Background

In its resolution 39/9, the Council decided that the Working Group, at its twentieth session, should commence the discussion on the elaboration of a draft legally binding instrument on the right to development, through a collaborative process of engagement, including on the content and scope of the future instrument.

Summary

At this session, held from 29 April – 3 May 2019 in Geneva, the Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on the Right to Development continued to review progress made in the implementation of the right to development.

In this context, it held an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to development and considered contributions made by States and stakeholders to the implementation of the right to development. Within the framework of an expert discussion on the implications of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development for the realization of the right to development, it considered the theme of the 2019 high-level political forum “Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality”.

Documentation

• Provisional agenda (A/HRC/WG.2/20/1)
• Draft programme of work
• Reports of the Special Rapporteur on the right to development
• Human Rights Council resolution on the right to development (A/HRC/RES/39/9)
• General Assembly resolution on the right to development (A/RES/73/166)
• Report of the Working Group on the Right to Development on its nineteenth session (A/HRC/39/56)
• Consolidated report of the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the right to development (A/HRC/39/18)
• Joint written statement submitted by Associazione Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII et al. (A/HRC/WG.2/20/NGO/1)

Statements

• Opening statement by the Director Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and the Right to Development Division, Ms. Peggy Hicks
• Opening statement by the Chair-Rapporteur, Mr. Zamir Akram
• Statement by the Special Rapporteur on the right to development, Mr. Saad Alfarargi

Interactive dialogue with experts on the implementation and realization of the right to development, including the implications of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and a possible engagement with the high-level political forum

• Concept note
• Bios of speakers
• Presentations
  • Sanya Reid Smith (The Third World Network Geneva)
    A civil society perspective on the potential of trade for achieving sustainable development
  • Chiara Mariotti (Inequality Policy Manager, Oxfam)
    Global inequality, the Achilles’ heel of the right to development
  • Melik Özden (Director, Centre Europe - tiers monde)
    Why the right to development is crucial for empowerment of the people and their participation in decision-making on development policies

Discussion to elaborate a draft legally binding instrument on the right to development through a collaborative process of engagement, including on the content and scope of the future instrument

• Concept note
• Bios of speakers
• Presentations
  • Makane Moïse Mbengue
    Observations concerning the working method, preamble and final provisions of a legally binding instrument on the right to development
  • Koen de Feyter
    Observations concerning possible types and structure of a legally binding instrument on the right to development
  • Mihir Kanade (Word / Powerpoint)
    Observations concerning the formulation of the right to development and the nature of obligations of State parties to a legally binding instrument on the right to development
  • Carlos Lopez
    Observations concerning the advantages and disadvantages of imposing obligations on business enterprises and investors in relation to human rights and right to development
  • Diane Desierto (PDF / Powerpoint)
    Observations concerning institutional arrangements and compliance procedures of a legally binding instrument on the right to development

Side events

• 'Leaving No One Behind': A Right to Development Perspective