Statement by India during High-Level Meeting commemorating the thirty-fifth anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development at the 52nd Session of Human Rights Council (27 February – 4 April 2023) delivered by Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey, Permanent Representative of India, Geneva, 01 March 2023
Madam Vice-President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates,
We commend the OHCHR for organizing this High-level Meeting and thank the distinguished panelists and High Commissioner for their insightful presentations. We also thank the Special Rapporteur, the Working Group and Expert Mechanism for their valuable work.
2. Even though over thirty-six years have passed since we adopted the UN Declaration on the Right to Development, the requisite commitment to implement this right has been lacking, as pointed out by the eminent panelists.
3. In view of the current global scenario, we believe that it is an opportune time to address the challenges which we face in implementation of the Right to Development. It is imperative to operationalise the UN Declaration on the RTD, with a view to achieve inclusive and sustainable development. In this regard, reaching consensus on a legally binding instrument on the Right to Development should be our primary objective. We believe that full implementation of the Right to Development will enable and ensure enjoyment of other basic human rights.
4. Madam Vice-President, India has attached a high priority to inclusive and sustainable development, which has also informed and inspired our developmental cooperation and partnerships with other countries, which is based on their developmental priorities.
5. We have always given a high importance to South-South cooperation and, during India’s Presidency, we have focused on highlighting the concerns and priorities of the global South. In this regard, PM Modi had convened a Virtual Summit of Global South last month in which 120 countries had participated.
6. With a view to contribute to implementation of Right to Development, we stand ready to share our developmental experiences and capacities with the fellow developing countries in the spirit of India’s civilizational ethos that sees the whole world as one family.
I thank you Madam Vice-President.
