(Part 2) High-level Meeting to Commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development - General Assembly, 81st session

We shall now continue with the plenary segment of the high-level meeting to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development. Before giving the floor to the first speaker, I would like to remind delegations that the time limit for statements will be three minutes for delegations speaking in their national capacity, and five minutes for statements made on behalf of the Group of dates, which will be strictly enforced by means of automatic microphone cut-off. Having said that, I would appeal to all speakers to deliver their statements at a reasonable pace to facilitate the interpretation into the six official languages. I thank you for your consideration. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Solomon Islands.

Mr. President, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, Somaliland reaffirms that the right to development is an inalienable human right. For the past 40 years, the Declaration has reminded and demonstrated a simple but powerful principle, development must be about people. That every person is entitled to participate and contribute to, enjoy and benefit from economic, social and cultural development with all human rights and fundamental freedoms realized. It reinforced development must be inclusive, participatory and equitable. For Solomon Islands, these principles are reflected in our national development priorities and policies. Our National Development Strategy 2016 to 2035 places our people at the center of our development efforts. We continue to prioritize and invest in essential services, enabling policies and legal frameworks in health, education, access to justice, the empowerment of women, protection of children, and inclusion of rights of persons. As a small island developing state, the right to development is inseparable from the realities of climate change. Rising sea levels, natural disasters, ocean acidification are threatening livelihoods, food security, and infrastructure, undermining our right to development, economic prosperity. Mr. President, This commemorative meeting must be more than a reflective session. It must be a moment to act. The declaration is clear that states have a duty to cooperate in ensuring development and eliminating obstacles to development. It is essential in providing developing countries to reach their full potential. Let me highlight some of these areas. First, We need to close the financial gap to sustainable development. Greater investment must be made in resilient infrastructure, health, education, and productive sectors. Second, we must accelerate technology transfer, digital transformation, and capacity building. This can help developing countries overcome structural constraints and the population to fully utilize the benefits of the digital age. Third, the right to development requires a more supportive international economic environment with international financial arrangements that recognize the circumstances and vulnerabilities of developing countries and small island developing states.

I thank the distinguished representative of Solomon Islands. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Comoros.

President of the General Assembly, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, All protocols observed. Today, the United Nations is commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development, a declaration which remains salient and recalls a basic truth: development is not a privilege, it is not a favour conferred on some, it is a right, the right for all people to fully participate in economic development. For the Union of the Comoros, this means making the right to development a concrete reality for our people. It is in that spirit that Comorians are upholding our commitment to human rights and the rule of law, as human rights and development are complementary. Our participation in the Universal Periodic Review mechanism translates this into a concrete responsibility to make progress. the 2024 review, we accepted the vast majority of recommendations formulated by States. We are continuing to implement them through concrete actions, in particular as regards socioeconomic development, employment, training, the environment, and the protection of vulnerable groups. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, for a developing island state like the Comoros, realizing this right means overcoming structural vulnerabilities which are constraining our production and transformation potential. It means investing in education, health, water, energy, as well as in infrastructure, creating jobs, bolstering our productive capacity, and giving our young people the competencies and the prospects they yearn for. As part and parcel of this transformation, we have the rural population and women on board. This is why we've managed to transform our economy by focusing on local value added, by transforming our food security, developing the blue economy, renewables, as well as human capital. Our ambition is not just to produce and to export, but to create value and to create sustainable jobs. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, We can only do this in the long haul if we mount a response to climate change. For us, climate change is already affecting our people, our resources, our agriculture, infrastructure, as well as... our access to water. Island states are not asking for privileges. We're asking for equitable conditions so that we can forge our future. Therefore, we need an international financial architecture that is fairer, more inclusive, better tailored to the vulnerabilities of developing countries. What's more is we call for partnerships underpinned by trust, knowledge transfer, and capacity building. as well as access to technologies in full respect for national priorities.

The speaker's microphone has been cut off.

I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Madagascar.

Madame President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, 40 years after it was adopted, the Declaration on the Right to Development invites us to answer a decisive question. That is, how do we make this right a reality for everybody? The Declaration sets a clear course. Humans must participate in development, contribute to it and benefit from it. For Madagascar, this means ensuring the effective enjoyment of These rights lie at the heart of all public policies. We want for every child to be able to learn and develop his or her capacities, for every woman to live free from violence and to play her rightful role within society, for all persons with disabilities to access services and participate in taking the decisions which affect them. The most vulnerable segments of society should be heard when we are setting national priorities so that they can benefit from the progress we make. In Madagascar, a national social protection policy is a driving force, helping us to move in the right direction. It should help coordinate our interventions and facilitate household access to mechanisms which meet their needs. The monetary transfer program are already contributing to help households more resilient to shocks by giving households greater access to education, health and other essential services. This is a way of making social protection a way of realizing the right to development. Now, this ambition also requires for recognized rights to be enforced in practice. The fight against gender-based violence, preventing corruption and ensuring institutional accountability. should translate into tangible results for our people. This is how we are overhauling the situation. We're bringing our public policies closer to our citizens, allowing these citizens to participate in making the choices which forge their future, and also to take stock of the progress that's been made. Ladies and gentlemen, at the international level, Madagascar would like to take forward the legal process that is underway regarding the right to development. The 1986 declaration set forth the principles. Discussions on the international pact are today an opportunity to clarify states' commitments and how they are to be implemented. We are very much in favour for further inclusive negotiations which fully involve developing countries so that we can create a framework at the end of the day which strengthens participation, equality, non-discrimination and accountability. As we mark this 40th anniversary, Madagascar would like to remind everybody that our common commitment should be judged by its results. Effectively exercised rights, fully fledged decision-making people involved in decision-making, and the benefits of development which are to be shared equitably.

I thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Belarus.

Madam President, The Republic of Belarus is delighted to participate in this event dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development. This document was a genuine breakthrough, proclaiming the right to development as an inalienable right of every person, of all peoples. It gave a powerful impetus to the elaboration of an international covenant on the right to development, work on which is now in the home stretch. However, if we cast our gaze over the path we've traveled over the last four decades, we now regret that the realization of this right is running into systemic barriers. And this is not a coincidence. Today's confrontation merely serves to underscore that the world has not yet managed to overcome the divide that emerged in the previous century. Those states which voted against the declaration or chose to abstain back in 1986 are effectively obstructing the adoption of the Covenant on the Right to Development. Why this position? The answer is simple. They want to continue living in the way they've lived for centuries, that is, at others' expense. That's why they're trying to restrain the development of the global majority through neocolonial policies, which are manifested through illegal UCMs, artificial barriers to trade and technological exchange, the imposition of so-called democracy and so-called reforms, the list goes on. Belarus, like many other countries of the global majority is feeling the brunt of these instruments which aim to artificially limit our progress. We categorically reject such approaches. We reject the right of those who wield the most power to forge the world order. We stand convinced that the future belongs to A new architecture of international economic cooperation, such an architecture would be, first and foremost, oriented towards serving the interests of ordinary people. Second, built on the principles of equality, non-discrimination, and the fair distribution of benefits. Third, it should factor in the interests of the global majority. Fourth, it should be underpinned by the rule of law and respect for sovereignty, rather than the so-called rules-based order. a notion that is reinvented by Western countries time and time again. This is precisely the principles which the BRICS use, the SCO uses, and other Eurasian integration associations. We encourage everybody to join our efforts to build a genuinely inclusive system in which the right to development will be something that exists not in word, but in deed, that it will be the center of attention. I thank you.

Distinguished representative of Belarus. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Kingdom of Netherlands.

Good afternoon, Madam President, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen. Today we commemorate a milestone achieved 40 years ago when we proclaimed the right to development an inalienable human right. The right to development is a symbol of the indivisible, interdependent and mutually reinforcing nature of all human rights. It recognizes that development is an all-encompassing process that requires equal attention to civil and political, as well as economic, social, and cultural rights for its realization. The 2030 Agenda remains our roadmap towards sustainable development. But with four years remaining before 2030, interlinked crises, conflict, climate change, and increasing inequality are not only impeding progress, but rolling back achievements of the past. The Kingdom of the Netherlands is committed to the 2030 Agenda. Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten and the Netherlands work in their own context with one shared goal: a just, inclusive and sustainable future. Next year, we will present our third voluntary national review on SDGs progress. This will be done in close collaboration with the youth, the private sector, civil society embodying the SDGs as our common agenda. No country can achieve sustainable development by itself. In recognition of this, the declaration enshrines the call on states to cooperate in pursuit of the realization of development. It also requires a UN that is representative of the world it serves, and that is equipped to meet today's challenges. The Kingdom of the Netherlands is a strong supporter of the reform processes that work to make the UN more representative, resilient, and effective in delivering on its mandates. Let the 40th anniversary of the Declaration remind us of our common goal to ensure that every person has the ability to shape their own future. and let it reinvigorate our effort to ensure that this does not remain an aspiration. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Gambia.

Madam Chair, the Gambia is honored to participate in this high-level meeting to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development, a vital platform for renewing global efforts towards addressing inequalities and finding solutions and panaceas to the most crucial challenges affecting global development priorities. For The Gambia, the right to development transcends the realm of terminological political aspiration. It embodies a fundamental approach to development that champions solidarity among nations and respects for fundamental rights. It invites us to share our experiences, expertise, and resources to confront common challenges and seize shared opportunities. The Gambia emphasizes that this high-level meeting must serve not only as a commemoration, but also calls for renewed global action. As a country, this declaration is central to our national development priorities. The Gambia appreciates and commends United Nations' contributions to its development ambitions. Since 2016, Through perseverance and strenuous efforts, the Government of the Gambia, led by His Excellency Adam Barrow, can boast of impressive accomplishments ranging from human rights, economic and political reforms, national unity, respect for the rule of law, public sector efficiency, social justice and equity. These priorities also include advancing gender equality, recognizing and increasing women's participation in the economy and decision-making processes. The Gambia views the right to development as an inalienable and inherent human right. In this regard, we continue to call for the implementation of commitment espoused under the Financing for Development Initiative and the Saver Outcome. We believe that through a committed vision for these ideals, we can deliver sustainable development goals and leave no one behind. Excellencies, The declaration on the right to development cannot be guaranteed in the absence of equitable, resilient global frameworks. We must ensure that developing countries have the necessary prerequisites to carry out commitments and priorities by facilitating debt relief and concessional financing grants, investing in vital infrastructures, expanding critical sectors, fair trade practices for investment, technological transfer, and the reform of the international financing architecture. The United Nations has outlined all these transformative priorities in the Pact for the Future adopted in 2024, and the Gambia calls on all countries to muster the political will to turn commitments into tangible and progressive actions. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Gambia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Zambia.

Thank you. Mr. President, excellencies, distinguished delegates, the adoption of the Declaration on Right to Development established a profound global truth. Development is a fundamental human right with the human person at the center as its participant and beneficiary. For Zambia, the right to development requires a pragmatic balance between investment that protects livelihoods today and a structured transition towards long-term resilience to economic, environmental, and health-related shocks. Mr. President, at national level, Zambia is translating these principles into concrete action through our Grow Zambia agenda, transitioning from economic stabilization towards inclusive and sustainable growth. Energy security remains central to this ambition. Zambia believes that developing countries must have a policy space to responsibly utilize their natural resources to expand energy access and support economic growth. We are therefore developing baseload thermal generation while scaling up green energy alternatives to power social services, agriculture, mining, and manufacturing, while expanding access to underserved communities. We are equally placing citizens at the center of development through enhanced decentralization. Increased local financing through the Constituency Development Fund is empowering communities to determine their own development priorities, including schools, health facilities, water and other essential infrastructure. Our commitment to human development is also reflected in the reintroduction of free primary and secondary education, which has enabled over 2.6 million vulnerable children to return to school. Together with the homegrown school feeding program, this has contributed to an increase in primary school completion from 84% to 94%. Zambia is further expanding social cash transfers, rural electrification and empowerment programs while advancing legal reforms that benefit women, young people and vulnerable groups. Mr. President, our development aspirations cannot be separated from environmental sustainability. Climate-induced droughts threaten our energy, water, and food security. Zambia is therefore investing in climate-resilient agriculture, green infrastructure, and measures to address.

I thank the distinguished representative of Zambia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Timor-Leste.

Madam President, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, we are honored to join the commemorating for the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development. Four decades ago, the international community proclaimed the right to development as inalienable human rights and placed human person in the center of development. For Timor-Leste, a nation shaped by determination, resilience, and international solidarity, this principle is not merely aspirational; it remains a national imperative. Our transition from conflict to peace and democratic stability has demonstrated that lasting development requires more than economic growth. It also depends on meaningful participation, equal opportunity, social inclusion, accountable institutions, and respect for human rights. Madam President, despite progress, development remains deeply uneven. Structural inequalities continue to constrain many countries, particularly least developed countries and small island developing states. These challenges are compounded by climate vulnerability, economic shocks, financial gaps and unequal access to technology. Against that, this background, the declaration should guide collective action in the following areas. One, digital transformation and artificial intelligence should expand opportunity rather than deepen exclusion. Developing countries should be able to shape the benefit equitably from technological progress. Second, we need a more inclusive international financial architecture, accessible financing, and genuine partnership to help developing countries, strengthening resilience, adapt to climate change, and pursue the energy transition according to national circumstances. Third, Timor-Leste supports constructive engagement in discussion and including on a draft international covenant on the right to development. As we mark this anniversary, let us translate shared principles into measurable progress in solidarity, equity, and participation in the fair distribution of development benefits. I thank you.

Thank the distinguished representative of Timor-Leste. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Vanuatu.

All protocols reserved, observed. Today we come together to reflect, to remember, to recommit. We're here because we believe in something powerful, the right to development. It's more than words on paper. It's a promise, a promise to every person, to every community, that we all deserve a chance to grow, to thrive, to be healthy, safe, and included. for us in Vanuatu, this right is personal. It is at the heart of our plans, our vision for a stable, sustainable, and prosperous nation. The people's plan 2030 shows us how. It's about people. It's about culture. It's about participation. It's about fairness. We all want we want everyone to share in our progress to feel the benefits of development not just for some, for all of us. Over the years, we've made progress, yes, But the journey isn't finished, not yet. We face big challenges, climate change, natural disasters. They threaten our homes, our islands, our future. Every cyclone, every earthquake, every volcanic eruption reminds us how vulnerable we are. But it is also reminds us how resilient of our resilience, our strength. We are a resilient nation. And we are committed to building a resilient nation to protect what we've built, to adapt, and to recover. We took a stand. We led the historic ICJ advisory opinion on climate change. It's a step forward. It's a call to the world to do more, to do better, because we know that climate change is a human justice. And we believe that development must be inclusive. It must leave no one behind. That's why our health strategy, our health plan for 2021-2030 is so important. It's about more than hospitals and clinics. It's about building a health system that is accessible. It's about protecting our people from new threats, from COVID-19, yes, but also from ongoing impacts of climate change, from natural disasters, from disease. We need to be ready, we need to be resilient. And it's about our youth, our future. We want them to have skills, opportunity, and hope, to be active participants in our nation's growth. That's why strengthening our education system, our training, and our institutions is so vital. We can't do this alone. We need support from each other, from partners around the world. We need a global movement, a collective effort to uphold the right of development, to make sure it's more than just words, to make it real for all of us. It requires international solidarity, fairness, real access to resources. Climate finance must be reachable for those in most need. Vulnerable countries need affordable, predictable financing, and our global economic systems must.

I thank the distinguished representative of Vanuatu. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mexico.

Senora President, your excellences, 40 years down the road from the adoption of the declaration on the right to development, Mexico wants once again to state a deep-rooted belief that is development is a human right. It's not restricted just to economic growth. It means establishing conditions so that everybody can live in good conditions and with dignity, fully exercise their rights, and play a part in building fairer societies. In Mexico, this vision is expressed in a vision of development with human development. We have our 2025 to 2030 development plan, and this lays down this as the guiding line for state action. It is important, vital, to put people center stage, particularly those who have been excluded in the past. This focus has yielded tangible results. Between 2018 and 2024, more than 13 Mexican men and women were lifted from poverty, reaching the lowest level recorded in the country. Recent predictions show that this positive trend is likely to continue. But if the right to development is to be real, it means more than improving indicators. It means that people and communities can determine their own development by means of dialogue and consultation and participation We want to ensure that they're not just beneficiaries of government policies, but fully play a part in designing and implementing them. Free, significant participation is a sine qua non of the right to development. Our experience also confirms the need for a holistic approach, looking at economic, social, and cultural policies, as well as environmental ones, so that they chime with human rights. And this responsibility does not end at our borders. In a world which is extremely interdependent, strengthening international cooperation and revitalizing multilateralism is crucial in order to overcome the structural impediments which developing countries are up against. We have to reduce inequalities, move towards more models of sustainable development, again, ones that are inclusive and people-based. We need to ensure an equitable distribution of the benefits of development.

And the speaker is cut off.

I think that's Representative of Mexico. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Dominican Republic.

Good afternoon, Madam Chair, distinguished delegates. It is a great honor to be able to speak at this extremely significant event as we commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development. This is an instrument which puts people at the very center of economic, social, cultural, and political development. Four decades on, we are still seeking progress, and it still remains asymmetrical. There are still large gulfs between countries when it comes to access to funding, institutional development, technological innovation, and opportunities for their people. And we have to add to these new vulnerabilities arising from climate change and the ever more complex international environment. This means that we have to make progress towards holistic, inclusible, and sustainable models of development. In the Dominican Republic, we have managed to express this in our institutions, firstly, by means of our national development strategy, and more recently, by means of Goal R&D 2036. Here, we express the commitment to eradicate extreme poverty, triple the average wage, and generate about 7 million jobs. This means that we seek the sustainable development that we have experienced in recent years and improving conditions of life for our people, reducing poverty, extending opportunities, these are core to our national priorities. Like many other countries represented here, we have made significant progress. However, there are still structural challenges. And when we look at traditional classifications, explicitly based on per capita income, these are not adequately reflected. We are a small island developing state, and this means that we are particularly vulnerable to climate change, to natural phenomena, and the ensuing disturbances from the very uncertain international panorama. So we have, therefore, to move towards a broader view of development where vulnerability, resilience, and institutional capacities complement the traditional criteria used for international cooperation and the access to funding for development. As we commemorate this declaration, the Dominican Republic reasserts its commitment to promote the right to development, to place people at the very center of our policies, and to move towards a society.

I thank the distinguished representative of Dominican Republic. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Kazakhstan.

Madam President, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, The Declaration on the Right to Development adopted 40 years ago affirmed a simple but enduring principle: development as an inalienable human right. Its purpose is not growth for its own sake, but realization of human dignity, equal opportunity, and shared prosperity. For Kazakhstan, the principle guides both national reform and international engagement. Nationally, Kazakhstan translates these principles into practice through comprehensive reforms guided by President Tokayev's vision of a just Kazakhstan, where every person can fully realize their potential. Our new constitution identifies the development of human capital, education, science and innovation as a strategic priorities of the state. It also affirms the importance of public well-being, environmental responsibility and citizens participation in decision-making. Yet the right to development cannot be realized by national efforts alone. We advocate for a more equitable international financial and trade architecture, expanded technology transfer, and predictable long-term development financing. Water security is integral to the right to development. It affects food and energy security, public health, livelihoods, and climate resilience. Kazakhstan is therefore advancing initiative to establish an international water organization under the UN auspices aimed at strengthening global coordination and advancing shared solutions to water challenges. Kazakhstan also attaches particular importance to regional cooperation. As a host and principal contributor, we are actively advancing the operationalization of the UN Regional Center for SDGs for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty. Under the operating and the delivering as one approach, the center is designed to serve as a catalyst for policy innovation and integrated regional solutions. The right to development also requires peace and security. Kazakhstan remains firmly committed to nuclear disarmament, dialogue, and peaceful settlement of disputes. On this anniversary, we call for the right to development to be advanced across the UN system and international financial institutions in a constructive, depoliticized, and action-oriented manner. Grounded by our pledge to leave no one behind, our collective success will be measured by the real improvements we deliver to every human life. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Kazakhstan. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Finland.

Madam Chair, Excellencies. The Declaration on the Right to Development reminds us that poverty, inequality, and lack of opportunity are not merely economic challenges, but human rights concerns, and that development must be human-centered. Finland's own history demonstrates the transformative power of inclusive development. Just a century ago, Finland was a poor and agrarian country. Through sustained investments in education, healthcare, gender equality and the rule of law, we transformed our society. We invested in people and in their ability to shape their own futures. Our experience teaches us that development is not simply about economic growth. It is about expanding people's opportunities, strengthening institutions, and ensuring that everyone can contribute to and benefit from progress. Human rights and development are mutually reinforcing. This is particularly true for sexual and reproductive health and rights. Every day, approximately 800 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, and progress in reducing maternal mortality has largely stalled in recent years. Sexual and reproductive health and rights are not only a health issue, they are a development imperative. When women and girls can make informed decisions about their bodies, societies become healthier. more prosperous and more resilient. Ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health services is one of the smartest investments we can make in sustainable development. We must also recognize the indispensable role of open civic space. Development is strongest when people can participate freely and meaningfully in decisions that affect their lives. Civil society, human rights defenders and independent media are essential partners in development. Open societies are better equipped to innovate, address inequalities and build trust. Finland remains committed to a human rights-based approach to development, grounded in equality, participation and accountability. We can and must create conditions in which all people are able to benefit from development and to shape it. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Finland. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Bahrain.

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, it is a great pleasure to be with you today as we mark the 40th anniversary of the Declaration to the Right to Development. Four decades ago, the international community affirmed a powerful truth. Development is not a privilege. It is a universal human right, placing people at the center of development as both its central subject and its beneficiary. For the Kingdom of Bahrain, the right to development is ultimately about people. Creating the conditions for individuals to reach their full potential, access opportunity, live with dignity, and build resilient and prosperous communities. Development must therefore be measured not only by economic growth, but by its impact. This conviction is deeply rooted in Bahrain's national development journey. Our economic vision 2030 places citizens' living standards at the center of development through three core pillars, sustainability, competitiveness, and fairness. Economic diversification has been at the heart of this transformation. In 2025, non-oil sectors accounted for 85.8% of real GDP, reflecting broader sources of growth and greater resilience. Our Government Programme 2023-2026 continues to place citizens at the centre of development, focusing on raising living standards, strengthening growth and enhancing the quality of government and community services. But resilience is not measured only in times of prosperity; it is tested in times of crisis. Bahrain has demonstrated resilience in responding to the unprovoked and indiscriminate attacks by Iran since February 28th of this year, which caused loss of life, injuries, and damage to civilian and critical infrastructure. Bahrain acted to protect its people, sustain essential services, and preserved hard-won development gains. The COVID-19 pandemic similarly demonstrated how economic stability, health, and social security are inseparable, prompting measures to protect livelihoods, support businesses, and accelerate investment. Inclusive development also means ensuring that everyone can participate and benefit. Bahrain has continued to empower youth, women, and persons with disabilities through initiatives, including our National Youth Strategy, the National Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the National Gender Balance Model. As the nature of development changes, so too must our ambition. Bahrain is advancing human-centered digital transformation through our National Policy for the Use of AI, working to equip 50,000 Bahrainis with AI skills by 2030. The same principle applies to climate action. Our commitment to carbon neutrality by 2060, supported by Blueprint Bahrain, the National Energy Strategy, and the National Adaptation Investment Plan, reflects our determination to pursue a green, just, and inclusive transition. However, the right to development cannot be realized by countries acting alone. It requires international solidarity, partnerships, sustainable finance, and above all, peace and security. As a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2026-2027, Bahrain will continue to advocate for dialogue, cooperation, peaceful solutions, and an international order that enables all people to pursue sustainable development in conditions of peace and stability. Thank you.

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

Your Excellencies, distinguished delegates, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of His Excellency, Bala Ahmed Tinubu, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Nigeria joins the international community in commemorating the fourth anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Right to Development, adopted in 1986. This milestone provides an important opportunity to reaffirm that development is not a privilege, but a fundamental right of every individual and nation. For Nigeria, the right to development must translate into tangible improvements in the lives of our people. It means access to quality education and healthcare, decent employment, food security, affordable energy, social protection, and equal economic opportunities, particularly for women, young people, and vulnerable communities. 40 years after the adoption of the declaration, significant development gaps still exist. Many developing countries continue to face high debt burdens, inadequate access to affordable development finance, climate-related shocks, technological inequalities, and constraints within the international financial system. These challenges continue to limit the capacity of countries to achieve sustainable and inclusive development. Nigeria, therefore, calls for renewed international cooperation anchored on equity, shared responsibility, and genuine partnership. This global development architecture must provide developing countries with greater access to affordable and long-term financing, technology, capacity development, and opportunities for meaningful participation in the global economy. We further underscore the importance of reforming the international financial architecture to better reflect contemporary realities and the development priorities of developing countries. Efforts towards achieving the sustainable development goals must also recognize the need for adequate physical space and nationally owned development strategies. At the national level, Nigeria remains committed to pursuing reforms that promote inclusive growth, strengthen human capital, expand infrastructure, create decent employment, and improve the welfare of our citizens. In this regard, the federal government's ambition to build a $1 trillion economy by 2030 is not viewed merely as a measure of economic size, but as a pathway to expand productive capacity, mobilize investment, diversify the economy, and create broader opportunities for shared prosperity. This national ambition is complemented by the Renewed Hope Ward Development Program, which advances a bottom-up approach to development across Nigeria's 8,809 wards. By identifying local economic opportunities, supporting productive activities, strengthening livelihoods, and responding to community-specific development needs, the program seeks to ensure that national growth is

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

In the name of God, the compassionate, the merciful. Today, we commemorate the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Right to Development. It's an opportunity to renew our commitment to this basic right and to ask questions four decades later. How success have we achieved in translating from a declared objective into a tangible reality? Algeria reaffirms that the enjoyment of the right to development necessitates a comprehensive path that starts internally. Development is about the improvement of the life of citizens and to ensure equal opportunities and to reduce inequalities and to invest in human beings in this framework. Algeria, under the leadership of its President, Tabun, continues to support education, healthcare, housing, water, energy, and social protection networks, as well as investment in human capital. However, National resources, while necessary, might not be sufficient on their own. The right to development requires also a conducive and just international environment. Therefore, we believe that we need to move in three basic directions that are interconnected. First, reforming the international monetary system in a way that would enable the developing countries to have concessionary, predictable, and affordable financing for development while dealing with the debt burden. Second, narrowing the technological gap through technology and science and knowledge transfer, as well as the capacity building and the promotion of digital and scientific cooperation. Third, the promotion of cooperation between the countries of the South, as well as the international cooperation as a tool to achieve the sustainable development. Finally, we reaffirm our support for the efforts aimed at reaching a legally binding instrument on the right to development. 40 years later, it is time to move from declarations to implementation.

The microphone was cut off.

I thank the distinguished representative of Algeria. Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of India.

May I?

Chair, India appreciates the convening of this commemorative event marking the 40th anniversary of the Declaration of the Right to Development. The world has changed over the past four decades. The declaration's promise remain unfulfilled. Debt, distrust, and financial instability deprive states of resources. The legacies of colonialism and discrimination persist in unequal access to finance, technology, and representation in international institutions. Operationalizing the right to development is an urgent imperative. India was among the earliest champions of this right. It is embedded in our philosophy, constitutional framework, and welfare architecture. Several initiatives by Government of India, together with financial inclusion and India's digital public infrastructure, have empowered individuals, households, and enterprises, helping more than 250 million Indians emerge from multidimensional poverty over the past decade. Chair, in an interconnected world, national action alone is insufficient. The declaration requires meaningful international cooperation. India's development partnerships with the Global South are demand-driven and pursued through grants, concessional lines of credit, capacity building, and humanitarian assistance. We believe that we must reform the multilateral system and international financial architecture to prevent the reversal of development gains and ensure a voice of voice for developing countries. Discussion has been confined to whether the right to development is individual or collective. We must move beyond this binary. The right belongs to individuals and peoples alike, and brings civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights together to enable the full realization of human potential. India reiterates its support for the declaration and for the early adoption of the Covenant on the right to development. Thank you.

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

Mr. President, Four decades ago, we reaffirmed the right to development as an inalienable right of every person and nation. Yet poverty, exclusion and inequality continue to deny millions dignity and opportunity. Climate change, debt, shrinking development, finance, protectionism, technology divides and conflicts are eroding hard-won gains and widening inequalities. The COVID-19 pandemic has further deepened these challenges. The 2030 agenda renewed our commitment to the right to development, but sustainable development cannot thrive amid inequality and exclusion. Following restoration of democracy, our government adopted a pro-people policy for social and economic development. In our journey towards transformative changes, we uphold the spirit of Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. We are advancing our development agenda to empower every citizen through a targeted social protection initiatives including family cards, farmers cards and expanded access to free postgraduate education. We are bringing development benefits to every household. With women comprising nearly half of our population, we are committed to their full participation in development. But we are investing in our youth as partners in development. Guided by the vision of a rainbow nation, we seek to build an inclusion society where no one is left behind. Yet no nation can achieve the right to development alone. It requires shared commitment, responsibility, and action of all nations. It is now time to turn our pronouncement of declaration into action and shared prosperity. Bangladesh, therefore, proposes four priorities. First, to make global financial architecture fair, inclusive, and responsive to developing countries. Second, to deliver on development and climate finance predictably and equitably. Third, to ensure equitable access to all of all to technology and artificial intelligence and make them drivers of shared development. And finally, to adopt a legally binding framework that transforms the right to development from aspirations into accountability. I thank you all.

I thank the distinguished representative of Bangladesh. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Spain.

Madam President, to our excellencies, distinguished colleagues, it's a great honor for Spain to speak at this fundamental landmark. Four decades ago, the international community adopted a vision of universal justice with the human being at the very center of development policies. And although we can note that there have been vast examples of progress, if we look at where we are now, just a few years from the deadline of the Sustainable Development Agenda, we have to realize that progress has been unequal, jeopardized by successive crisis, with the structural imbalances in a system that has a legacy of asymmetries and a suffocating lack of funding. For Spain, the declaration is part of a vision that is holistic, intersectional, an inalienable right for people at the center. People drive and benefit from sustainable development and states with the responsibilities incumbent upon them have to protect, drive forward and guarantee that all human rights be ensured pursuant to the international obligations without any discrimination. We have to see that participation is not a dead letter, it's free, informed, active, so that men and women can be true decision makers. We can ensure the rights of indigenous peoples, those with disabilities, LGBT people, with no exceptions. Spain sees development as inclusive and sustainable. And we have a multidimensional, intersectional vision that requires consistent policies taking into account our citizens. We need real resources aiming at welfare and equality. When we consider our international commitments to human rights and sustainable development, we enter into commitments with promoting of women's rights, development, the right to food, because without real equality between men and women, without culture, without progress, looking at eradicating hunger, there can be no sustainable development. Following the International Conference on Development and the Seville Commitment, Spain had an opportunity to promote a new global funding contract, again looking at all the needs of our globe. The international financial architecture has to be governed by standards, ensuring real participation with adequate funding so that nobody be left behind. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Spain. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Norway.

Thank you, Madam President. I am pleased to make the Norwegian statement on the right to declare the development. I have three points to make. First, development and human rights goes hand in hand. They are not separate goals. You cannot fully achieve or sustain one without the other. Development is not charity, it is shared responsibility. We must create conditions for all people to live with dignity, realize their rights and have equal opportunities to succeed. This requires action from all of us, especially those with the greatest resources. Norway will continue to be a committed partner through political engagement, international cooperation, and with aid budget at a high level. Second, job creation is now the primary objective of Norwegian development policy. The most sustainable way out of poverty is a job. Work provides income, dignity, and opportunity. Aid remains important, but it is not enough. We must build economies that create jobs and enable countries to stand on their own over time. Norway has strengthened our tools, such as Norfund, our development finance institution, to support these efforts. We look forward to work with other partners to make it happen. Third, and my last point, gender equality. non-discrimination and inclusion are fundamental human rights principles. Recent setbacks and funding cuts are of big concern from us in Norway. We must not allow those at most risk of exclusion to be weakened. Human rights Gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and the rights of the LGBTQ+ persons must remain priorities. Norway will continue to stand up for women's rights, women's rights to decide over their own body, and human rights for all. Madam President, our message is simple. Developments must go hand in hand with human rights. create opportunities through job and ensure inclusion and dignity for all. Norway will continue to be a committed partner. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Norway. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mali.

Madame President, ladies and gentlemen, Forty years ago, the Declaration on the Right to Development was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. Many hopes were pinned on the Declaration by people all over the planet. The right to development is not a matter of charity, it's a matter of equity, of autonomy, and participation on the part of the majority of the world's people, Mali is unswervingly committed to implementing the 2030 agenda as well as the sustainable development goals, despite the persistent effects of a multidimensional crisis which has beset Mali for over a decade. We are less than five years away from the 2030 agenda. And for Mali, the main challenge is not just continuing SDG implementation, but substantively accelerating progress against the areas where progress is insufficient, locking in what we've achieved already. Implementing the SDGs must go beyond promises. This is why Mali has created Vision Mali Koura 2063, Implementing the national strategy for Malawi's emergence and sustainable development 2024-2033, undergoing a structural overhaul of our economy. Despite taxing conditions, we continue to exhibit resilience and SDG growth. GDP growth stood at roughly 6% in 2025. and a number of leading sectors drove growth. However, this trend is fragile given the structure of our economy, the size of the informal sector, as well as low local value added, as well as ongoing difficulties related to infrastructure, energy, hydro, and transport. The improvements we've seen on domestic resource mobilization reflects the government's ambition to progressively increase development funding out of national resources. In order to ensure everyone can live and enjoy good health and well-being, the government of Mali is continuing its efforts aimed at improving access to quality health services, in particular by making some basic health services free and improving community health clinics. As for employment, the government is trying to translate economic growth into decent, productive jobs, something that should benefit to young people and women first and foremost.

Under the speaker's microphone has been cut off.

The distinguished representative of Mali. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Azerbaijan.

Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, 40 years ago, the General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Right to Development, affirming that every person and all peoples are entitled to participate in and enjoy economic, social, and cultural, and political development. Reaffirmed in 1993 as a universal and inalienable human right, this declaration remains as relevant as ever. While significant progress has been achieved, Poverty, conflict, debt, and climate change continue to undermine development prospects for millions. Developing countries also face persistent gaps in access to finance, technology, and global markets. Development must remain at the heart of our collective efforts. Realizing this right requires national policies and enabling international environment based on solidarity, trust, and multilateralism. We must ensure that emerging technologies like artificial intelligence create opportunities for all rather than deepening inequalities. The United Nations plays a central role in strengthening international cooperation to narrow these gaps, and we support efforts to advance its practical realization, including through a legally binding international instrument. Azerbaijan remains firmly committed to this objective. during our 2019-2023 chairmanship at the Non-Aligned Movement, with strengthened solidarity among developing countries, ensuring their perspectives shaped international decision-making and prioritizing the operationalization of the right to development. At the Human Rights Council in 2023, Azerbaijan led the facilitation of the HRC resolution on submitting the draft International Covenant on the right to development to the General Assembly. We continue our sponsorship and support through voluntary contributions to the OHCHR. On climate action, Azerbaijan's COP29 presidency placed climate finance and support for developing countries at the center of global efforts. Having evolved from a beneficiary country to a provider of humanitarian and development assistance, we share resources, expertise, and innovative solutions, such as public service delivery models with partner nations. Looking ahead, we must move from reaffirming the right to development to delivering real progress. I thank you.

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

Madam Chairperson, my delegation would like to extend its appreciation to the President of the General Assembly for convening this high-level meeting to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development. My delegation aligns itself with the statements delivered by the Republic of Uganda on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Republic of Burundi on behalf of the African group, respectively. Since the adoption of the Declaration in 1986, several studies and reports have been issued by mandate holders and experts with a view to offer a comprehensive appraisal of progress, persistent gaps and emerging challenges in the realization of the right to development. Despite this right being clear in both substantive and procedural matter, the path to translating the declaration into binding international instrument took four decades. This raises legitimate concerns by developing countries when these commitments are delayed. The right to development as a fundamental human and people's right is deeply rooted in the African history. and development trajectory. In the same vein, in Ethiopia, our constitution clearly recognizes the right to development as enshrined in both the Declaration and the Banjul Charter. Our policies and strategies are human-centered and implemented with strong vigor to respond to the needs of the people. The OPE also underscores the need to rectify global structural inequalities and the need for meaningful participation of the global south in international economic governance. We also call on the international community to strengthen genuine international cooperation and provisional financing for development. The right to development is a fundamental human right by virtue of which every human being is entitled to participate in, contribute to, and enjoy economic, social, cultural, and political development. That's why the Declaration and the Draft Covenant on the Right to Development give emphasis to the integration of development and human rights. My delegation would like to reiterate its commitment to work with all member states and the mandate holders towards the realization of this fundamental right.

I thank you.

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

Madam Chairperson, dear friends, since the adoption of the Declaration 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. The under-five mortality rate has dropped to half its 2000 level. For the last 25 years, we have seen HIV/AIDS infection rates dropping. Yet today, those gains are under threat, particularly for those already furthest behind. The challenge before us is how we respond so as to leave no one behind. We are confronted with escalating food crises driven by conflict and climate change, and the impending super El Nino event, which could push at least 49 million additional people into acute food insecurity by the end of 2027. The alarm bells should be sounding as we witness democratic backsliding and waning attention to governance across the world, as well as an unprecedented pushback against human rights, including gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and the rights of LGBTQI+ peoples. The right to development cannot be realised without all human rights, which are universal, indivisible and mutually reinforcing. They must remain at the centre of our efforts and should never be subordinated to short-term political or economic considerations. An effective multilateral system has never been more needed. Yet, at that very moment we need it most, we are witnessing a retreat from the collective action that made the progress of the last decades possible. If we are to change course, we must renew and strengthen multilateral cooperation. That means making difficult choices and challenging established practices. We will shape the future of the international system, or will we allow financial pressures and short-term decisions to shape it for us? Our answer will have profound implications for the trajectory of global development in decades ahead. Our benchmark for success should be simple: are we delivering for those furthest behind? Addressing the enduring challenge of poverty remains essential. Without a clear focus on poverty, development efforts cementing inequality, instability and insecurity. The Declaration on the Right to Development remains as relevant as ever. It reminds us that development is fundamentally about people, their dignity, their rights and their ability to participate in the decisions that shape their lives. Therefore, we must recommit to make this declaration a living document, one that is relatable and accessible to all. The challenges, Chair, before us are immense, but so too is our collective capacity to address them. Thank you very much, Coimhheadh na dGaelach.

I thank the distinguished representative of Ireland. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Kuwait.

Sayid al-Rais.

Madam Chair, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, it is our pleasure to take part in this commemorative high-level meeting on the occasion of the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development, representing an important juncture in international affairs and reaffirming development as a basic right of all people everywhere, and a steadfast affirmation of these rights. The right to development is a comprehensive and international right that is inalienable and that is interlinked with all human rights. Man is the focus of development, the first participant, and the most beneficiary. We stress the importance of continuing efforts of reforming the international financial structure to make it more equitable and more accessible to developing nations, enabling them to achieve strong economic development in a comprehensive and equitable manner, promoting opportunities for investment and creating employment opportunities, thus combating poverty. Four, decades after the adoption of the declaration, the challenge is no longer another reaffirmation of the right, rather it's operationalization in a manner that makes development a reality for people, and so that all peoples have a fair opportunity to contribute to, participate in, and benefit from development. Thank you.

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

Madam President, 40 years ago, this Assembly affirmed that development is a right, not a privilege. The Declaration on the Right to Development places the human person at the centre of development. Development is not merely to benefit from progress, but to participate in, contribute to, and shape it. Nevertheless, four decades later, that promise remains under-delivered. Despite the remarkable economic and technological advances, advancement between developed and developing countries remain uneven, and inequality in wealth continues to grow. Conflict, climate change, debt vulnerabilities, and widening digital divides continue to constrain millions in developing countries. Malaysia has also sought to advance this agenda regionally. During our ASEAN chairmanship in 2025, ASEAN leaders adopted the ASEAN Declaration on promoting the right to development and the right to peace towards realising inclusive and sustainable development. Malaysia remains committed to multilateral cooperation and international solidarity. We will continue to engage constructively on the draft International Covenant on the Right to Development with a view to its subsequent adoption. As we commemorate 40 years of this declaration, our task now must work towards its realization and implementation. 40 years from now, history should not be judged by this declaration, excuse me, 40 years from now, history should not judge this declaration merely by the commitments we reaffirm, but by the lives we transform. Malaysia stands ready to work with all member states to make that promise a reality. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Malaysia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Madam President, for four decades, the Declaration on the Right to Development has provided an important framework for advancing development as an integral part of human rights. Its central message remains highly relevant today. Development is a comprehensive economic, social, cultural, and political process. in which the human person is the central subject, active participant, and beneficiary of development. The La Paz Charter attaches great importance to the realization of the right to development. This principle is reflected in our national development policies, which place the people and their well-being at the center of the development process. In this regard, the government has continued to pursue policies aimed at promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth, reducing poverty, improving livelihoods, and narrowing development gaps. Particular attention has been given to the improving access to quality education and healthcare, strengthening social protection, creating employment opportunities, developing infrastructure, and enhancing connectivity, especially for people living in rural and remote areas. We also continue to promote the participation of all segments of society in the development process, including women, children, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups, while working to ensure that the benefits of development are shared broadly and equitably. These priorities are being further advanced through our national development plans in alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. with the objective of building a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient economy and improving the quality of life of our people. The declaration also reminds us that national efforts must be complemented by an enabling international environment and effective international cooperation for developing countries, strengthen partnerships, adequate development financing, capacity building and access to technology remain important means for realizing the right to development and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. In conclusion, the Lao PDR reaffirms its commitment to the principles and objectives of the Declaration. We will continue to translate these objectives and principles into our national development policies and concrete actions with the well-being of our people at the center by working with the international community towards a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable future for all. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Lao People's Democratic Republic. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Congo.

Madam President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, At the outset, I would like to use this opportunity to pay a solemn tribute to Mr. Denis Sassou Nguesso, President of the Republic of the Congo, who, in his vision, makes the right to development an inalienable sovereign right, a matter of dignity. 40 years after we adopted this historic declaration, we must speak about it in a clear-sighted fashion. For many nations, the right to development is a far-off prospect. We've seen deepening inequality, tighter budgets, and unsustainable debt levels. Propelled by President Nussengisso, We would like to remind everyone that the right to development is not a legal abstract notion. It is a political, economic, and moral imperative. The Republic of the Congo is fully shouldering its responsibility as it seeks to fight climate change. In the Congo Basin, we are protecting one of the planet's biggest carbon sinks. This is a strategic choice. promoted by our President, and it lies at the heart of the right to development. No country can develop if we are to live on a degraded planet, and no country should be penalized for protecting its environmental heritage, which belongs to all of humanity. The Congo calls for debt cancellation to give a real chance to the SDGs so that we can see structured economic reform, and solidarity with other nations. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Congo. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Saudi Arabia.

Saeed Al Raisi.

Madam Chairperson, ladies and gentlemen, we participate in the 40th anniversary on the Declaration of the Right to Development. recalling the importance of this right, enabling men to benefit from economic and social development, as well as other means that promote fundamental rights and dignity. We believe that comprehensive and sustainable development is based on making men the focus of development work. enabling societies and including everyone in enjoying the benefits of development. At the national level, that right has become a legal obligation with a view to achieving economic and social development in a fair and equitable manner. We have taken many measures in this regard, including our Vision 2030, which encompasses reforms and developments at all levels, legislative, institutional, judicial, and administrative. They have also included the provision of social protection, the promotion of small and midsize businesses, developing the employment market, and expanding women's participation. Through our cooperation with the United Nations organizations, including the UNDP and the UNHCR, we make further efforts to establish an uninterruptible link between the right to development and all other rights and sustainable development objectives as well. Our commitment to this right is not confined to our national borders. Through our Saudi Development Fund, we have participated and assisted in many different vital fields such as education, health, water, energy, transport, and agriculture in other countries. Since the beginning of its activities in 1975, the Fund has provided 813 development loans to 102 countries with a view in a total of $22.5 billion. After four decades of adopting the declaration, The path to development must be done through our total solidarity and support. Thank you.

I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Eritrea.

Mr. President, Excellencies, Today, gathering offers an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment and reflect on our collective progress. More importantly, to confront the structural inequalities that continue to hinder the realization of this inalienable right. Over the past decades, advances in science and technology have held immense potential to bridge the development gap. Yet these opportunities remain concentrated in the hands of a few, while many developing nations remain excluded. This digital and structural divide is a feature of the current global economic structure, architecture, which continues to reflect structural imbalances that penalize developing nations. Unfair trade barriers, arbitrary financial restrictions, unsustainable debt burdens, and unilateral coercive measures make it difficult for Global South developing nations to choose independent policies that best suit their own needs. Instead, they are forced to follow rules designed by wealthier nations. Eritrea reiterates its firm position that TMS are incompatible with the United Nations Charter and violate the fundamental right of peoples to determine their own socioeconomic paths. Mr. President, to accelerate the realization of the right to development and to build a just and sustainable future, I wish to highlight the following points. One, respecting the right of states to chart independent political and development policies. Two, eliminating unilateral course of measures that restrict access to resources, technology, and the international markets. Three, restructuring multilateral financial and economic institutions to ensure genuine representation and fair rules for developing countries. Four, supporting the elaboration and adoption of a legally binding instrument on the right to development to impose accountability and concrete international obligations.

I thank the distinguished representative of Eritrea. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Iraq.

Thank you, Madam President. We'd like to express our appreciation for the holding of this high-level segment on the 40th occasion of the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development. 40 years after it was adopted, it continues to reaffirm that the right to development is a human right and that every person and every people have the right to participate in, contribute to, and benefit from development. We believe that development is not confined to economic development. It is rather a comprehensive process based on social justice, equity, respect for human dignity, and all other human rights. We also believe that peace and development are interlinked. There can be no sustainable development without security and stability. My country, Iraq, has faced immense challenges due to terrorism, armed conflict, displacement, destruction of the infrastructure, as well as the increasing effects of climate change. Nevertheless, We continue our efforts to rehabilitate the affected areas, diversify the economy, provide employment opportunities, and promote the participation of women in development. And we would like to reiterate that our national efforts deserve genuine international support. Developing countries need an equitable opportunity to have access to financing, technology, capacity building and access to international markets. Also, the international financial structure needs to provide further opportunity for their participation in a manner that is more just. We are facing other serious challenges, such as the scarcity of water, the desertification, the shrinking of arable lands, and increasing temperatures, all requiring the promotion of international cooperation, the upholding of pledges regarding climate financing, as well as bearing common responsibilities even when they are not equal. On this occasion, we would like to reiterate our commitment to transform the principles of the declaration into reality and call upon all international parties in a transparent and constructive manner to promote the international legal framework of that right. And we will continue to cooperate with member states and the United Nations with a view to making the right to development a reality for all peoples without distinction and without leaving anyone behind.

I thank the distinguished representative of Iraq. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Turkey.

Thank you, Chair, distinguished delegates. Turkey welcomes this high-level segment commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development. Forty years ago, the international community affirmed that development is an inalienable human right. This vision remains as relevant today, as it reminds us that economic growth must be accompanied by social justice. that technological progress must serve human dignity and that the national development priorities must be supported by an enabling international environment. Turkey's own experience illustrates the value of sustained people-centered development. Over the past decades, we have made substantial progress in reducing poverty, expanding access to health and education, and empowering women. We share this experience in a spirit of partnership, but at the same time recognizing that each country must pursue its own development pathway. Yet, development cannot be sustained without peace. When there is war and conflict, we not only suffer humanitarian losses, we also witness the destruction of the whole foundation of development. Excellencies, Turkey attaches particular importance to development challenges of the LDCs. We have consistently supported the development priorities of LDCs, including through our financial contributions to the UN Technology Bank for LDCs, our engagement in South-South cooperation, and our support for initiatives that strengthen access to science, technology, and innovation. We believe that the 40th anniversary is an opportunity to reaffirm that development is a right, not a privilege. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Turkey. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Peru.

Thank you, Madam President. Four decades after the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development, Peru wishes to state once again that development should be to the service of the dignity and welfare of all people and communities, and particularly those who are most vulnerable. The commemoration today is of particular importance for my country. We played an active part in drawing up the declaration as a member of the group of government experts dealing with it. As we recall our contribution, we emphasize that the real enjoyment of human rights requires, apart from their recognition, material conditions, institutional capacities, and government policies which make these rights reality. Therefore, development must show in the form of tangible improvements in people's lives, high quality education, accessible health services, social infrastructure, access to basic services, and opportunities for decent jobs. These are elements which are essential in order to ensure opportunities for citizens. Nationally, Peru is committed to strengthening its institutions to transparency, accountability, and also to the efficient use of public resources. This means also that there has to be active participation, which is free and meaningful participation of people in decisions which affect their development. Peru sees development as part and parcel of the greater framework of human rights law. Therefore, it is vital that promoting this contributes to achieving all human rights and fundamental freedoms, consistently with international obligations entered into by States, including those pertaining to civil and political rights. Peru states that we have an unwavering commitment to inclusive, sustainable development, which is people-based. We also appeal for strengthening international cooperation so that the hope enshrined in the declaration becomes reality for our societies, which can prosper without leaving anyone behind. Thank you.

I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Maldives.

Ms. Milahir Rahman Ibrahim. President, Excellencies, distinguished guests. 40 years after the declaration, the right to development has a clear meaning for the Maldives. Every country should have the freedom and capacity to shape its future. The ambition of the Maldives is equally clear. President Dr. Mohamed Muizz has set goals for the country to become a developed country by 2040. Achieving that goal requires sustained investment in our people, communities, infrastructure, and institutions. For the Maldives, resilience begins with investment. In practice, this means stronger schools and hospitals, adequate housing, reliable infrastructure, renewable energy, digital capacity, and new opportunities for our people. These investments will strengthen communities and give individuals greater security, opportunity, while increasing our national capacity to determine our own development path. Yet countries can only make these choices when they have the financial space to invest. Development finance is becoming harder to access and increasingly expensive. High borrowing costs and debt repayments reduce the resources available for education, health, infrastructure, and other investments. that directly improve people's lives. This is where international cooperation matters. Finance must become accessible, adequate, and affordable. The civil law commitment should be implemented, particularly its commitments on debt sustainability, concession of finance, and reform of the international financial architecture. Climate finance must become simpler and faster to access, especially for adaptation. The Antigua and Barbuda agenda for SIDS gives us another part of answer. Development cooperation must strengthen national institutions, expand domestic capacity and support solutions determined by the countries themselves. 40 years ago, the declaration recognized a right to belonging to every person. Today, our responsibility is to create the conditions in which people and countries can exercise the right. For the Maldives, that means having the space, capacity and finance to invest in our own future. That is how we build resilience. That is how we develop Delhi for development. I thank you. Wassalamu alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Maldives. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Portugal.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, the year 2026 marks two pivotal milestones. the 14th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development, and the 5th anniversary of the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, which proudly enshrines this fundamental right. Portugal firmly grounds the right to development in the universal, indivisible, and interdependent nature of all human rights. Individuals are the ultimate right holders, states the primary duty bearers. guided by the principle of leaving no one behind, our commitment to multilateralism remains unwavering. Excellencies, the protection of all human rights, civil, cultural, economic, political and social, defines our core priorities, eradicating poverty, advancing gender equality, addressing the climate emergency and navigating the digital transition. Through our development cooperation strategy 2030, Portugal continues to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Our official development assistance maintains a steady upward trajectory, with a strong focus on Portuguese-speaking African countries and Timor-Leste, while expanding across the Ibero-American region and the Pacific. Ladies and gentlemen, we know that there is no lasting peace without development, no development without human rights, and no development without adequate funding. Portugal remains fully committed to the financing for development agenda. We are pioneering innovative mechanisms, such as debt for climate swaps with Cabo Verde and Sao Tome and Principe, and scaling up triangular cooperation through our dedicated Portugal-Latin America Africa Fund. Furthermore, capacity building is essential. In partnership with the United Nations, Portugal has launched fellowship programs spanning ocean governance, digital transformation, and outer space, empowering states and individuals to drive inclusive, multi-stakeholder decision-making. Excellencies, to give concrete form to our values, between 2023 and 2025, Portugal allocated over 40 million euro in direct contributions to UN agencies and programs. 40 years after the adoption of this landmark declaration, Portugal stands ready to work with all partners to ensure that development ceases to be a privilege for the few and becomes a lived reality I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Portugal. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Palau.

President, Excellencies, 40 years after the adoption of the Declaration, perhaps the most important question is a simple one. What does the right to development actually mean in the lives of our people? In Palau, it means that a young person should be able to see a future and find opportunity at home. It means our people should have access to quality healthcare, education, and essential services, even when delivering them across a small island nation comes at a higher cost. And increasingly, it means ensuring that the development we have already achieved can withstand a changing climate. For Palau, this is a very real challenge. Our national planning includes relocating critical facilities, including our national hospital and vulnerable schools, away from areas exposed to climate risk, while strengthening water systems and other essential infrastructure. When a small country must use its limited resources not only to advance development, but also to protect what generations have already built, the right development takes a very practical meaning. But it is also about having a choice in that development. Development should not be simply measured by what we build. it should also be measured by whether our people can participate in shaping it, whether they benefit from it, and whether what we build can endure. For countries like Palau, however, national effort alone is not enough. Climate impacts, geographic isolation, limited capacity, and barriers to accessible development finance all affect how quickly, and in some cases, whether our ambitions can become reality. 40 years on, this is where the promise of the declaration must become practical. Palau knows the future we want for our people. What we seek is a fair opportunity to build it, protect it, and pass it on to the generations that follow. And that for us is the right to development. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Palau. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Sierra Leone.

Madam President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, Ladies and gentlemen, Sierra Leone is honored to join this high-level meeting as we commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development. This anniversary is both an occasion for reflection and a call to action. It reminds us that development must be inclusive, equitable, and grounded in the dignity of every person. Sierra Leone firmly believes that the right to development is a fundamental human right, one in which all people are participants, rights holders, and beneficiaries of progress. This principle guides our national development agenda and the implementation of Sierra Leone's medium-term national development plan, 2024 to 2030. Aligned with the sustainable development goals, the plan prioritizes inclusive growth, human capital development, resilient institutions, and sustainable economic transformation. Madam President, Sierra Leone is translating the commitment or this commitment into action by investing in education, health, and skills, skills development, strengthening food security, and domestic agricultural production, and expanding access to essential services and infrastructure. We remain committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of gender, location, disability, or social background, has the opportunity to learn, thrive, and contribute to national development. We are also working to improve agricultural productivity, nutrition, rural livelihoods, and resilience to external shocks. At the same time, sustained investments have helped expand access to basic drinking water services from 40.9% in 2000 to 68.1% in 2024, while access to electricity increased from 7.7% in 2000 to 35.5% in 2023. However, notwithstanding this progress, serious obstacles persist. Developing countries continue to face economic shocks, climate change, food insecurity, inequality, unsustainable debt, and limited access to finance and technology. Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals remain far behind what is required to achieve the 2030 agenda. We therefore call for predictable and adequate development financing, improved access to technology and capacity building, and a more equitable international economic system that respects national ownership and supports country-led development pathways. As we mark 40 years...

I thank the distinguished representative of Sierra Leone. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Russian Federation.

Madam President, distinguished colleagues, This year is particularly important. Forty years ago, the General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Right to Development, enshrining within it a key principle: development is a human right that belongs to everyone. Every human person is entitled to participate in social, cultural, political development. in which all human rights and fundamental freedoms can be fully realized. Every person also has the right to contribute to development and to benefit therefrom. That's what the Declaration proclaims. The right to development is human-centric, very much so. It cannot be measured using dry economic indicators. Genuine development equals the eradication of poverty, access to quality health care, education, and fulfilling the potential of each and every person. Against this backdrop, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action states that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent, and interrelated. This reasserts the fact that economic, social, and cultural rights cannot be seen as secondary to civil and political rights, as the realization of all categories of human rights are impossible without fully realizing the right to development. The right to development is coming up against unprecedented challenges. We are seeing a revised neocolonial approaches, former colonial capitals are trying to privatize human rights defense mechanisms. using them to engage in geopolitical blackmail, illegitimate sanctions pressure, and interference in the domestic affairs of states. At times, we hear from the collective West that the right to development cannot be deemed a legal category because its collective nature means that it is impossible to defend in judicial proceedings. But for the global majority, the right to development means the right to independently choose your economic model, to defend your sovereignty, and to manage your own natural resources without external orders being imposed on you nor attempts to artificially limit your competitiveness. Russia supports the global majority in its efforts to recognize and realize the right to development and to right the historic injustice done to developing countries. Development cannot be imposed from the outside. Genuine progress is based on respect for traditional values, national sovereignty, and special cultural and historical characteristics of states. Our common endeavor is a fair, multipolar world, free from a revival of neocolonial practices, which guarantees the right to the benefits of civilization for all, not just for a select few. The right to development is a right to a future. I thank you.

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

Madam President, Excellencies, colleagues, the Philippines welcomes the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development. We align ourselves with the statements of ASEAN, NAMM, and the Group of 77. We underscore the need for the full operationalization of the right to development as a central element of the international human rights and development architecture. For the Philippines, human rights and development are mutually reinforcing, interdependent, and indivisible. The right to development is a universal, inalienable, and integral human right, and its realization is essential to the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs. At the national level, this commitment is reflected in our Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, anchored on Ambisyon Natin 2040. The plan seeks to translate economic growth into better public services, greater opportunities, and improved quality of life, including through investments in health, education, social protection, food security, infrastructure, digital transformation, and climate resilience. Universal health care exemplifies this people-centered approach by seeking equitable access to quality health services and financial protection. Philippines also recognizes that development must be resilient to emerging and interconnected challenges. As an archipelagic developing country, particularly vulnerable to climate change and disasters, we're strengthening climate resilience and disaster risk reduction while pursuing sustainable growth. Digital transformation likewise offers opportunities to expand access and inclusion, provided that connectivity, digital literacy, innovation, and emerging technologies help bridge rather than deepen inequalities. We reaffirm that states bear the primary responsibility to promote full and equal enjoyment of the right to development, particularly for persons and countries in vulnerable situations. At the same time, international cooperation and solidarity are indispensable. South-South and triangular cooperation could further facilitate capacity building, knowledge sharing, and locally owned solutions. We therefore support continued efforts towards a legally binding instrument on the right to development with broad-based and universal support. The Philippines stands ready to engage constructively towards an outcome that strengthens implementation, accountability, policy coherence, and international solidarity, and advances a just, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for all. Thank you.

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

Present. Development is an eternal theme of human society. 40 years ago, the Declaration on the Right to Development affirmed that the right to development is an inalienable human right, breaking new ground in a global human rights cause. In today's world beset with growing challenges of geopolitical, conflicts, the North-South divide, and governance deficits, among others, it remains an arduous task to achieve development and human rights for all. We must work together in the spirit of the declaration to advance development and human rights for all. First, we must firmly defend the right to development. The right to development is interwoven with all other human rights. It's both a right of every human being and a right of all nations and their people collectively. A right approach to human rights is needed to ensure that the right to development is fully recognized and given equal attention and steer the international human rights governance in the right direction. Second, consider efforts are needed to advance common development. Only when people in all countries live well can there be an anchor for security. and a basis for human rights. We must put development first, accelerate the implementation of the 2030 agenda, safeguard and improve people's livelihood through development, eliminate poverty and inequality, and lay a solid foundation for human rights governance. Third, we must foster a fair environment for development. All countries have an equal right to pursue economic and social development and to bring better life to their people. We must uphold multilateralism, build balanced and inclusive development partnerships, jointly resist such practices as unilateral sanctions and tariff hikes, and improve human rights governance system. Fourth, we must unite to address development challenges. The right to development is ongoing course and never a mission accomplished. We should stake mutual openness and mutual learning to boost innovation as an engine of development. address properly emerging issues of AI, climate change, public health, and human rights, and actively advance the elaboration of the conventional right to development to close the gaps in human rights governance. President, the Chinese people have strived for development and the realization of the right to development and achieved tremendous results. China has continued to deepen international development cooperation, implement the Global Development Initiative, and advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, thereby injecting strong dynamism into sustainable development of the global South and the world. China stands ready to work with all parties to chart a course for the development cooperation and force, and together create a more prosperous and brighter future for the world. Thank you, President.

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

Thank you, Madam President, distinguished heads of state and government, honorable ministers, excellencies. We convene here to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development, recognizing that development is an inalienable human right. belonging to all individuals irrespective of nationality background or circumstance Madam chair in 2022 Sri Lanka suffered a major economic crisis while Sri Lanka has been recovering the country was affected by cyclone ditwa furthermore Sri Lanka is not immune to Global pressures that has caused an impact on its development agenda nonetheless Sri Lanka has persisted in its implementation of right to development at the national level. Sri Lanka stands equally invested in fostering development at the individual and community levels. The parliament of Sri Lanka currently holds the highest women representation in its history, creating more space for women and girls to be agents of change and leaders in our society. Moreover, based on our position that education is paramount in unlocking individual potential and fostering social mobilization, we have introduced reforms entitled, I quote, "Transform education, transform Sri Lanka," I quote, to increase vocational pathways, produce a more dynamic economy, and facilitate development across our island, starting from the household level. Madam President, as we near 2030, we must consider the progress we have made and the way forward in terms of the Sustainable Development Goals and whether our efforts remain aligned with the right to development. Sri Lanka strongly supports the adoption of the International Covenant on the Right to Development as an important step towards translating the universally recognized right to development into a meaningful and effective legal framework, and will continue to engage constructively towards this objective. I would like to conclude by emphasizing that the conditions for development do not arise in isolation. We have a responsibility as nations to work together in forums like this to commit to the right to development for all. We must reform the international financial architecture, work towards equitable access to concessional financing, encourage the sharing of technology, bridge the digital gap, and evolve our practices in line with the evolving world. Sri Lanka thus reiterates our support of the severe commitment, moving beyond GDP as a standalone measure of vulnerability, and our renewed optimism that UN80 initiative will create a more effective and responsive UN that works in harmony with national priorities and frameworks. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Sri Lanka. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Tunisia.

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

In the name of God, the compassionate and merciful, Madam Chair, Your Excellencies, it is my pleasure to participate with you in the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development, which constituted a turning point in establishing development as a human right and comprehensive right that is connected to all the other rights and a frame of reference for any international effort that aims at establishing peace and solidarity among states. We call for the continuation of the efforts that aim at eliminating the structural impediments to sustainable development, especially those related to the debt burden and the the high cost of funding and the widening digital gap, as well as the weak investment flows to developing countries. We attach special importance to education, health, the employment of youth, and to reduce the disparity between different sectors of the society as a basis for a comprehensive development where no one is left behind. Our commitment to the right to development is basic principle of my country. My country has submitted its voluntary annual report on the progress achieved in the achievement of the Agenda 2030 in the conference held in New York in July 2026. We continue our efforts in the field of social justice, the encouragement investment and the empowerment of women and the employment of youth in a manner that is consistent with our international and national commitments. We have accepted the development plan in 2076 on the basis of participation by all sectors of the society. When we commemorate the right to development, we believe that the right of self-determination is a on for the sustainable development. We cannot forget here the denial of the most basic rights to life and use of its resources of the Palestinian people as a result of occupation and siege and the policy of settlement and the genocide that must stop. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Tunisia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Nepal.

Madam Chair, 40 years ago the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Right to Development. placing the people at the heart of development. Yet, while human-centered development remains a top priority, we still have a long way to go to fulfill the aspiration of our people. Excellencies, History bears witness that poverty in any country of the world is a threat to prosperity everywhere. Non-inclusive growth perils progress for everyone, and a myopic and self-centered approach to development impedes not just environmental sustainability, but the life and livelihood of global community. But at this point, there are several challenges. And as we move on to more traditional as well as new challenges, including SDG currently is off track, we have limited resources and capacity and technology. On the top of this, rising geopolitical tensions, deepening climate crisis, and shrinking fiscal space have further crippled development pace. Thus, we require an even stronger political will and renewed global solidarity to provide impetus to our developing universe. Good governance and economic transformation are the topmost priorities of government of Nepal, but the recent devastation flood in Nepal has taught us that development must match the changing rhythm of nature. It has also taught us how climate-induced disasters can reverse hard-won development gains in minutes. In this context, excellencies, We need to discuss how can developed countries meaningfully support developing countries like Nepal, how can we make development finance accessible and consensual, and how technology transfer can be accelerated, how people at the grassroot level can meaningfully participate in the planning and implementation of development, and how justly they can enjoy the fruits of development. how local knowledge and resources can be effectively mobilized without jeopardizing the delicate balance of nature. In this context, let us remind us that this earth does not belong to human beings alone, nor does it belong solely to our generation. Therefore, I ask everyone to pledge today that the spirit and principle of declaration will be fully realized in every corner of the globe. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Nepal. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mongolia.

Excellencies, Mongolia joins the international community in commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development. For four decades, the declaration has affirmed a fundamental principle, development must be centered on people. Every person and all peoples should be able to participate in, contribute to, and benefit from development, with the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. The declaration has helped reinforce the understanding that development is not solely about economic growth, but also about expanding people's opportunities, participation, and well-being. Mongolia has consistently supported the universality and indivisibility of all human rights, including the right to development, and has recognized the centrality of human rights in development planning. This approach is reflected in our long-term development policy, Vision 2050, which places human development, respect for human rights, inclusive economic growth, and people-centered governance at the core of our development pathway. It also promotes participation and cooperation among the state, civil society, and the private sector, as well as citizen-centered digital public services. Distinguished delegates, as a landlocked developing country, Mongolia attaches particular importance to an enabling international environment that helps countries overcome structural constraints strengthen connectivity, diversify their economies, and participate more equitably in the global economy. National responsibility must therefore be complemented by effective international cooperation, access to finance, technology, and capacity building. Mongolia also believes that sustainable transitions must be just and people-centered. Our recent hosting of the UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar underscored the close connection between environmental sustainability, resilience, and the livelihoods and well-being of communities, including pastoralists and local communities. At the same time, digital transformation and artificial intelligence are reshaping development opportunities. These technologies should narrow inequalities rather than deepen them, expand access to services and knowledge, and contribute to human development. This also responds directly to the forward-looking questions identified for this high-level segment. Looking ahead, the right to development must be translated into measurable improvements in people's lives through inclusive institutions, meaningful participation, stronger international cooperation, and equitable access to finance, science, technology, and innovation.

I thank the distinguished representative of Mongolia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Madam President, the Declaration on the Right to Development adopted at the 41st session of the General Assembly represents the aspiration of developing countries to defend their independence and sovereign rights as well as to ensure their economic development. The declaration stipulates as a primary responsibility of each state to formulate national policy for realization of the right development. In DPRK, social, political, and economic right of all citizens are fully guaranteed by constitution. In DPRK, a great number of modern dwellings are built, both in capital city and rural area every year, to be allocated to people free of charge. Daily provision of the daily product of children and annual provision of the school uniform to school children are being regarded as a top priority of my government, while state assume full responsibility for bringing up children without parents. DPRK is devoting its full efforts to protection of the life of its people from global health crisis and natural disasters. What deserves particular attention is that all of this is being carried out under the harsh condition and difficult economic situation due to military pressure and economic sanctions of hostile forces. This is precisely here that integrity of the TPPA government's human right policy, which aimed at providing people with wealth.

Life, and high test dignity.

This is why our people place deep trust and pride in the government policy. Madam President, declaration on the right to development point out that international peace and stability are essential elements for the realization of the right development. right to development of the humanity is facing grave threat across the world due to hegemonic policy and geopolitical ambitions of the certain countries. DPRK is a peace-loving state and remain consistent with its desire to follow the path of independent development in peaceful environment free from aggression and interference. Government of DPRK will further consolidate and develop its social system and will actively join international community in their efforts for training, promotion and protection of the human rights.

I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Uruguay.

Thank you very much, Madam President. Your Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, Uruguay states once again that it is firmly committed to the protection and promotion of all human rights, civil and political rights, economic, social and cultural rights. These include the right to development and also fundamental freedoms. We state once again that we espouse principles of universality, interdependence and indivisibility. indivisibility for all rights. The development agenda and the human rights agenda are inextricably linked. It's not possible to talk of sustainable development without a multidimensional approach which places people and their rights centre stage. Development cannot be measured solely in terms of economic growth. It means extending opportunities and the abilities for people to live with dignity and fully to participate in society and effectively to exercise their rights. This means we have to continue working on gender equality, ensuring the full and effective participation of women in economic, social, and political life. Development and human rights must not be promoted one to the development of the other, but rather in a complementary fashion, as they must reinforce one another. A declaration on the right to development, despite the fact that it's not binding, is a fundamental benchmark guiding states in their agendas, as is true also for the 2030 agenda. these remind us that development is also a process in which everybody, all peoples can participate, contribute and benefit from the results. Uruguay traditionally has been a welfare state and we've managed to continue in this direction by means of a government policy extending rights and opportunities, reducing poverty, providing social protection, access to health and education, digital inclusion and also gender equality. All of this in framework of stability and legal certainty based on strong institutions and the rule of law. At the same time, we do acknowledge that development is a continuous process and that there are many challenges, sometimes structural, particularly when it comes to inequality, poverty, particularly child poverty. We need to continue and deepen all our efforts to ensure that everybody benefits from development, nobody is left behind. Internationally, we appeal to the international community to remain united and focused on fulfilling the commitments for development embraced in the 2030 Agenda and similar international instruments, as well as to implement our obligations when it comes to human rights. We once again state how important international cooperation is in an international climate which fosters development. Current challenges, including climate change, inequality, economic crisis and conflict, show our interdependence.

Madam Chair, the speaker is cut off.

Distinguished representative of Uruguay. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Thailand.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Thailand reaffirms its commitment to the right to development as a universal and inalienable human right. Development is not only about economic growth, it is about ensuring that all people can participate in, contribute to, and benefit from sustainable and inclusive development. Thailand believes that development, peace, and human rights are mutually reinforcing. The implementations of 2030 agenda and sustainable development goals remains essential to advancing the right to development and ensuring that no one is left behind. Today, the UN face multiple and interconnected challenges, including poverty, inequalities, climate change, food, energy, securities, and public health crisis. At the same time, rapid technological transformation, including artificial intelligence and digital revolutions, presents both opportunities and risks, particularly as digital divides continue to widen within and among countries. These challenges are further compounded by geopolitical tensions and increasing pressures on multilateral systems. As these challenges are likely to intensify, the international community must strengthen the capacity of the UN to deliver effective and inclusive solution through renewed multilateralism, solidarities, and partnerships. In this regard, financing for development remains critical. Developing countries need greater access to affordable and predictable financing, capacity building, and resilient infrastructure to achieve sustainable development. We must also ensure that benefits of science, technology, and innovation are shared equitably. Reform of global governance is also needed to better reflect contemporary realities and ensure that the voice of developing countries are equitably represented. international institutions must be more inclusive, transparent, effective, and responsive to addressing global challenges. And with this, Thailand proposed three actions for the way forward. First, we must place people at the center of development and promote equality, inclusive inclusion, and resilience. Second, international cooperation must be strengthened in addressing all challenges. We must also advance inclusive and equitable AI governance that promote innovations while ensuring transparency, accountability, safety, and access to benefits of emerging technologies, particularly for developing countries. First, we must revitalize the UN and strengthen global governance to support sustainable development and restore confidence in multilateral system, including through South-South and triangular cooperation, as well as regional efforts such as ASEAN. Thailand remains committed to working with all member states and advancing the right to development and build more equitable and sustainable future for all. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Thailand. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Paraguay.

Buenas tardes. Good afternoon. Paraguay joins in this commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development, which was adopted in 1986. We see this as a landmark which places human beings at the very center of development, and in it, development itself is recognized as an inalienable human right. For Paraguay, the right to development must be considered holistically, inclusively. It cannot be reduced to economic indicators. It must mean better opportunities for people, real access to education, health, dignified work, social protection, and basic services. And there must be conditions that enable everybody individually fully to develop their capacities. This view brings about real results in recent years. looking at the people in Paraguay in a situation of poverty has been reduced by 402,000 people. In the same period, the multidimensional poverty was reduced by 250,000 people. Paraguay moves towards a social inclusive dignity for everybody. Over these four decades, our country has realized that development means international cooperation and participation with real equity as we stand together. For Paraguay, as a developing state without a coast, we are against the obstacles identified in the declaration. We need a favorable economic environment, financing mechanisms, and shared responsibility among states to overcome the geographical and economic constraints on the full realization of development. Forty years down the road from the Declaration on the Right to Development, we have to renew our commitments to development which is human-based. But we also have to acknowledge that there is no single road towards development. Each country has to look at the necessary conditions, the area it has as it defines its own priorities, both political and strategic. These must be in accordance with their national circumstances and in full respect of their international obligations. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Paraguay. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cambodia.

Madam President, Excellencies, Cambodia welcomes this commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development reaffirms the right of every person and all peoples to participate in, contribute to, and benefit from development. For Cambodia, the lesson of the past is not abstract. Within living memory, our country endured a genocidal regime that took the lives of an estimated quarter of its population, and then more than a decade of civil war. We emerged from that as a resilient nation. We know what it costs when development is denied, and we know that peace is the foundation on which everything rests. Millions have been lifted out of poverty. Cambodia had to rebuild every institution from nothing-- finance, health, education, agriculture, civil service. Every one of them has advanced since. Under the Pentagon Strategy Phase 1, Cambodia is advancing growth, employment, equity, efficiency, and sustainability. Regionally, the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration adopted in Phnom Penh in 2012 affirmed the right to development as an inalienable human right. Last year in Kuala Lumpur, Cambodia joined fellow ASEAN leaders in adopting the ASEAN Declaration on Promoting the Right to Development and the Right to Peace. reaffirming that every human person and all peoples are both active agents and beneficiaries of development and that peace and inclusive, sustainable development are inseparable. National efforts alone are not sufficient. The full realization of the right to development also requires a favorable international economic environment, international cooperation, equitable economic relations, financial and technological support, the effective participation of developing countries in international decision making and respect for international law. Madam President, inclusive participation is imperative as we face the new challenges and opportunities of this age. Artificial intelligence is one area and not the only one. Its rules are being written now and developing countries are not yet fully represented in that work. A governance framework that is safe, responsible, and inclusive is best built with all of us in the room. 40 years on, our task is to move from declaration to implementation, from principles to measurable progress, and from opportunities promised to opportunities shared. Cambodia stands ready to work with all member states to that end. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Cambodia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Ghana.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. Given the fact that most of the principles of the right to development have been covered by my predecessors and colleagues, I'll go directly to the heart of my presentation and be as brief as possible. Ghana aligns itself with the statements delivered on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement and the African Group. Forty years ago, this Assembly affirmed the inalienable right of every person and all peoples to participate in, contribute to, and benefit from development. That promise remains our guiding standard. Development must uphold human dignity, expand opportunities, and advance all human rights. Africa's commitment, enshrined in the African Charter on Human Rights and People's Rights, finds expression in Agenda 2063 and an aspiration for an integrated, peaceful, and prosperous continent by 2063. Ghana's 1992 constitution guides our pursuit of equitable development. We are translating this commitment into an action through a number of programs, including the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty, National Health Insurance Scheme, free senior high school, supporting vulnerable households and widening access to healthcare and education, as well as recently, a major initiative by the president to reduce maternal deaths. Our infrastructure, digital transformation, and 24-hour economy program seek to expand production and create decent jobs. Their access must be measured by improvements in people's lives, not just statistics. National efforts require an enabling international environment. Ghana, therefore, calls for reforms of international financial architecture, affordable development financing, and timely debt restructuring, allowing countries to invest in their people. We reaffirm the right of people to determine their development priorities and exercise sovereignty over their national wealth and resources. Communities must help shape decisions affecting them and share fairly in the benefits of development. Digital transformation and the transition to greener economies must also widen opportunities and protect livelihoods. Mr. President, Let this anniversary renew our commitment to practical action. We must judge progress by reduced poverty, access to essential services, and decent work for all. 40 years after the declaration's adoption, our shared responsibility is to make this promise a reality for all. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Ghana. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Tajikistan.

Madam President, Tajikistan welcomes this high-level segment commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development. Let me share with you several priorities of my country when it comes to the right to development. First, the right to development must be translated into national ownership and real opportunities. This means investing in people, education, health, science, and technology, while ensuring the meaningful participation of women, youth, and local communities. It also requires an enabling international environment including adequate and predictable financing, capacity building, and technology transfer for developing countries. Second, water is one of the clearest tests of the right to development. The latest UN report confirmed the progress is possible, but remains too slow and uneven. Achieving universal access to safely managed drinking water by 2030 would require an eightfold acceleration, while sanitation would require a sixfold acceleration. For mountain and glacier-dependent countries, water is also a question of climate justice, food security, and human security. The melting of glaciers affects not only mountain communities, but millions of people downstream. 2028 UN Water Conference in Dushanbe should become, therefore, a milestone for shaping a stronger international water agenda beyond 2028, including through the proposed Dushanbe Water Framework. Third, the right to development must guide the transformations ahead. Digital technologies, artificial intelligence, climate action and energy transitions must reduce inequalities, not deepen them. Tajikistan initiative on safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence reflects our belief that innovation must remain inclusive, responsible and accessible to all countries. Tajikistan stands ready, Madam President. to work with all Member States to place the right to development at the center of multilateral cooperation. Let us ensure that development is not merely a promise for tomorrow, but a lived reality for all people today.

I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Tajikistan. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of United Arab Emirates.

Madam President, it gives us pleasure to participate in this high-level segment on the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development. This occasion is an opportunity to reiterate a principal position, that is, Development is a right to all people. Enabling people and affording access to them is extremely important, particularly through practical means that could lead to sustainable development. Based on our experience, we believe that the right to development requires changes that are commensurate with the world of today. And in this, we'd like to focus on three points. Providing technological assistance to bridge the digital gap amongst nations. Emerging technologies are capable of accelerating our efforts in all vital fields such as food, health, education, et cetera. Second, we should protect the cornerstone of development, that is trade, energy, and the environment. We cannot achieve development without these three basic tenets. with a view to achieving economic development and prosperity. Three, to move from assistance to investment. And we believe that new models of development cooperation that go beyond immediate needs is required, as well as long-term partnerships that enhance economic interaction and assist in the establishment of strong infrastructure on a wider base and through the investment in the proper fields. Vital fields such as education, health, technology, and the environment can all help in achieving genuine development through long-term partnerships. We have combined our assistance for development to focusing on these main fields. We reaffirm.

The United Arab Emirates. There are many speakers remaining on the list. There are many speakers remaining on the list, and we may not be able to hear all statements before we adjourn at 6:00 p.m. Delegations are kindly requested to submit their statements to e-statements@un.org to be posted in the UN Journal. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Sudan.

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Say that.

Madam Chair, Excellencies, peace be upon you. Sudan welcomes the convening of the high-level meeting to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration on Right to Development. We hope that our discussions today will give more new impetus for the national, regional, and world steps that would focus on multilateralism and cooperation in this field. Sudan believes that the right to development is a basic right, is a human right, and is necessary to achieve the sustainable development goals. It is also an important factor in eradicating poverty and hunger. This makes it incumbent upon us to use an inclusive approach through global and regional cooperation under the -- with the United Nations, its organizations, and the international financial institutions. We reaffirm the need for a legally binding instrument that makes the right to development a reality. The way of dealing with different crises in the developing countries is attributable to the inequality among different countries. The unilateral economic sanctions run counter to the UN Charter because such unilateral sanctions have led to severe crises in these in the developing countries and they constitute a violation of human rights. In the exceptional circumstances in which Sudan finds itself, we reiterate our commitment to the right to development, taking into account that international partnership must be based on equality and non-discrimination and the respect of the sovereignty of states and the right to select their developmental path that is commensurate with their own conditions. We reiterate that the sustainable development is something that requires building capacity and increasing the ability and resilience and dealing with crises and conflicts, so as to make the response collective among all states. Thank you.

Representative of Sudan. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Islamic Republic of Iran.

Thank you, Madam President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. The international community took a historic step 40 years ago by affirming that development is not merely an economic objective, nor is it a privilege for some. The adoption of the UN Declaration on the Right to Development in 1986 established a fundamental principle. Every human being and all peoples have the right to participate in, contribute to, and benefit from development. Forty years later, we are not gathered here merely to commemorate that achievement. We have to rather ask a fundamental question. Have we created the necessary international conditions for the right to development to become a reality for all? Excellencies, the issue of unilateral coercive measures is an undeniable case in point. Such measures can restrict access to financial resources, equipment, investment, scientific knowledge and advanced technologies. For developing countries, however, the consequences can extend far beyond the immediate political dispute. The loss of access to technology today may mean the loss of productive capacity, scientific expertise and development opportunities tomorrow. Excellencies, the right to development cannot be realized without the protection of fundamental rights to life and health. The absolutely unlawful war waged by the Zionist and US regimes against the Islamic Republic of Iran has demonstrated the devastating consequences that attacks on civilians and health infrastructure can have on these rights. Medical and emergency facilities, hospitals, ambulances, pharmaceutical and vaccine production facilities, medical research institutions, and humanitarian personnel have all been severely damaged and attacked. Such unlawful military aggression has continued by the US naval blockade, together with disruptions to essential health and pharmaceutical supply chains, not only caused immediate loss of life and human suffering, but also undermined the long-term capacity of a country to provide essential health care, produce medicines, retain specialized human capital, and protect the health of its population, particularly groups with special needs. The same pattern of destruction inflicted upon my country extends beyond health infrastructure to schools, universities, scientific and research institutions, cultural heritage, media organization, and sport facilities, with serious implications for the enjoyment of economic, social, and cultural rights. These consequences demonstrate that the protection and realization of the right to development cannot be achieved without holding accountable those who violate the very essence of development through belligerence, wars, and occupation. Thank you, Madam.

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

Thank you, Madam President, Your Excellencies, distinguished delegates. Costa Rica joins in this commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development. We believe that its main principle is still entirely relevant. Everybody should be able to play an active part in development, contribute to it and benefit from its results. 40 years on, challenge is still to ensure that this principle becomes real opportunities for all. Our experience in Costa Rica has shown us that development depends on sustained public decisions, investment in health, education, protection, social protection, extending the opportunities for our people. Here we need able institutions, resources and opportunities. If we we look at the lack of biodiversity, climate change, pollution, we see these affecting living conditions and the possibilities development. AI digitalization can open opportunities, provided that we look at the gulfs and access the abilities of humans. We need a a full image of our country. When we look at development, figures can obscure problems when it comes to public financing, adaptation to climate change, and protection of the biodiversity. Costa Rica believes that international cooperation must deal with real needs. We need access to knowledge, to technology. as well as funding which enables countries to invest in their priorities for sustainable development. Madam, observing the declaration means that people can study, have healthcare, have dignified work, flourish in a clean and healthy as well as a sustainable environment. The right to development is there when these opportunities are available to everybody. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Costa Rica. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Holy See.

Madam President, the Holy See welcomes today high level meeting to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development. This declaration identifies the individual person as the focus and beneficiary of the right to development, with the state as the primary duty bearer. It also explicitly connects this right to the obligation of international cooperation to support states in their duties as their primary promoters and protectors of the individual's right to development. The right to development is rooted in the God-given dignity of each person, from conception to natural death, regardless of age, nationality, race, religion, ethnicity, sex, or disability. Article 14 emphasizes that for individuals as well as for nations, development is both a duty and a right. Minimum conditions are required for enabling every person and people to flourish in accord with their dignity without being kept in a state of dependence or excluded from access to necessary goods. 40 years after the adoption of the declaration, These minimum conditions remain out of reach for too many. Poverty, food insecurity, conflict, climate change, and debt burdens are among the obstacles that hinder the exercise of the right to development. This right is realized through renewed and concrete action and international cooperation guided by solidarity and the recognition of the shared responsibility. States, particularly those facing the greatest structural challenges, should have access to the financial, technological, and human resources necessary to advance the development of their peoples. Such cooperation should empower women and men to become the true protagonists of their own development. Madam President, today's commemoration provides a timely opportunity to reaffirm the commitment to a genuine human development rooted in dignity, sustained by solidarity, and then the flourishing of every person.

Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of policy. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the African Union, and to be followed by the observer for the League of Arab States, who will be the last speaker for this meeting.

Madam President, as we commemorate the 40th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Right to Development, 40 years on, we are challenged to rethink how we measure progress, not by economic growth alone, but by whether people are able to shape, contribute to, and benefit from development in dignity and on an equal basis. It reminds us that development is inseparable from human rights, that freedom must be matched by opportunity, and that national responsibility must be reinforced by international solidarity. Indeed, before the world adopted the declaration, Africa had already translated the right to development into binding regional law. In 1981, the OAU, predecessor of the African Union, adopted the African Charter on Human and People's Rights. The charter entered into force on 21 October 1986, and Article 22 gave the right to development a binding regional legal expression. The jurisprudence of African human rights mechanisms It subsequently affirmed the practical meaning of this right. Development must be pursued with communities through participation, consultation, inclusion, and equitable benefit sharing. Today, the right to development provides a unifying framework for responding to some of the defining challenges of our time, conflict, climate shocks, debt distress, inequality, and digital exclusion. Agenda 2063 and the UN 2030 Agenda provide complementary pathways for translating this vision into measurable progress. The African Union's 2026 theme further reminds us that water and sanitation are not merely development sectors. They are enablers of health, education, gender equality, livelihood, resilience, and peace. Through the joint AU-UN human rights framework, the AU's high-level dialogue and steering committee are also strengthening early warning, national human rights institutions, business and human rights, and human rights compliance in peace operations. Looking ahead, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and just transition to profoundly shape development. But technology cannot become a new source of exclusion. These transformations must be governed by equality, participation, transparency, and accountability. Our priorities must therefore include affordable and meaningful connectivity, digital skills, strong data protection, human rights impact assessments, African innovation, and the fair sharing of technological benefits. A robust international covenant on the right to development can help clarify responsibilities and strengthen common standards.

And most importantly--

I thank the distinguished representative of the African Union. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of League of Arab States.

Thank you, Madam President. It gives me pleasure to participate with you in this 40th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development. Development is not a gift or a privilege. It's a basic right for all peoples and individuals. And the question is, how could we realize that right while we live in ever-expanding gaps, increasing debt burdens, conflagrating conflicts, and climate change, as well as new challenges amongst nations and societies. We consider development a basic cornerstone of peace and stability. Our Vision 2045 provides a framework for that concept towards an Arab region that is more prosperous and innovative. The challenge we face now is to turn this vision into a reality felt by Arab citizens. However, to speak of development in our region cannot be separated from the reality of occupation and armed conflict. There is no clearer example than the Palestinian people. We cannot speak of development while this people is denied its right to self-determination, whose life is being destroyed, and who is denied sovereignty on its land and resources. The right of the Palestinian people to development is part and parcel of its right to self-determination and the establishment of its independent state. 40 years after the adoption of the declaration, it is not only required to reaffirm that right, however, to find the means to make it a reality, to enhance hope amongst people and aspiration to a better future as a regional and international responsibility on us all. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the League of Arab States. We have heard the last speaker for this meeting. The high-level meeting to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development is now concluded. The meeting is adjourned.