CD4Peace Statement on the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development

The Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development was held between 3-5 November in Palais des Nations. The meetings consisted of the presentation of two field studies on the duty to cooperate, presentation of two thematic studies and the implementation of the mandate and work program.

The expert mechanism is currently consisting of experts from Albania, Belgium, Brazil, India and Nigeria. Countries that participated during the meeting were supportive of the mandate. The European Union did initially not support the expert mechanism but is working for the right to development and one example of that was the European Union’s efforts to the COVAX program.

Field studies in Peru and Ethiopia was carried out on the duty to cooperate. The consultant from Peru highlighted the importance for businesses and government to cooperate and there needs to be a common framework to regulate practices in the country. The consultant from Ethiopia stressed the importance of creating local jobs, rather than letting foreign companies establish themselves in foreign countries. In order for the duty to cooperate to be realised, there must be meaningful and constructive engagement among and between actors.

One of the thematic studies was on “racism, racial discrimination and the right to development” which was warmly welcomed by countries and NGO’s. Venezuela called for the study to go beyond research and to include the role of unilateral cohesive measures used against countries. The other thematic study was on “inequalities and the right to development”. Here the discussion centered on how the pandemic has exacerbated inequalities around the world.

CD4Peace realizes the importance for every individual and country’s right to development. As many experts stated, in the context of recovering from a pandemic, stakeholders need to prioritize this right. Everyone has the right to live a meaningful life, which cannot be realized without the equal right to development.