UNGA78: Third Committee: Right to development – Explanation of vote

Statement delivered by First Secretary, Emily Buist-Catherwood

Thank you Chair. I have the honour to deliver this explanation of vote on behalf of Switzerland and my own country New Zealand.

We fully support the goal of realising the right to development for all. We reiterate our unwavering support to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which builds on the Declaration on the Right to Development, and its implementation.

For us, human rights and development are inextricably linked. The right to development is firmly based on the universality, indivisibility and interdependence and interrelatedness of all human rights. States have the primary responsibility for ensuring that the right to development is realised for their own citizens, with the individual being the active participant and beneficiary of this right.

We remain concerned that this resolution includes unclear concepts that risk undermining the universality of human rights, and that suggest a hierarchy of human rights.

To achieve global progress on the right to development, it is crucial that we work to reconcile current divisions and find a common narrative.

While we do not believe a new legally binding instrument on the right to development would be an appropriate mechanism for progress, we acknowledge that the Human Rights Council has recently submitted a draft covenant to the General Assembly for consideration.

In our view, international consensus is lacking on whether a legally binding instrument is neccessary, and existing human rights treaties already provide comprehensive protections for human rights.

If a draft international covenant on the right to development is to be considered by the General Assembly, this should include whether such a covenant is necessary, and whether there is sufficient consensus for it to continue to be developed, and if so how. The views of all UN member states should be taken into account.

There continues to be diverging views on this right and its implementation, and it will be important that we work together to find pragmatic solutions on those areas where further common agreement is needed.

It is for these reasons that Switzerland and my own country New Zealand have voted against this resolution. We hope that a consensual approach can be found.

I thank you.

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