EU Statement – UN General Assembly 3rd Committee: Interactive dialogue on the Right to development

Mr. Special Rapporteur,

The European Union would like to thank you for your report and wishes you every success in your new functions.

The EU, by endorsing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, our shared global roadmap, makes the eradication of poverty and the achievement of sustainable and inclusive development worldwide by 2030 a priority, including by addressing the needs of those furthest behind first.

The EU adopts a human-rights based approach to sustainable development, which focusses on efforts that reduce inequalities in accordance with the principles of equality and non-discrimination. Likewise, the full realisation of all human rights for all is a condition to achieve inclusive and sustainable development.

The right to development is rooted in the universality, indivisibility, interrelation, and interdependence of all human rights. States have the primary responsibility for the full realisation of human rights, and individuals are the right-holders as well as the central actors, drivers, and beneficiaries of the development process. Development contributes to the enjoyment of other human rights when implemented in accordance with international human rights norms and principles. The pursuit of development can never justify violations of human rights.

Mr. Special Rapporteur, you mention in your report that businesses have an active duty to protect human rights, going beyond a "do no harm" approach, inter alia by conducting human rights due diligence.

Can you give an example of a best and worst practice in this regard? Linked to that, you recommend that States ensure a free civic space to conduct meaningful human rights due diligence. What measures can states take to ensure free civic space?

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Secondly, the European Union thanks the Chair-Rapporteur of the Expert Mechanism for the annual report.

Achieving sustainable and inclusive development is among the EU's political and policy priorities. Collectively, the EU and its Member States have provided EUR 92.8 billion in 2022, which represents 43% of global Official Development Assistance. We unequivocally support partner countries in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is indeed grounded in international human rights law and emphasises the obligations of all States to respect, protect and fulfil human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction of any kind.

We would like to stress that inclusive and sustainable development can only be achieved through the full enjoyment of all human rights, be they civil, cultural, economic, political, or social, by all. As your report rightly underlines, the implementation of the right to development cannot be seen purely through an economic lens.

The EU takes note of the report and thematic studies. We have always engaged in a constructive spirit in the discussions with this Expert Mechanism and will continue to do so.

I thank you.