Other Statements Other Statements

Fifth Session of the

Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development

9 March 2022

 

Thank you, Mr. Chair

 

Let me begin by congratulating you for your election as the Chair of the 5th session of the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development.

 

Mr. Chair

 

2. India has always been one of the strong proponents of the Right to Development. We had supported the HRC Resolution 42/23 which had mandated to establish the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development.

 

3. The Expert Mechanism has an important mandate of providing the Council with thematic expertise on the Right to Development in searching, identifying and sharing best practices with Member States and to promote the implementation of the Right to Development worldwide.

 

4. COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the existing poverty and inequalities, affecting people in the most vulnerable situations. We underline that implementation of the Right to Development can play an important role in recovery from the pandemic, in realization of SDGs and building back better.

 

5. In spite of COVID-19 pandemic, India has continued its focus on realisation of its goal of inclusive and sustainable development.

 

Mr. Chair

 

6. India attaches high priority to inclusive and sustainable development, which has also informed and inspired our developmental cooperation with other countries, which is based on their developmental priorities. Our global developmental cooperation encompasses grant-in-aid, lines of credit, capacity building, training and technical assistance. At multilateral level, we have established the India-UN Development Fund to strengthen our developmental cooperation with the developing countries.

 

7. We appreciate the Expert Mechanism for its Study on operationalizing the right to development in achieving the SDGs. We take note of the thematic studies undertaken by the Expert Mechanism and look forward to the report on racism, racial discrimination and the right to development.

 

8. India fully supports the elaboration of a draft legally binding instrument on the Right to Development and look forward to constructive discussions. The proposed legal framework would support for more assistance to the States in several areas which, inter alia, are extension of financial assistance; an equitable international trade; climate justice actions; access to technology; full realization of rights-based policies, etc.

 

Mr. Chair

 

9. We reiterate our firm support to regular interaction among the Expert Mechanism, the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development and the Working Group on the Right to Development as to achieve synergy in their work.

 

10. India would like to seek the comments of the Expert Mechanism on the support services being provided by OHCHR to this mechanism for its work and whether the pandemic has also had an impact on this front.

 

11. In conclusion, we firmly resolve our commitment to the promotion and implementation of the Right to Development and looking forward to discussions this week.

 

I thank you, Mr. Chair