thank you for your active involvement tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.


EMRTD · Vice-Chair [1:46:55]:

So we have exhausted our list of speakers under Agenda Item 3. We will resume tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. with Agenda Item 4A, consideration of thematic So this— the meeting is adjourned. Thank you.


Speaker 69 [1:47:13]:

Thank you.