اللجنة الثالثة، الجلسة العامة الخامسة والثلاثون – الجمعية العامة، الدورة 81
الجمعية العامة
Date: 30 October 2026
Language: English
Transcript: https://transcripts.un.org/ar/ga/c3/81/35?lang=en
Transcripts available through this tool are created by using automatic speech recognition and are not official records nor official documents of the United Nations. Official records and official documents are available on the Official Document System of the United Nations.

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Third Committee · Chair [14:04]:

Good morning. The 35th meeting of the Third Committee at the 81st session of the General Assembly is called to order. I now invite the Committee to continue its consideration for agenda item 70, entitled Promotion and protection of human rights, and its sub-items A to D. We will now proceed to hold a combined briefing on the right to development. The Committee will hear three introductory presentations before proceeding to a joint interactive dialogue, during which delegations may make comments or pose questions to any or all three presenters. I would like to welcome our distinguished speakers: the Co-Chair Rapporteur of the Working Group on the Right to Development, Ms. Zamira Kram; the Chair of the Expert Mechanism to the Right to Development, Ms. Juana María Ibáñez Rivas; and the Special Rapporteur on the right to development, Ms. Suria Deva. Participants wishing to make comments and pose questions to the speaker are invited to press their microphone buttons within the next 10 minutes, after which the list will be closed. The time limit for each speaker will be announced before the floor is given to the first speaker. Thank you for your cooperation. I now invite the Chair Rapporteur of the Working Group on the Right to Development to make an introductory statement. Mr. Akram, you have the floor.


UN · Chair-Rapporteur, Working Group on the Right to Development [15:27]:

Thank you, Madam Chair. Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. I am honored to address you in my capacity as Chair Rapporteur of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Right to Development and present an oral update on its last session. and my intersectional activities. At the outset, it is worth recalling that 40 years ago, this Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Right to Development. The overwhelming majority of 146 countries voted in favor. This was 20 years after the right to development was first referred to at the United Nations, and after six years of intensive work, in developing the draft declaration. The Working Group on the Right to Development, which I have the honour to chair, was established in 1998 as a follow-up mechanism to the Declaration on the Right to Development, with the mandate to monitor and review progress made in the promotion and implementation of the right to development, to analyse obstacles to its full enjoyment, and to provide recommendations thereon. Since its inception, the Working Group engaged in several processes and collaborated with other mechanisms set up to promote and realize the right to development. Initially, it was part of a twin mechanism, together with the then Independent Expert on the Right to Development, who was later replaced by a High-Level Task Force on the Right to Development. Now it closely collaborates with the Special Rapporteur on the right to development and the expert mechanism on the right to development. Substantively, the working group has engaged on ways for the practical implementation of the right to development, and in this context, considered various right to development criteria and sub-criteria, standards for implementation of the right to development, and most importantly and most recently, the drafting of an international covenant on the right to development, which is pending consideration, negotiation, and subsequent adoption by this Assembly. Ladies and gentlemen, after 40 years, it is high time to make the right to development a reality for all and move from a declaration to a legally binding covenant as advocated by a large majority of Member States. Madam Chair, the 27th session of the Working Group took place in Geneva from 18 to 21 May this year. Despite the unsustainable budgetary situation and inability to use remote conference services, the Working Group managed in its last session to discuss some critical areas pending on its agenda, in a reduced session of four working days. The financial constraints made this impossible, however, to engage with experts from a wide cross-section and regions. It held an interactive dialogue with Mr. Surya Deva, the Special Rapporteur on the right to development, and Ms. Juana Maria Ibáñez Rivas, the Chair of the Expert Mechanism on the right to development. We dedicated one meeting to the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development, with a focus on regional perspectives on the right to development. And we continued to discuss issues that have proved difficult for some members while considering the draft International Covenant on the Right to Development, with a view to overcoming these divergent opinions. As such, we considered the duty to cooperate for the right to development, the right to peace, or the prohibition of the use of force, and the possible contribution of disarmament to the realization of development. We deepened our discussions on coercive measures, in particular unilateral coercive measures, and on illicit financial flows and the obstacles to their non-repatriation, with a focus on tax-related illicit financial flows. Finally, we also considered the area of climate justice. The working group adopted its recommendations by consensus. It recommended, among others, that: 1. The High Commissioner take the necessary measures to provide a balanced and visible allocation of resources and pay due attention to the visibility and effective implementation and mainstreaming of the right to development by systematically identifying and undertaking tangible projects dedicated to that right. Two, the Working Group continued to convene interactive dialogues with relevant groups aimed at addressing the divergent views expressed in the Working Group. Three, the Working Group convened interactive dialogues with relevant experts in current trends on official development assistance. financing for development and imbalances in the international financial architecture, including international financial institutions, and assessing their impacts on the realization for all human rights, including the right to development. Four, the working group convene interactive dialogues and best practices in international cooperation for the promotion of the right to development in which North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation initiatives are presented; and 5. That the High Commissioner include in his next report on the right to development an analysis of existing practices and the challenges and obstacles to the realization of that right, including unilateral coercive measures, the non-repatriation of funds of illicit origin and the impact of the debt crisis and on how to overcome them. A majority of speakers also once again supported and called for the early adoption of the draft International Covenant on the Right to Development. Madam Chair, I presented my report to the 27th session of the Working Group to the Human Rights Council in September and delivered a statement at the 13th and 14th sessions of the expert mechanisms on the right to development as well. In its last resolution on the right to development, the Council took note of the report of the Working Group on its 27th session and requested the Office of the High Commissioner to consider implementing the recommendations concerning the Office made by the Working Group in its report. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate my call for determined action to elevate the right to development to the status of a binding covenant at par with other human rights instruments. Any delay would derail and dilute this process. This draft covenant, which has taken decades of effort to finalize by the working group since it was set up, should not be allowed to fall by the wayside. I further recommend to allocate the financial resources necessary to enable the working group to enable its mandate fully, and until that happens, to enable remote participation to ensure the widest possible participation and engagement with experts from all regions. I remain fully committed to contribute to this process. I thank you for your attention.


Third Committee · Chair [23:17]:

I thank the co-reporter of the Working Group on the Right to Development. I now invite the Chair of the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development to make an introductory statement. Ms. Ibáñez Rivas, you have the floor.


UN · Chair, Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development [23:30]:

Thank you very much. Madam Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, it's an honor to address the Third Committee in my capacity as the Chair of the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development. I have just arrived from Geneva, where we held our 14th session dedicated to marking the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development. For the Expert Mechanism, this anniversary is much more than an occasion for commemoration. It's an opportunity to renew political commitment to this right and to translate the principles set out in 1986 into specific actions and effective implementation for today and future. Today, I am pleased to present our annual report. It covers our activities from 1st June 2025 to 31st May 2026 and summarizes our 12 at 30 session. During this period, the composition of the mechanism also changed. Following appointments by the Human Rights Council since 1st May 2026, it has comprised members from China, Peru, Romania, South Africa, and the United States of America serving in their personal capacity. In September this year, we present the annual report and two thematic studies to the Human Rights Council. We appreciate that in its recent resolution on the right to development, the council welcomed this contribution. This recognition encourages us to continue our work, renewing commitment. Distinguished delegates, our 12th commission took place in Geneva in October 2025. Participants reaffirmed the right to development as a fundamental and inalienable human rights. They identify persistent global inequalities, climate vulnerabilities, and unfair international economic structures among the obstacles to its realization and call for reform and the global financial architecture, equitable climate finance, fair trade, and technology transfer. The overwhelming majority of delegations support the early adoption of a legally binding instrument on the right to development, although some reservation were expressed regarding the draft. At that session, we had thematic dialogues on public participation, the impact of trade tariffs, the impact of artificial intelligence on creative industries and cultural rights, and the role of civil society at the grassroots level. And we discussed our study on climate finance. This discussion led us to conclude that participation is both a legal principle and a structural element of the right to development. That a fair rules-based, non-discriminatory, and inclusive multilateral trading system is essential for developing at least developed countries, and that civil society organizations are essential partners in inclusive people-centered development. In our study on climate finance, vulnerability, and responsibility, we note the recent advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice and Inter-American Court of Human Rights have clarified legal obligation regarding climate finance. Drawing on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respected capabilities, we identify innovative sources of financial for a just transition. These include high integrity carbon markets with face national strategies and equitable benefit sharing with indigenous people and local communities. They also include clean cooking solution, critical minerals, and the repatriation of illicit financial flows. We underlie, however, that beneficiary is necessary but not sufficient. Carbon markets, critical mineral extraction, and other just transition investment must respect the rights of indigenous people to their lands, territories, and resources, and must not proceed without their free, prior, and informed consent. Finally, we recommend South-South and regional cooperation to strengthen the position of least developed countries in carbon markets. Distinguished delegates, our 13th session took place in New York in April 2026. State called for a stronger international cooperation, fair global economic governance, and reform of the international financial architecture, and for addressing the burdens, limited policy space, and the digital divide. At that session, we held thematic discussion on the role of regional mechanisms on no discrimination and equality, and on the participation and inclusion of migrants, as well as a chapter by chapter discussion of the draft international covenant on the right to development. We conclude that regional mechanism play an important role in translating international norm into concrete action at the regional, national, and local levels. That discrimination in all its form remain a significant obstacle to the realization of the right to development, and that migrants must be recognized as right holders and as participant in contributors to and beneficiaries of development. We also discuss our study on artificial intelligence, cultural rights, and the right to development. The study recognized the potential of artificial intelligence to broaden access to creativity tools, preserve cultural heritage, and promote linguistic diversity. To realize this potential, it proposed that the governance of AI be grounded in international human rights law, a guide by the right to development. We recommend that a state integrate mandatory human rights and algorithm impact assessment into national strategies on artificial intelligence, invest in open, inclusive, and multilingual data infrastructures, and implement the principle of free, prior, and informed consent with respect to indigenous people, cultural data consistent with the right of indigenous people to maintain control, protect, and develop their heritage, traditional knowledge, languages, and cultural expressions. We also call on business enterprise to conduct human rights due diligence and ensure transparency regarding training data. Finally, we discuss our draft study on peace and security and the right to development, which will be finalized in 2027. We conclude that peace and security are prerequisites for the realization of the right to development, which in turn contributes to consolidating peace, and that women and youth must be recognized as agents of peace. Excellencies, as we mark the 40th anniversary of the declaration, we reiterate the importance of continued effort towards the adoption of the draft International Covenant on the Right to Development. The draft covenant seeks to clarify and operationalize this right while ensuring complementary with existing human rights instrument and preserving the equal status of all human rights. It has the potential to strengthen implementation, accountability, coherence, and international cooperation. We call for a constructive and inclusive process to that end. Looking ahead, we will finalize our study on peace and security in 2026. In our composition, we are also considering future thematic studies on illicit financial flows, an adequate standard of living and the right to development, the right of indigenous people and self-determined development, and mandatory human rights due diligence and the right to development, several of which we explore at our 14th session. The expert mechanism stands ready to continue with close collaboration with Member States, United Nations entities, civil society, and the private sector to advance the realization of these rights for all individuals and people. Thank you very much.


Third Committee · Chair [31:53]:

I thank the Chair of the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development. I now invite the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development to make an introductory statement. Mr. Dehva, you have the floor.


UN · Special Rapporteur on the right to development [32:04]:

Thank you very much, Madam Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. I'm honored to present my report on Peace for Development, Roadmap for a Peace Economy. However, before presenting my report, let me unconditionally condemn the US government sanctions against the Special Rapporteur on occupied Palestinian territory, Ms. Francesca Albanese, as well as the International Criminal Court and its judges. It is unacceptable that the host country to the UN has denied visa to at least three human rights experts during this month. These actions violate international law and undermine the integrity of the UN human rights system. I call on all States believing in the rule of law to counter this lawlessness by taking political, diplomatic, and legal means at different levels. Madam Chair, my report highlights the mutually reinforcing nexus between peace, human rights, development, gender equality, and the environment. It also exposes the political economy and the neo-colonial roots of conflicts which disrupt peace. Conflicts undermine the realization of right to development as well as other human rights. At the same time, the right to development also provides concrete pathways to prevent conflicts and sustain peace. In my report, I outline a roadmap for a peace economy comprising foundational, preventive, institutional, and deterrent components. The central message of my report is very simple. States and companies should move away from funding war economies to investing in a peace economy. A peace economy looks after both people and the planet. It seeks to create a dignified life for everyone, everywhere, within planetary boundaries. A peace economy would also eliminate structural injustices and barriers to the realization of the right to development. But what is peace? Peace is not merely the absence of physical violence. The positive dimension of peace requires absence of structural violence and social justice. Positive peace demands creating conditions in which human beings can flourish. Distinguished delegates, conflicts are costly, not merely in terms of the human cost and the damage to the environment, but also in financial terms. Yet in 2025, the world has witnessed the highest number of state-based conflicts since the Second World War. This is despite the global military expenditures rising to about USD 2.9 trillion dollars in last year. It is thus clear to me that more weapons do not mean more peace. Conflicts have unfortunately become a profitable business for some states and companies. Through unlawful invasions, some states are expanding their territorial boundaries, while others are grabbing the natural resources, including critical minerals, of invaded countries. Similarly, many companies in sectors such as arms and weapons, technology, natural resources, and construction are profiting from conflicts and wars. Madam Chair, like other human rights, the right to development is affected by conflicts in multiple ways, and my report highlights that. However, my report also points out how the right to development provides concrete pathways to prevent conflicts and sustain peace. For example, if the benefits of economic development are distributed fairly, there will be no discontent among people left behind. If we can eliminate colonization, foreign domination, occupation and aggression, it will reduce conflict significantly. Moreover, international cooperation, disarmament, and the active, free and meaningful participation of people, especially youth and women, in peace processes are vital to sustain peace. In my report, I outline a roadmap for a peace economy with four complementary components. The first component is foundational. which requires addressing the root causes and drivers of conflicts so that various triggers of conflicts are reduced. The second component is preventive, which envisions taking proactive measures to prevent the escalation of conflicts. The third component is institutional, which requires creating a fair and inclusive institutional architecture at various levels to support peace. The fourth component is deterrent, which demands establishing effective mechanisms to hold accountable actors, how so powerful, who indulge in unlawful behavior. To achieve a peace economy, a state should not rely merely on weapons. Rather, they must invest in dignified life for all, reduce inequalities, address the political economy of conflicts, promote human rights based good governance, strengthen early warning systems and preventive diplomacy, reinvigorate disarmament, build trust, multilateralism, and a culture of peace, reform the Security Council, establish robust dispute settlement mechanism, revitalize the peace architecture of the UN, focus on collective security, and strengthen accountability for international crimes. Madam Chair, let me conclude by saying that peace is a precondition to achieving inclusive and sustainable development. Peace is possible, and it is the best guarantee for national security. Sustaining peace is also far less expensive than funding war economies. Therefore, states, companies, and other actors should invest in a peace economy to leave no one behind. Thank you very much.


Third Committee · Chair [38:30]:

I thank the Special Rapporteur on the right to development. I will now open the floor for questions or comments to any or all presenters. As per past practice, I ask delegations to limit their comments to five minutes. I thank you for your kind cooperation. I now give the floor to a distinguished representative of Cuba, to be followed by Namibia and Morocco. Cuba, you have the floor.


Cuba · Group of Friends in Defence of the UN Charter [38:54]:

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. The Group of Friends in Defence of the UN Charter wishes to express its gratitude to Ambassador Zamir Akram, Mrs. Juana María Ibáñez, and Mr. Suryadeva for their reports and valuable statements on a matter which is of great importance for our group and for the Global South in general. We live in a world which shows gaps between developed and developing countries, the international orders unjust and democratic and exclusionary, and exploits the vast natural resources of the global south and continues the concentration of wealth in a few hands. This reality is further aggravated for the approaches that seek to impose cultural, economic, social, and political conditions on independent nations that have sovereignly chosen their own paths and development models. Such practices have a detrimental impact on the realization of the right to development. One of the most illustrative examples of this is the imposition of unilateral of course of measures which not only violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, as well as other norms of international law, but also poses an obstacle to the implementation of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development. and they are a deliberate attack on the right to development of over one-third of humanity. We urge States to lift all UCMs in order to ensure, among others, both the realization of the right to development and the timely achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Madam Chair, it is essential to promote and protect all human rights without distinction of levels or categories. The rights to development, which we consider a universal, indivisible, and inalienable human right, is one of the rights of peoples whose realization and enjoyment is most urgent. Since the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development in 1986, no doubt there have been undeniable advances, but much remains to be done to guarantee the full realization of this inalienable right. In this context, we urge an international covenant on the right to development as a legally binding document on the basis of the submission made by the Human Rights Council. By capitalizing on the momentum provided by the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration, adoption of the Covenant would be a historic step toward global asymmetry rectification for all countries to develop free from coercion and ensuring that international cooperation is based on equity, solidarity, and shared responsibility. We reaffirm that the realization of the right to development must be grounded in respect for the principles of international law governing friendly relations and cooperation among states, in line with the UN Charter. At last, with firmly committed to our common mission to ensure that development is fully recognized as a universal, indivisible, and inalienable human right for all, our Group of Friends concludes by stressing its determination to support with a sense of priority and urgency each and every endeavor toward this end. I now add some remarks in my national capacity. As the General Assembly of the UN recognized 40 years ago, the right to development is inalienable, universal, and continues to be an aspiration for most countries of the South. This reality is of concern, because this is a synthetic right, and it is essential for other rights. The criminal blockade of the United States against Cuba is incompatible with the right to development and must cease. One of the main limitations of the current international law of human rights is precisely the absence of an international legally binding instrument to operationalize the right to development. We support the prompt adoption by the General Assembly of an international covenant on the right to development. We must place that right at the same level as all human rights, with concrete obligations at the international level. Lastly, we praise the work done by the three mechanisms on the right to development. We are grateful for their presentations, and we support their relevant mandates. Thank you.


Third Committee · Chair [43:30]:

I now give the floor to Namibia.


Namibia · Africa Group [43:34]:

Thank you, Chair. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the African Group. At the outset, the African Group would like to extend its utmost appreciation for the works and reports of the Secretary-General, the Special Rapporteur, the Expert Mechanism, and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights under this agenda item. While the matter concerning different dimension of development was being debated in the 1970s within the UN, a Senegalese jurist, Kevin Baye first proposed the idea of the right to development, and it was first recognized by the African Charter on Human Peoples' Rights. We commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development during the high-level week of the 81st session of the UNGA. The group believes that the declaration remains a blueprint and a point of reference in addressing inequalities within and between developed and developing countries. This landmark piece emphasizes that the right to development as an inalienable human right and that equality of opportunity for development. Africa considers the right to development as a key pillar in the achievement of human rights and the fundamental freedoms of its people, and realization of the SDGs through an equitable value-based partnership that prioritizes interest of developing countries in general and African agency in particular. The right has its own value addition that helps to bridge the seemingly politically motivated ideological gaps in the conception of human rights and foster more balanced relations. Chair, the African Group reaffirms that civil and political rights cannot be disassociated from economic, social, and cultural rights in their conception and universality. and that the realization of economic, social, and cultural rights is a guarantee for the enjoyment of civil and political rights. We emphasize the need for the meaningful operationalization of the right to development in international development cooperation practices and ensure their effectiveness as we approach the expiration of the 2030 Agenda. In conclusion, the Group attaches paramount importance to the Declaration as an instrument to rectify global structural inequalities and the need for meaningful participation of the Global South in international economic governance. Hence, we look forward to the translation of the Declaration into a binding international instrument. I thank you.


Third Committee · Chair [46:15]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Namibia. I now give the floor to Morocco, to be followed by Uganda, Pakistan, and Cameroon. Morocco, you have the floor.


Morocco [46:23]:

Thank you, Madam Chair. We thank the Special Rapporteur on the right to development for his report. We also thank the expert mechanism on the right to development and the chair rapporteur on the working group for their presentations. Madam Chair, this year marks the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development. For decades on, its central insight remains fully relevant: peace, development, and human rights are not separate aspirations. They are mutually reinforcing conditions of human dignity. The data before us offers a timely reflection on this nexus, and its findings give us all a pause. The highest number of state-based conflicts recorded since 1946, the global military expenditures of nearly $2.9 trillion, official development assistance in historic decline, three out of four least developed countries are affected by conflict or post-conflict situations. For Africa, which recorded the highest number of conflicts in 2025, these are not abstractions, but lived realities. Morocco shares the view that lasting peace cannot be separated from inclusive development or from the fair distribution of its benefits, where people feel left behind, frustration grows, and with it, vulnerability and instability. In this spirit, the Kingdom launched the National Initiative for Human Development in 2005 under the leadership of His Majesty the King Mohammed VI. This initiative aims to reduce poverty and territorial disparities. This effort has been deepened through advanced regionalization, which brings decision-making closer to citizens. It has also been deepened through the new development model, which places human capital and participation at its core. Madam Chair, the right to development also has an essential international dimension, because no country can realize it alone. Morocco has therefore made South-South and triangular cooperation, particularly with African partners, a pillar of its foreign policy. The Royal Initiative to facilitate access of Sahel states to the Atlantic Ocean reflects a simple conviction: shared connectivity can turn common vulnerabilities into shared prosperity. We also believe that peace and development are strengthened by the meaningful participation of women and youth. They also depend on a robust UN peacekeeping architecture, to which Morocco has contributed for more than six decades through peacekeeping operations. Madam Chair, as we mark this anniversary, Morocco reaffirms its readiness to work constructively with all partners to give concrete effect to the right to development. And this means probably three things. strengthened international cooperation, a fair international financial structure, and faithful implementation of the Pact for the Future, the Sevilla Commitment, and the Doha Political Declaration. Thank you very much.


Third Committee · Chair [49:13]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Morocco. I now give floor to Uganda.


Uganda · NAM [49:19]:

Thank you, Madam Chair. It's an honor for the Republic of Uganda to take the floor on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, especially on a subject to which we have historically attached particular importance, bearing in mind the fact that the Declaration on the Right to Development was promoted by our movement. At the outset, we would like to express our appreciation for the briefings of His Excellency Ambassador Zamir Akram, Chair Rapporteur of the Working Group on the Right to Development; Ms. Joana Maria Ibáñez Rivas, Chair of the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development; and Mr. Surya Deva, Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development. Over three decades have passed since 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 a central subject of development and should be the active participant and beneficiary of the right to development. Yet for ensuring its full enjoyment and realization, profound reforms of the international economic structure and the international financial architecture, including the creation of economic and social conditions that are favorable to developing countries are still needed. Madam Chair, during the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement held in January 2024 in Kampala, Republic of Uganda, The heads of state and government reaffirmed that all human rights, including the right to development, are universal, inalienable, indivisible, interdependent, and interrelated, and that human rights issues must be addressed within the global context through a constructive, non-confrontational, non-politicized, and non-selective dialogue-based approach in a fair and equal manner, with objectivity, respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference, in the internal affairs of states, impartiality, non-selectivity, and transparency as the guiding principles, taking into account the political, historical, social, religious, and cultural particularities of each country. In addition, at the time, 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 human rights and fundamental freedoms, as it was highlighted in the high-level meeting of the General Assembly on 23 September 2026 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Right to Development. Madam Chair, in this regard, the Movement urged the UN human rights machinery to ensure the operationalization of the right to development as a priority, including through the elaboration of a covenant on the right to development by the relevant machinery, taking into account the recommendations of relevant initiatives. To conclude, the Non-Aligned Movement reiterates its unequivocal commitment to the right to development in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. I thank you, Madam Chair.


Third Committee · Chair [52:14]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Uganda. I now give the floor to Pakistan, to be followed by Cameroon, Malaysia, and European Union. Pakistan, you have the floor.


Pakistan [52:23]:

Thank you, Madam Chair. Pakistan thanks the Chair Rapporteur, His Excellency Ambassador Zameer Akram, Chair of the Expert Mechanism on Right to Development, Dr. Juana Maria Rivas, and the Special Rapporteur, Mr. Surya Deva, for their briefings and reports. Madam Chair, 40 years after the Declaration on the Right to Development, the gap between recognition and realization remains profound. Extreme poverty, inequalities, unsustainable debt, and climate vulnerability continue to deny millions a life of dignity. Realizing this inalienable right requires effective national policies and an enabling international environment underpinned by international cooperation. We welcome these special rapporteurs' call to move from war economies towards a peace economy. Resources must support education, health, livelihoods, and sustainable development. Lasting peace requires addressing injustice, foreign occupation, and the denial of self-determination. Peoples under occupation must be able to determine their future and control their natural resources. We also welcome emphasis on participation. People must have a meaningful voice in shaping their development priorities and share equitably in their benefits. Developing countries must likewise have greater representation in international economic decision-making. The Working Group's deliberations on unilateral coercive measures, illicit financial flows, and climate justice highlight obstacles requiring collective action. Measures that undermine development must be addressed. Stronger international tax cooperation and action against illicit financial flows are essential to protecting domestic resources. Developing countries also need affordable financing, meaningful debt relief, and equitable access to technology. Climate finance must support vulnerable countries without deepening their indebtedness. Madam Chair, Pakistan strongly supports the early adoption by the General Assembly of the draft International Covenant on the Right to Development. A legally binding instrument would strengthen implementation, clarify responsibilities, and reinforce international cooperation. In this regard, we commend Ambassador Zameer Akhter's dedicated leadership and perseverance. The patient stewardship of a complex intergovernmental process and substantive contribution to advancing the draft covenant deserve particular recognition. The efforts have helped translate long-standing aspirations into a concrete framework for us to take action now. After years of deliberation, further delay would not be tenable. We urge all delegations to work towards the Covenant's adoption. The Declaration's 40th anniversary must deliver tangible progress towards realizing the right to development for all. I thank you.


Third Committee · Chair [55:47]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Pakistan. I now give the floor to Cameroon.


Cameroon [55:54]:

Merci, Madame la Présidente.

Thank you, Madam Chair. My delegation would like to welcome the Rapporteur on the Working Group on Right to Development, the Head of the Expert Mechanism, and the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development, and we thank them for their introductory statement. We fully associate ourselves with the statement made on behalf of the Non-Aligned and the African Group, respectively, by the distinguished representatives of Uganda and Namibia. Forty years after the declaration, the right to development remains a promise which has not been fulfilled for millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa. We reaffirm the full support of Cameroon of making this into an individual and collective right. It's universal, interdependent, independent, linked to all human rights, and its promotion is a shared responsibility of all states. For my country, the political will needs to be translated into legal reality now. Therefore, we call upon, we call for the immediate adoption of a document on the right to development, a legally binding document. And this is not just a political necessary, it's an economic necessity for developing nations.

I have two questions to the Special Rapporteur on the right to development. First, considering the continued resistance from certain delegations regarding extraterritorial obligations, what specific legal consensus-building mechanism do you recommend to accelerate the adoption of the covenant during this General Assembly session? Second, How can your mandate assist developing states like Cameroon in leveraging the draft covenants provisions to challenge protectionist global trade and finance policies that actively hinder our right to development?

I thank you.


Third Committee · Chair [58:04]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Cameroon. I now give the floor to Malaysia, to be followed by European Union, Russian Federation, Peru, Spain.


Malaysia [58:15]:

Thank you, Chair. Malaysia thanks the briefers for their presentation. Malaysia reaffirms that the right to development is a universal and inalienable human right. Development must enable all people to participate in, contribute to, and benefit from economic, social, cultural, and political progress. Malaysia believes that peace and development must advance together. Conflict destroys lives, weakens institutions, and diverts resources away from essential services. At the same time, poverty, inequality, and exclusion can deepen tension and undermine peace. We must therefore invest in prevention, inclusive institutions, and equitable development, rather than rely solely on responses after conflicts occur. At the national level, Malaysia Madani Economic Framework and the 13th Malaysian Plan 2026-2030 place people's well-being, inclusive growth, and sustainability at the centre of development. Malaysia is committed to expanding opportunities, strengthening social protection, and ensuring that the benefits of economic progress reach all communities. At the regional level, Malaysia advanced the ASEAN Declaration on Promoting the Right to Development and the Right to Peace towards Realising Inclusive and Sustainable Development during its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025. This reflects our belief that regional cooperation, dialogue, and shared prosperity are essential to sustaining peace. Internationally, Malaysia stresses that developing countries need fair access to development finance, technology and capacity building. We also support stronger international cooperation and constructive engagement on the draft International Covenant on the Right to Development. Mr. Chair, Malaysia would welcome the Special Rapporteur’s views on how developing countries, particularly those facing fiscal constraints and competing development priorities, prioritise and operationalise the proposed roadmap for a peace economy? What role could international cooperation play in supporting these efforts? I thank you.


Third Committee · Chair [1:00:44]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Malaysia. I now give the floor to the European Union.


EU · EU [1:00:50]:

Thank you. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union and its member states. We thank the speakers for their presentations. We fully agree on the importance of the mutually reinforcing nexus between peace, human rights, development, gender equality, and the environment outlined in the Special Rapporteur's report. We underline our long-standing commitment to the right to development, which, as an integral part of the universal human rights framework, must be realized in full consistency with the universality, indivisibility, interrelation, interdependence, and mutually reinforcing nature of all human rights, ensuring that civil, cultural, economic, political, and social rights are advanced with equal urgency. Its realization requires placing human beings at the center and ensure that active, free, and meaningful participation. We are also fully committed to implementing the 2030 Agenda, which is our collective roadmap in this regard, and the Seville Commitment, which we are working to translate into concrete action, in particular by improving access to financing for development. 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. This remains at the center of the EU's international partnerships, as evidenced by the fact that the EU and its member states are the world's leading provider of official development assistance, accounting for almost half of all global ODA last year. The EU is working alongside partner countries in developing resilient economies. aligned with the SDGs, and through its global gateway strategy, promotes investment in infrastructure, green energy, health, transport, trade, education, and research for sustainable development around the world. We are committed to ensuring that these projects uphold international human rights norms and standards on the ground. In the context of growing challenges to the rules-based international order, it is of utmost importance that approaches to realizing the right to development are grounded in international human rights law and reflect the diversity of views expressed by UN member states. This must also apply to any future negotiation process on a potential legally binding instrument, as any such instrument cannot be effective without broad support. We consider that the existing human rights treaties, mechanisms, and bodies provide a solid foundation to address the interlinkages between the right to development and other human rights. The EU will continue to constructively engage with all partners to effectively realize the right to development. Mr. Special Rapporteur, in line with the CAVI commitment, how can we most effectively close the SDG financing gap through innovative approaches, mobilizing public and private resources, while ensuring development effectiveness and leaving no one behind? I thank you.


Third Committee · Chair [1:04:22]:

I thank the distinguished representative of European Union. I now give the floor to Russian Federation.


Russian Federation [1:04:32]:

Madam Chair, we welcome Mr. Akram, Ms. Ibáñez Rivas, and Mr. Devo at the meeting today. This year, we are commemorating the 40th anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Right to Development. And in this regard, the Russian institutions of higher learning organized roundtables and seminars. On the 4th of December, the date the declaration was passed, the Russian Patrice Lumumba's People Friendship University will hold an international scientific and practical conference, and we invite all those who are like-minded to participate in the conference. Madam Chen, the collective West today is putting forward the false theme according to which the states claiming the right to development have to first ensure the realization of civil and political rights for their people, and to do this in the neoliberal version of it. We reject such an approach. There can be no hierarchy amongst human rights. Human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent, and interconnected, and they should not become an instrument for blackmail and political manipulations. In this context, what needs to be paid special attention is another very important anniversary, the 25th Durban Declaration and Programme of Action anniversary. Their goals are directly related to the right to development, because the new colonial practices of all democracies, including the introduction of illegal unilateral restrictions, block the economic development of the Global South. A good example of an alternative format for international interaction here was the third Russia-Africa Summit just concluded in Moscow. Its outcomes showed that the genuine implementation of the right to development can be possible through equitable partnership, but not through sanctions or an imposed dictate. I thank you.


Third Committee · Chair [1:06:22]:

Distinguished representative of Russian Federation, I now give the floor to Spain, to be followed by Ireland, China, and Venezuela.


Spain [1:06:32]:

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Spain supports the statement made by the European Union and is thankful for all the presenters on the right to development in a particularly complex context. We share the concern expressed with regard to the persistence, the increase, and the worsening of armed conflicts in the world and their consequences for all of the civilian population. However, we wish to recall that while global military continue to increase and cooperation for development decreases, Spain is committed to devoting 0.7% of its gross national income to ODA by 2030. In 2025, the investment in this area was more than 4.2 billion euros, an increase of 13% with regard to the previous year. Madam Chair, we agree with the Special Rapporteur that the right to development is a practical tool to prevent conflict, and we value its proposal to leave behind war economies and to move toward peace economies. For us, the right to development is an integral part of the universal framework of human rights and must exist in full coherence with the principles of universality, indivisibility, interdependence, and interrelationship of all human rights, the promotion of inclusive institutions, the reduction of inequalities. strengthening social cohesion, or the equitable access to opportunities directly contribute to building more peaceful, fair, and resilient societies. Thus, as reflected in the Seville commitment, we continue to defend an effective multilateral system and an international financial architecture which is more inclusive. In this regard, the AECID are cooperating agency plays an important role in programs and plans to strengthen capacities and promote the sustainable development from a human perspective, human rights perspective throughout the world. Spain reiterates its availability to continue to work with all states, the United Nations, civil society, and other relevant partners to promote shared solutions for global challenges which could not be cannot be faced alone. You may continue to count on our firm support. Distinguished presenters, in a context of increased military expenditures and reductions in development assistance, how can we strengthen the will of states to fulfill their commitments to international cooperation? Thank you.


Third Committee · Chair [1:09:29]:

The distinguished representative of Spain, I now give the floor to Ireland.


Ireland [1:09:35]:

Thank you, Chair. Ireland aligns with the EU statement and thanks the briefers for their reports. Since the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development 40 years ago, we have made remarkable progress. The number of people living in extreme poverty has fallen from 2.6 billion to 826 million, and the under-five mortality rate has dropped to half its 2000 level. Yet today those gains are under threat as economic instability, climate shocks, and growing inequality are slowing progress, risk reversing decades of hard-won achievements. This has stark consequences, particularly for those already furthest behind. The right to development cannot be realized without the commitment to respect, protect and fulfill human rights, which are universal, indivisible and mutually reinforcing. They must remain at the center of our efforts and should never be subordinated to short-term political or economic considerations. To achieve further progress, we must remain committed to a human rights-based and human-centric approach to development. Chair, the right to development can guide our response to digital transformation and artificial intelligence. These technologies have enormous potential to expand opportunity and support sustainable development. Yet access to these benefits remains uneven, particularly for women and those furthest behind. Appropriate safeguards are needed to ensure technology does not erode human rights. Special Rapporteurs, how can the international community better ensure that the benefits of development, particularly in the context of increasing technological change, reach those furthest behind? First, I thank you.


Third Committee · Chair [1:11:11]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Ireland. I now give the floor to China, to be followed by Venezuela, Algeria, Ethiopia. China, you have the floor.


China [1:11:21]:

Madam Chair, China welcomes the reports by experts of mechanisms related to the right to development. The right to development is an inalienable human right. Forty years after the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development, the international community has made progress in promoting the implementation of the right to development. Yet, amid a changing and turbulent international landscape, progress in implementing the 2030 Agenda has significantly lagged behind. The development divide between the North and South continues to widen, and global development remains confronted with severe challenges. China has consistently incorporated the advancement of human rights into its overall national development strategy and continuously broadened channels for the orderly participation of all groups in development. Adhering to a people-centered philosophy and practicing whole-process people's democracy, China has implemented five successive national human rights action plans, ensuring public participation throughout the entire development decision-making process and safeguarding the equal participation of all ethnic groups in national and grassroots governance. By relying on its people, China won the battle against extreme poverty and continues to expand public services in employment, education, and healthcare so that the benefits of development are shared by all. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the Global Development Initiative (GDI) proposed by President Xi Jinping. China advocates reforming and improving the global governance system, ensuring the equal participation of developing countries, and helping all countries enhance their capacity for independent development through the GDI. China stands ready to work with all countries to advance the implementation of the GDI, strengthen development cooperation, share development opportunities, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. Thank you, Madam Chair.


Third Committee · Chair [1:13:17]:

I thank the distinguished representative of China. I now give the floor to Venezuela.


Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) [1:13:26]:

Thank you, Madam Chair. Venezuela is grateful for the reports, submitted to the 40th anniversary of the Declaration of 1986, which embodied development as an inalienable human right based on the dignity of individuals and the effective participation of peoples. We reaffirm that the right to development is a universal, indivisible, and inalienable human right. on an equal footing with other human rights. Its full realization calls for overcoming the asymmetries of the international economic system through cooperation, solidarity, and respect for international law. Venezuela wishes to share the new political moment of openness, cooperation, and international relations in our country. The administration of President Delcy Rodriguez is promoting a process of deep structural reforms for the state to strengthen its institutions and consolidate a rebirth in all aspects of national life, which is orderly, institutional, and inclusive. This process is especially important after the destruction caused by the earthquakes of 24 June 2026, which caused thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of homeless. Our national reconstruction is part of our right to development, and we would like to have technical and financial cooperation to support our recovery. Venezuela reiterates its call to put an end to unilateral coercive measures, since they limit access to financing, technology, and essential resources needed for building, and they are an obstacle to the right to development. Their end is essential so that processes like ours move forward in more just and equitable conditions. We value the fact that the Experts' Mechanism has provided for a study. Madam Chair, Venezuela reiterates its support for the prompt adoption of an international covenant on the right to development, which is legally binding, which will make it possible to establish clear obligations and strengthen international cooperation. In conclusion, Venezuela reaffirms its willingness to be open to dialogue and cooperation, and its conviction that only multilateralism and solidarity among peoples will guarantee the full enjoyment of the right to development. We reiterate our availability to work constructively with the working group, the special rapporteur, and the expert mechanism. Thank you.


Third Committee · Chair [1:16:18]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Venezuela. I now give the floor to Algeria, to be followed by Ethiopia, United Republic of Tanzania.


Algeria [1:16:28]:

Thank you, Madam Chair. We would like to thank the distinguished briefers for their remarks. The right to development is an inalienable human right and a fundamental condition for achieving social justice and sustainable development. 40 years after the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development, foreign occupation, inequalities, and unsustainable debt continue to hinder the development prospects of many countries. Algeria stresses that the right to development is inseparable from the right of peoples to self-determination and permanent sovereignty over their natural resources. No people can achieve genuine development without the freedom to determine its own future. We also call for stronger international cooperation, fairer economic and financial arrangements, increased development financing, and technology transfer. while ensuring that developing countries have a meaningful role in global decision-making. Madam Chair, we welcome the recommendations on transitioning from war economies to peace economies. Resources should be directed towards development, education, health, and social protection. In this regard, we would like to ask the Special Rapporteur What concrete measures can ensure that the transition towards peace economies addresses the structural inequalities and guarantees developing countries the means to achieve their right to development? Finally, we support efforts to strengthen the international legal framework on the right to development, including through a legally binding instrument, and we look forward for its prompt adoption. I thank you.


Third Committee · Chair [1:18:10]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Algeria. I now give the floor to Ethiopia.


Ethiopia [1:18:17]:

Thank you, Madam Chair. My delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by Namibia on behalf of the African Group and by Uganda on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. My delegation would like to thank the mandate holders for their respective reports and their insightful presentation. The reports offer a comprehensive appraisal of progress, gaps, and emerging challenges in the realization of this right. We are of the view that the Declaration on the Right to Development and the draft Covenant embodies integration of development and human rights, rather than adjudicating them as a parallel track. The right to development as a fundamental human and people's right is deeply rooted in African history and development trajectory. In the same vein, our constitution clearly recognizes the right to development as enshrined in both the Declaration and the Banjul Charter. The right to development is a cornerstone of our national development agenda. Madam Chair, Ethiopia particularly emphasizes the need to rectify global structural inequalities in international economic governance. We also call on the international community to move beyond the rhetoric of international cooperation and financing for development to sincerely address the impediments of development. In this regard, it is crucial to commit to culture of peace, address inequalities, reform international financial institutions and accord due recognition to the gravest crimes of slavery, slave trade, and colonialism, and truly uphold common but differentiated responsibilities on climate justice and alleviate debt burden. With this understanding, states, particularly those that have been historically sidelined or exploited, have the right to forge their developmental path without external interference that negate their best interests. Madam Chair, it is with a mix of regret and glimmer of hope that we acknowledge the past to translating the declaration into a binding international instrument that took four decades and yet appears to recede. This raises legitimate concern by developing countries when these commitments are deferred now and again, particularly on persistent challenges of our time. As a follow-up, Madam Chair, I would like to ask the views of the distinguished briefers. with regard to the ongoing efforts to crystallize the Declaration on the Right to Development into a legally binding international covenant, and what concrete steps are needed to ensure that this process reflects the priorities of developing countries to pursue their own development pathway? Thank you.


Third Committee · Chair [1:21:04]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Ethiopia. I now give the floor to United Republic of Tanzania, to be followed by Egypt and Nigeria.


United Republic of Tanzania [1:21:20]:

Thank you, Chair.

Tanzania aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the African Group.

Tanzania welcomes the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Declaration of the Right to Development.

Held on the margins of the High-Level Week in September 2026. We reaffirm that the right to development is a universal and inalienable human right and an integral component of the full realization of all human rights. Its realization requires the full enjoyment of civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. For Tanzania, development must remain people-centered, inclusive, and equitable, with meaningful participation in decision-making, and particular attention to the needs of women, youth, and other groups in vulnerable situations. Our commitment is reflected in the implementation of Tanzania Development Vision 2050, which seeks to build a prosperous, inclusive, and self-reliant nation. Tanzania underscores that the right to development must translate in tangible improvements in people's lives and be meaningfully reflected in international cooperation and development financing. In this regard, Tanzania supports the adoption of a legally binding international covenant on the right to development to ensure the promotion and effective implementation of this fundamental right. I thank you.


Third Committee · Chair [1:22:48]:

I thank the distinguished representative of the United Republic of Tanzania. I now give the floor to Egypt.


Egypt [1:22:56]:

Thank you very much, Madam Chair, for giving my delegation the floor. Madam Chair, Egypt aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Non-Aligned Movement and thanks the mandate holders for their presentations. Madam Chair, the right to development remains central to Egypt's vision of a just and equitable international order. 40 years after the adoption of the Declaration, its realization continues to face persistent inequalities and structural imbalances in the international economic system. Egypt affirms that the right to development is an inalienable human right, requiring genuine international cooperation, solidarity, and reform of the international financial architecture including addressing debt burdens and ensuring equitable access to financing and technology. We stress that peace and development are mutually reinforcing. Armed conflicts and foreign occupation undermine the right to development and divert vital resources from development. In this regard, the continued Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territory remains a major obstacle to the Palestinian people's inalienable right to self-determination and development. Ending the occupation is essential to realizing these rights. Egypt reiterates its support for a legally binding international instrument on the right to development and welcomes the high-level meeting commemorating the declaration's 40th anniversary. I thank you, Madam Chair.


Third Committee · Chair [1:24:27]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Egypt. I now give the floor to Nigeria, to be followed by Bangladesh, Brazil, Islamic Republic of Iran.


Nigeria [1:24:36]:

Thank you, Madam Chair. Nigeria aligns with the statement delivered on behalf of Africa Group and that of the Non-Aligned Movement. We thank our briefers for their reports and their continued work. Forty years after the Declaration on the Right to Development was adopted, its full realization remains a challenge. Nigeria reaffirms the right of every person and all peoples to participate in, contribute to, and benefit from development. requiring sustained investment in education, healthcare, decent work, and basic services. Peace, security, development, and human rights are mutually reinforcing. Armed conflict erodes development gains, weakens institution, and diverts resources from essential services. Sustaining peace requires addressing poverty, exclusion, and inequality alongside conflict resolution and security. This understanding guides Nigeria's response to the effect of insurgency. Through the North East Development Commission, Nigeria pursues reconstruction, rehabilitation, and development in affected communities, with an emphasis on restoring infrastructure, basic services, and livelihood. These measures are complemented by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution's work on early warning and response. Nigeria welcomes the focus on trade barriers, public participation, and new technologies. Fairer trade, technology access, and stronger productive capacity are essential to developing countries' priorities. Nigeria also calls for greater cooperation against terrorist financing, illicit arms flows, and natural resource exploitation that finances conflict. Nigeria is expanding access to education and skills development. The Nigeria Education Loan Fund provides eligible public tertiary students with interest-free loans for institutional charges and upkeep, aiming to reduce financial barriers and strengthen young people's contribution to national development. Lasting results require a supportive international environment. Debt burdens and illicit financial flows constrain development resources. Nigeria calls for fairer trade rules, affordable development financing, technology transfer, the return of illicitly acquired assets, and an effective voice for developing countries in international economic decisions. Support for conflict prevention and post-conflict recovery must respect national ownership and strengthen national capacity. On the declarations of a 40th anniversary, stronger cooperation in these areas will advance its implementation and ensure all peoples benefit from development. Now to our briefers. How can the three mechanisms better support developing countries in implementing their recommendations and advancing the right to development, particularly amid security challenges and resource constraints? I thank you.


Third Committee · Chair [1:27:42]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Nigeria. I now give floor to Bangladesh.


Bangladesh [1:27:50]:

Thank you, Madam Chair. Bangladesh thanks the chair of the expert mechanism, the chair rapporteur of the working group, and the special rapporteur for presenting their important reports. We fully support your mandates. We align with the statement delivered by Uganda on behalf of NAM. As we mark the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development, Bangladesh reaffirms that right to development is an inalienable human right.

It puts people at the center of progress.

Yet for millions, poverty, exclusion, and inequality continue to deny dignity and opportunity. With only four years left to achieve the 2030 agenda, progress remains significantly off track. Poverty and inequality remain major barriers. Climate change is reversing our hard-earned gains, especially in vulnerable countries. Armed conflicts, debt burdens, shrinking development finance, protectionism, and technological divides are widening gaps between and within countries. We echo the concerns raised in the report. We need an equitable, inclusive financial system that works for all. Bangladesh has made steady progress in poverty reduction, health, education, and women's empowerment, but national actions alone are not enough. To protect our hard-won gains, we need robust and meaningful international cooperation. Developing countries, especially LDCs and graduating LDCs, need affordable and accessible finance, technology transfer, and fair market access. We welcome the expert mechanisms focused on fair trade, climate finance, public participation, and digital inclusion. We must bridge the digital divide so technology reduces inequality. Madam Chair, finally, we support a legally binding international instrument on the right to development. To the briefers, we would like to ask how can the international community prevent the rising global military spending and shortage of development assistance from further destroying the right to development in countries facing heavy date and prolonged crisis? Thank you.


Third Committee · Chair [1:29:56]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Bangladesh. I now give the floor to Brazil, to be followed by Islamic Republic of Iran, Nicaragua, and Qatar.


Brazil [1:30:05]:

Thank you, Madam Chair. Brazil thanks the Chair Rapporteur of the Working Group, the Chair of the Expert Mechanism, and the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development for their briefings. We especially thank Special Rapporteur Surya Deva for his report and assessment on the relationship between peace and development. Brazil reaffirms its commitment to the right to development, which is firmly grounded in the principles of international solidarity, sovereign equality, multilateral cooperation, and the indivisibility of all human rights. We also welcome the report's recognition that peace, development, and human rights are mutually reinforcing. Poverty, inequality, discrimination, and exclusion are among the structural drivers of conflict. Addressing these challenges requires placing our peoples at the center of development policies, combating racism and structural discrimination, including through reparatory justice, promoting free and meaningful participation in decision-making, and ensuring the equitable distribution of economic opportunities. Brazil's experience, particularly through social protection policies and initiatives such as the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, demonstrates that fighting hunger and inequality is an investment in human dignity and lasting peace. We appreciate the report's emphasis on inequalities between countries and the structural barriers faced by developing nations, including unsustainable debt burdens and unequal access to financing, as well as, in some cases, colonization and occupation. A peace economy demands a more equitable global economy. This requires reforming international financial governance, tackling illicit financial flows and tax avoidance, as well as safeguarding developing countries' policy space. Brazil also remains committed to advancing a legally binding instrument on the right to development through constructive and inclusive negotiations. Finally, we welcome the proposed roadmap for shifting priorities from economies of conflict towards sustainable development. Mr. Special Rapporteur, your report highlights the importance of preventive diplomacy and reforming international institutions to sustain peace. In your view, how can the reform of the United Nations Security Council strengthen preventive diplomacy and contribute to the realization of the right to development? I thank you.


Third Committee · Chair [1:32:46]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Brazil. I now give the floor to Islamic Republic of Iran.


Iran (Islamic Republic of) [1:32:53]:

Thank you, Madam Chair. We thank the Special Rapporteur on the right to development for addressing the highly significant issue of the impact of armed conflicts on the realization of the right to development. It should be noted that although ongoing wars and armed conflicts in various parts of the world have hindered the realization of this right or delayed development processes, this issue has yet to receive comprehensive analysis. War and armed conflict constitute some of the most significant obstacles to the realization of the right to development. Development, contrary to a purely economic understanding, is a comprehensive and multidimensional process encompassing the economic, social, and cultural dimensions of human life. The realization of the right to development requires a comprehensive approach that, alongside economic and social policies, takes into account the prevention of armed conflicts, the maintenance of international peace and security, the protection of human rights, and the provision of reparation for war-related damage and reconstruction of war-damaged infrastructure. During the military aggression carried out by the United States and the Zionist regime against the Islamic Republic of Iran in 2025 and late February this year, in violation of peremptory norms of international law, as well as international human rights law and international humanitarian law, vital infrastructure was directly and deliberately targeted. These attacks, some of which were launched from the territories of a number of our neighboring countries in the Persian Gulf region, were aimed not only at destroying the physical foundations of development, but also at undermining the human capacity essential to the realization of the right to development. The targets included schools, universities, scientific and research centres, hospitals, food production facilities, transport networks, including bridges, roads, ports ports and airports, customs facilities, pharmaceutical and vaccine production centers, and even cultural and historical sites, such as palaces and museums. Moreover, the attacks extended beyond physical infrastructure to human resources, with students, researchers and prominent members of the scientific community deliberately targeted and assassinated. One of the most catastrophic examples of such attacks, as highlighted in paragraph 36 of the Special Rapporteur’s report, was the double-tap strike carried out by the United States against Sajjara Tayyiba Primary School in Minab, which claimed the lives of at least 168 schoolchildren. Such attacks inflict irreversible harm upon children and undermine the very foundations of sustainable development. This pattern of destruction extends even further. Paragraph 46 of the report details the widespread devastation inflicted upon Iran’s schools, hospitals, agricultural sector, and cultural heritage sites by the bombing campaign carried out by the United States and the Zionist regime. These are not merely losses of physical infrastructure and property; they constitute systematic violations of the rights to education, health, food, and culture, with long-lasting consequences that will impede the development of future generations. We demand that the United States be held accountable for all violations of international law, provide meaningful reparations to the victims, and engage in effective international cooperation to reconstruct civilian infrastructure and restore the foundations of development. The right to development is fundamentally incompatible with acts of aggression and systematic destruction. To safeguard this right, the international community must ensure lasting peace, uphold the principles of international law, and bring an end to the prevailing culture of impunity. Thank you.


Third Committee · Chair [1:36:42]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Islamic Republic of Iran. I now give the floor to Nicaragua, to be followed by Qatar, Indonesia, Zimbabwe.


Nicaragua [1:36:52]:

Thank you, Madam Chair. We are grateful to Mr. Samir Akram, to Ms. Juana María Ivániz, and Mr. Suryadeva for their contributions to the promotion of the right to development. Nicaragua maintains that the right to development is a fundamental human right; it is inalienable. and it belongs to all peoples. It is an essential condition to achieve more just societies with dignity and solidarity. It allows us to advance beyond poverty and create societies where families can live with a possibility of progress. 40th anniversary of this declaration, we reiterate that its full realization requires eliminating structural inequalities which continue to affect the global South, and to change international economic relationships which perpetuate poverty and exclusion. We firmly condemn the imposition of the unjust UCMs, economic blockades, and financial restrictions, which are an obstacle to the development of our peoples and put an end to essential resources. They violate our rights. We call for their immediate and unconditional end. Our rights must be based on the principles of the UN Charter, in particular the sovereign equality of states, free self-determination of peoples, and non-interference in internal affairs. We also advocate an international economic order which is more just, equitable, and multipolar, with access to financing without political conditions, and greater participation of developing countries in global decisions. We support an international legally binding instrument on the right to development, which would contribute to its full implementation. For our people, peace and development are inseparable. We will continue to defend sovereignty, solidarity, and international cooperation for a world where all peoples can live with dignity without external impositions.


Third Committee · Chair [1:39:09]:

Thank you.


Qatar · GCC [1:39:18]:

Madam Chair, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the member states of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf. We are grateful to the Chair Rapporteur of the Working Group on the Right to Development and the Chair of the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development and the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development for their valuable briefings. The GCC States affirm that the right to development is a fundamental human right. It is an essential pillar for achieving sustainable development, well-being, and prosperity for all peoples. We agree with the report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to development contained in document A/81/187 that peace is of a fundamental importance to the realization of the right to development, and like other human rights, the right to development is affected by conflicts in multiple ways. In this regard, The GCC states highlight the catastrophic consequences of wars and conflicts that undermine the right to development. We note the serious consequences of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and its impact on the right to development. The continued closure of the strait is not only a challenge to energy security and global trade, its negative impact also extends to food security and energy availability to large parts of the world. The continued closure would also aggravate the negative effects on agricultural production. It disrupts supply chains, including fertilizer supplies, and raises transport and insurance costs. Our countries affirm the need to respect freedom of navigation and the right of transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law. We stress that these consequences will be more severe for developing countries and countries in fragile situations. We recall that Security Council Resolution 2817 of 2026 condemned any actions or threats by the Islamic Republic of Iran aimed at closing the Strait of Hormuz or obstructing obstructing or otherwise interfering with international navigation through it. In conclusion, the GCC States stress the importance of making every effort to preserve the security and stability of the region and ensure the safety of its peoples. They also stress the need to spare no effort to end conflicts, which are a major obstacle to sustainable development and the realization of the right to development. I thank you, madam Chair.


Third Committee · Chair [1:41:59]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Qatar. I now give the floor to Indonesia, to be followed by Zimbabwe and so in order of Malta.


Indonesia [1:42:09]:

Thank you, Madam Chair. Indonesia appreciate the mandate holders for their insightful reports and continued effort to advance the realization of these fundamental human rights. As we commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development, we must move beyond reaffirming principles towards delivering tangible results for all. In this regard, allow me to highlight three key messages. First, the right to development must remain central to the global development agenda. Its realization is closely linked to peace, human rights, climate change, technological transformation, and the reform of global economic governance. In our region, the ASEAN Declaration on Promoting the Right to Development and the Right to Peace affirm that peace and development are mutually reinforcing. Second, we must foster an international environment conducive to development. This requires stronger international cooperation, adequate and accessible development financing, addressing unsustainable burdens, and more equitable global economic governance. Third, we must build a firmer foundation for effective realization of the right to development. The draft International Covenant on the Right to Development is an important step in that direction. We must therefore work constructively to bridge the remaining differences and bring the Covenant to completion and adoption. Indonesia reaffirms that the right to development must be more than a shared aspiration. It must translate into concrete actions, equitable opportunities, and tangible improvement in people's life, and let us turn our collective commitments into meaningful progress for all. And to end my statement, I wish to extend question for all briefers. How can we better mainstream the right to development into global policy making to address emerging challenges while ensuring that its principle translate into tangible and measurable development outcomes? Thank you.


Third Committee · Chair [1:44:00]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Indonesia. I now give the floor to Zimbabwe.


Zimbabwe [1:44:06]:

Thank you, Chair. Zimbabwe aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the African Group and the Land-Aligned Movement. Allow me to thank the briefers for their briefing this morning and for their reports. Forty years after the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development, its central promise remains unfinished. to enable every person and all people to participate in, contribute to, and enjoy development. The right to development must receive the same attention and consideration as all other human rights. Its realization requires national action, international cooperation, and an enabling international environment that respects the sovereignty of states and their right to determine their own development priorities. Zimbabwe shares the view that peace and development are mutually reinforcing. Conflict destroys lives, homes, and essential infrastructure, displaces communities, and diverts resources from development. Sustainable peace therefore requires addressing the conditions that undermine it, including poverty, inequality, and exclusion. We welcome the Special Rapporteur's focus on moving from a war economy towards a peace economy. and on the importance of investing in development and reforming the global financial architecture. For developing countries, however, the ability to pursue development priorities is often constrained by structural imbalances in the international economic order. Unsustainable debt, limited access to affordable finance, unequal access to technology, and restrictive financial conditions narrow the policy space available for developing countries. International cooperation, technology transfer, and capacity building are essential in all countries if all countries are to advance their developmental goals. Zimbabwe is particularly concerned about the adverse effects of unilateral coercive measures. Their impact extend beyond the measures themselves. Overcompliance by financial institutions and other private actors can restrict access to finance and deter investment and disrupt lawful trade and cooperation. These effects undermine livelihoods and constrain national development efforts. The removal of such measures is essential to creating an enabling environment in which states can determine and pursue their development trajectories, including through the exercise of sovereignty over their natural resources. Zimbabwe supports the elaboration of a legally binding international covenant on the right to development. Such an instrument should strengthen accountability and international cooperation, address persistent obstacles to development, and reflect the principles of national ownership, sovereign equality, and respect for each country's development priorities. Progress should be pursued through an inclusive and balanced process that builds understanding among Member States. As we mark the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development, Zimbabwe calls for renewed commitment to turning its promises into tangible progress for all. This requires addressing structural barriers that constrain development, strengthening international cooperation, and ensuring that every country can pursue its national priorities in an enabling environment. I thank you.


Third Committee · Chair [1:47:30]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Zimbabwe. I now give the floor to Sovereign Order of Malta.


SMOM [1:47:37]:

Thank you, Madam Chair. Forty years ago, the United Nations Declaration on the Right to Development affirmed that development is an inalienable human right. It recognized that every person must have the opportunity to participate in, contribute to, and benefit from development. Yet, as we approach the 40th anniversary of its adoption, the gap between this commitment and its realization remains profound. In 2025, global military expenditure reached approximately 2.9 trillion US dollars, marking the 11th consecutive year of growth. Meanwhile, progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals remains insufficient, with only 35% of targets with available trend data on track or showing moderate progress. These figures invite us to reflect on whether our collective resources and efforts are commensurate with the scale of the challenges we face. Madam Chair, the right to development cannot be realized through economic growth alone. It requires international solidarity, effective cooperation, and sustained investment in the people and communities most at risk of being left behind. It also requires ensuring that individuals can participate meaningfully in the decisions that shape their lives. Young people must be recognized not merely as beneficiaries of development, but as active contributors to it. For the Sovereign Order of Malta, the right to development is inseparable from human dignity and our commitment to serving those most in need. Our humanitarian work addresses immediate suffering while strengthening long-term resilience and self-sufficiency. Through support for access to clean water and sanitation in conflict-affected regions, maternal and child health care in refugee settlements, and sustainable agricultural practices among displaced communities in Colombia, we work alongside vulnerable populations to strengthen their capacity to rebuild livelihoods and shape a more secure future. Ostensibly, development must place people at its center. Humanitarian assistance is essential in times of crisis, but it must also contribute, whenever possible, to the conditions in which communities can recover, participate, and thrive. Madam Chair, as we approach the Declaration's 40th anniversary, we must move beyond reaffirming its principles and strengthen their implementation. This requires addressing structural inequalities, deepening international cooperation, and ensuring that the most vulnerable are not excluded from development. The measure of our commitment is not simply the promises we make, but whether people are able to live with dignity, exercise their rights, and participate in shaping their futures. I thank you.


Third Committee · Chair [1:50:39]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Sovereign Order of Malta, who was the last speaker on my list. I will now invite the presenters of the combined briefing to respond to the comments and questions from the floor. I first give the floor to the co-reporteur of the Working Group on the Right to Development, Mr. Akram. Mr. Akram, you have the floor.


UN · Chair-Rapporteur, Working Group on the Right to Development [1:51:00]:

Thank you, Madam Chair. First of all, I would like to thank all those delegations for their comments addressed to me personally. I am grateful for their encouraging remarks. A few of the comments that were made by delegations refer to essentially the area that I am focused on, and that is on the Working Group on the Right to Development, and in particular, the implementation of the right to development through adoption of the legally binding instrument. In this regard, there were some comments, I would combine them, that the process should involve all stakeholders and that there should be a constructive and inclusive process. These were remarks that were made by different delegations. I totally agree that that is how it should be. And during the negotiations in Geneva, in the working group, that was also my effort to involve all the delegations in this process. Unfortunately, some delegations decided to effectively boycott the negotiating process, not once, but on three occasions that the draft was negotiated in Geneva. For those delegations to now say that all stakeholders should be involved and there should be an inclusive process, that could have happened had they participated. But it is still not too late. The draft covenant is here before you in New York, and I would encourage you to participate in the process. through a constructive and inclusive manner for its eventual adoption. As far as the support that I have heard from the floor for the draft legally binding instrument, it is very clear that at least in this room, there is majority support for it, and that reflects the nature of the draft that is before you, because it is reflecting the widest possible selection of views and interests of the international community. Some questions were asked, such as by the delegation of Cameroon, regarding how can the resistance to the implementation of the right to development Can we overcome through legal means, and how can Cameroon benefit from this? This is a very difficult question to answer, but I would, in my limited view, suggest that countries in such situations, and most developing countries are in such situations as Cameroon, should use the forum of the working group. by their participation and by highlighting their own national priorities, their national development agendas, and also in that process, highlight the obstacles that they continue to face, particularly due to external interference and resistance. The same can be raised in the Human Rights Council, and of course, here in the Third Committee. I mean, these are the things that come to my mind immediately. Ethiopia talked about the steps needed to adopt the covenant. I think, to me, the steps are pretty obvious. They need to be taken forward by the member states, particularly those who are in support of this draft legally binding instrument. And I suppose the mechanism or the machinery would be the adoption of a resolution to which the draft covenant is attached. But that is a decision and a process that only member states can adopt and pursue. So, but in my mind, that seems to be the most convenient and easiest way. that need to be followed to adopt the covenant. A final remark I just want to make is that international assistance is key, but international assistance should not be seen as charity. Many of the countries that are calling for the right to the implementation of the right to development are countries that suffered through colonialism and imperialism. Their natural resources were denuded and extracted. They are owed for what was taken from them. So this is not charity. The second point is that the right to development should be seen in its holistic nature, because for one thing, There are rich people in poor countries, and there are poor people in rich countries. All of them need to be given the opportunities that the right to development can provide for them. I thank you once again, Madam Chair, for this opportunity.


Third Committee · Chair [1:57:24]:

I thank the chair rapporteur of the working group on the right to development. I next give the floor to a Chair of the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development, Ms. Juana María.

Ibáñez Rivas.


UN · Chair, Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development [1:57:37]:

Thank you very much. I thank everyone for your participation. I will attempt to respond to all of the questions asked, and if I don't do so, be assured that we will incorporate all of your concerns in the work of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development. This is a very good opportunity also for you to see the cooperation, the synergies among the various mandates at the United Nations relating to the right to development. And it is an honor for me to be here with representatives of these other mandates, to see what is the best way to work together to realize this right. First of all, from all of your comments, I would like to highlight the importance that we value the role of the right to development. There are no hierarchies among rights, but this right has fundamental characteristics which make it a clear element to face the challenges we have today. It has an individual and collective dimension. It embodies economic, cultural, economic, environmental rights, which affect peoples and which call for cooperation among states. We have essential elements there to face up to our current challenges. Professor Suryadeva has presented the results of his study on peace in relation to the right to development. And as I've said in this report we have submitted, we are in the process of drafting a thematic study on peace, security and the right to development, which will be submitted next year by the Chair. But I also think it essential to take this opportunity to guarantee that that study will make references to the report of Professor Sooriya to strengthen our mandates and to highlight how this study, together with that of the Special Rapporteur, Uses essential articles. There are articles 5 and 7 of the declaration specifically highlight the links between peace, security, development, and these are the 2 articles that refer to this link. And this study, which I have the honor to lead, has three major parts. The first one has to do with the obligations of states to maintain and strengthen peace, and there will be a review of the obligations of the states under the UN Charter, but also it will address many of the concerns you have mentioned, the importance for states to fulfill their obligations on the international law of human rights, which guarantee access to justice, to information, to the participation of individuals, and to the rule of law. The second part has to do with the needs for gradual and controlled disarmament at the international level. And here, of course, we will emphasize how this expenditure is verified and how, in economic terms, this expenditure can be used to serve the needs of the right to development and other human rights. But the disarmament will be centered on peoples and individuals and the need to guarantee transparency of these expenditures, to guarantee cooperation and solidarity. And the third part is focused on the obligations of states to put an end to violations of human rights and humanitarian international law, which is recognized in the Declaration on the Right to Development. So states are urged to focus on that situation, and when there are armed conflicts or dictatorships, to apply standards on transitional justice to guarantee reparation, justice, and non-repetition, to use as agents of peace, as you have mentioned, women, youth, and indigenous peoples. In this regard, this study has received more than 60 contributions, and the idea is to share good practices with all of you so that this may serve as inspiration to other states to realize this right. With regard to the International Covenant, Professor Abram has referred to this, but I will simply reiterate that it is the responsibility of member states of the organization. And you are, it is up to you to reactivate this process toward the adoption of this covenant which will make it possible to strengthen the protection of all human rights, and which will be the third pillar together with the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights and that of Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Rights. What can be added to this process? We must take into account all of the aspects of the Declaration and its effects to this day, sustainable and enable development, the Sevilla commitment, the pact for the future, but we have important contributions of regional systems at Abu Dhabi on the right to development, and we have binding instruments like the Charter on Human Rights and specific articles which recognize the right to development, and this is binding for the states parties. The preamble to the San Salvador in the Inter-American system which recognizes the rights of peoples to development, and we have very sound jurisprudence in the African system and the Inter-American system recognizing the right to development or obligations relating to this right. This can also promote activities so that you states can take the decision to realize the adoption of the protocol, the convention, and the right to development, and possibly eventually conduct consultations, reduce doubts, which have prevented their adoption to this day. In the expert mechanism, as I've said, we have studies which are underway, such as that on illicit financial flows, which responds to some of your questions, appropriate standards of living, the right to the determination of indigenous peoples, right to development, and also the one that relates to due diligence on the right to development. And simply, these are supplements to the report we have submitted, which reflects concerns about climate change, artificial intelligence. We include good practices so that states can fulfill their obligations toward realizing cooperation. And as you have said, We all recognize progress, which may be entailed with AI and new technologies. We must, however, bear in mind that this has to be regulated with a view to scientific development, but it has to be framed within international law, international human rights law, and the right to development through regulation, follow-up, and the existence of resources so people can invoke their rights if they are violated. The study emphasizes the rights of workers, of artists, academic freedoms, the governance of indigenous and tribal peoples, and we also use the documents in the Council of Europe and the European Union and from UNESCO, our thematic study on climate change, This study proposes alternatives through carbon markets, clean kitchens, critical points, and it also refers to illicit financial flows so that they are taken into account among the measures that you are to adopt as States to protect a sound environment and the obligation to cooperate, using as a reference the advisory opinions of the ICJ and the Inter-American Court on Human Rights, which have established the obligations of States in terms of climate change, and what should be a possible roadmap to implement the obligations to cooperate and take up differentiated but shared responsibilities. So, from the Expert Mechanism, I urge you to share your good practices with us, and it is our responsibility to make them visible through our thematic studies, our policy papers, and our websites, so that these can be examples for other states. Thank you.


Third Committee · Chair [2:07:48]:

I thank the Chair of the Expert Mechanisms on the Right to Development. I now give the floor to the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development, Ms. Suryadeva.


UN · Special Rapporteur on the right to development [2:07:58]:

Thank you, Madam Chair. I want to thank all the delegations for their positive feedback. In the room, I heard universal support for the peace economy towards which we should be moving and the nexus that I tried to establish between development, human rights, and, of course, peace. So, there were so many questions asked specifically to me, and I will try to answer some of these, but I will stay in the room, so happy to bilaterally engage delegations. But let me start with some broad reflections based on what I heard in the room. Because peace economy idea is supported not only in this room, but generally outside as well. I will be doing further work and will be developing indicators of a peace economy and guidelines to provide member states and private sector as well that what should they be doing in relation to that. I just want to provide a concrete example of what kind of a shift I am asking member states to do. If we estimate how much money United States had spent on its invasion against Iran, just United States, no other country. That money is enough to fund the entire UN budget for the next 14 years. So no other country needs to pay a single penny for the next 14 years if United States, instead of spending that money in attacking unlawfully this country, They have used that money to fund United Nations, 14 years. And what have we achieved from that conflict? Anything positive in relation to human rights or democracy or a more peaceful region? I think that is what I'm asking member states to move the shift from conflicts to the peace economy. There are several questions and comments about adopting the legally binding instrument, and I am fully supportive of that goal. I think we need more informal conversations, in my view, to build consensus and try to clarify those concerns, if possible, and adopt this covenant as soon as possible. At the same time, I also want to acknowledge that this This legally binding instrument is not the only way to implement right to development. This is one of the many tools that we need. And ultimately, even if the covenant is adopted, most of the implementation takes place at the national level. Of course, international cooperation is crucial. And here I want to appreciate the leadership of Malaysia as part of the ASEAN chair last year, because they adopted this declaration in ASEAN on development and peace, and that connection between development and peace was very crucial, and it was a pleasure to work with the Malaysian representative to IHR as part of that process, and I provided my input on the draft declaration that was adopted. So I very much hope that more such regional instruments can also be operationalized to show that connection between development and peace. As this is the 40th anniversary, and this declaration was in fact adopted on the 4th of December, and I am convening a major international conference in Geneva in collaboration with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the 4th of December. So all the delegations and everyone will be invited, and that declaration, sorry, that conference hopefully will reinforce the importance of right to development in current times, including how we can overcome conflicts and everything else. I also want to mention that some of the issues that were highlighted by different delegations, I will be having specific reports to deal with that. For instance, the reform of international financial architecture will be the focus of my report in 2028 here in the Third Committee. I just met the representative of IMF yesterday, and I'm approaching World Bank, so this is a key priority for my mandate. Some delegations mentioned about access to technology. So one of my reports next year will be on artificial intelligence and right to development, because I see opportunities there, but I also see potential risks that why certain countries may be left behind and it may perpetuate and worsen inequality. So I just wanted to mention that. Let me address some of the specific questions. I don't know if Madame Shea will give me extra time, because we have plenty of time, but I don't have time. But let me see how much I can address. I'll start with Cameroon. Two specific questions. When it comes to international human rights law, it is very clear that the state's obligations do not stop at the borders. States have obligations, both positive and negative, which go beyond their borders, and that's where the idea of extraterritorial obligations arise. And that is also relevant in the context of right to development. And this covenant that is being negotiated has to recognize those obligations. It is already recognized in many other declarations and instruments and general comments of treaty bodies. It's very well established. The difficulty is that some states don't acknowledge those obligations exist, though they, for instance, many states use extraterritoriality to impose obligations on their citizens to get tax, but they don't want to accept this reality. Now, in relation to the specific question, I will encourage Cameroon to invite me for a country visit. Because that is how we can provide technical assistance to a particular state. So I am happy to do a formal country visit or a technical visit, whatever. We can work that out, that how you can leverage the international system, the trade issue that you mentioned. ASEAN question, Malaysia posed the question about fiscal constraint and all that. I think the key is to divert, I think the world has plenty of resources. So out of $2.9 trillion that we have spent last year on military, if we move 1 trillion from there at least to human rights and sustainable development goals, we can eliminate poverty, extreme poverty, and hunger, achieve gender equality, achieve climate finance, and just transition. So we just need to collectively agree that we will not invest too much on each country spending on weapons, rather we need to spend more on human development, human rights, and the environment. I think that is crucial. How do we close the financial gap? The question from European Union. I think Saviar commitment is very clear. It provides concrete ideas and tools. Trade is very crucial in my view. International trade, which is rooted in the fair rules, not merely rules that are creating disadvantage for many countries, that is very crucial. Stopping illicit financial flow is crucial. For instance, Africa as a continent loses 90 billion US dollars every year in illicit financial flow. That's a huge money. That is much more than it gets in ODA. So international cooperation, if we can use that money in Africa, that will change the dynamics in terms of the money and resources available. So we already have tools available. States just need to come together outside the formal settings and agree that we need to implement the same commitment going forward, and we need to create a dignified life for everyone everywhere. And I completely agree with Mr. Draghmi that right to development is a right which is relevant, like any other human right, for everyone everywhere. And if you don't believe me, I will invite you to look at my country visit report to Germany, which is a developed country. Delegation from Germany is there. Thank you for the invitation. That report shows that this right is not merely for the global south. It right is relevant for each and every country everywhere. There was a question from Spain, how can states fulfill the obligations? I think Saviar commitments highlights clearly what needs to be done, and I think Spain has shown leadership in terms of multilateralism generally, and I want to acknowledge that. So states can just change the direction where they are putting their money, not merely talking, but moving their dollars towards peace economy is what is going to count going forward, in my view. Ireland technology benefits, that's a key issue. I think we need to design technologies that they are compatible with human rights and leave no one behind. So what is happening now is that we are designing technology first, and then we are retrofitting, oh, how will it create no bias and all this? So we need to integrate the human rights due diligence impact assessment processes, environmental impact processes, in the design of technology and throughout the cycle, because that is where access is very crucial. And this is what I will tackle in my report to the Human Rights Council next year. The question from Algeria. How to address structural inequalities? No magic solution, but many things need to change, including the reform of international financial institutions. IMF and World Bank, for instance, the voting power, g7 countries have 40% voting power. How do we justify this? So I think these institutions have to change. If an African country wants to borrow the money, the interest rate is 8% to 12%. If a G7 country wants to borrow the money for the same purpose, the interest rate is 1%. So countries who need easier access to finance are struggling to raise finance because the credit rating agencies are biased in a way because they escalate the risk of in the global south. So I think we need to address these structural barriers. Solutions are there. We need to come together to incrementally achieve those solutions. There was a question from Nigeria. I'm almost there. Two minutes? One? OK. There's one on. So I'll suggest delegations that I'm here in the room, and I'll be happy to engage. So in relation to a question from Bangladesh, how do we achieve a shift from military expenditure to right to development? I think my report clearly provides the pathway, how to do it. the concrete measures there. Reform the Security Council. That was a question from Brazil. I wish I can do more on and maybe a whole report. I think Security Council, let me be very candid, is becoming irrelevant because it cannot achieve the only one thing it is supposed to achieve, peace and security. Second thing is that the failure of the Security Council is reflected on the entire UN, because people outside do not see the distinction between Security Council and the UN. So they blame UN for everything, but UN is not failing, only the Security Council is failing. So we must reform, states have to come together, and if they can't reform it, alternatives will come outside the system, I can tell you, because this is not fit for the purpose. And we cannot continue in this way. So I think I will respect the time, and I'll pause here. And my apologies that some questions I could not answer, but I'm happy to bilaterally engage. Thank you very much.


Third Committee · Chair [2:20:38]:

I thank the Special Rapporteur on the right to development. Once again, I thank all our speakers for joining the combined briefing, which served to increase the depth of our discussions. demonstrate the linkages between the respective mandates and further enhance the quality of the work of the Committee. Before we adjourn, I would like to remind delegations that the deadline for the submission of draft proposals under this item is Tuesday, November 3, at 1:00 PM. The Committee will resume its consideration of agenda item 65, report of the Human Rights Council, this afternoon at 3:00 PM sharp to hear a statement by the President of the Human Rights Council and engage with him in an interactive dialogue pursuant to the programme of work. The meeting is adjourned.