HRC52 - NB8 statement - High level meeting on right to development

High level meeting on right to development

Finland on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries

28 February 2023

Mr. President.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries – Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, and my own country Latvia.

Last year we celebrated the thirty-fifth anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Right to Development. It was agreed that the right to development, which is rooted in the universality, indivisibility, interrelation, and interdependence of all human rights, is a fundamental human right by virtue of which every person is entitled to participate in, contribute to, and enjoy economic, social, cultural and political development, in which all human rights and fundamental freedoms can be fully realized.

Thirty-six years ago, there was a strong belief that our future will be better, wealthier and happier.

Unfortunately, global trends are not encouraging – many different challenges, as the COVID 19 pandemic, devasting climate change and outright military aggressions, hinder the achievement of sustainable development goals and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. These crises have already increased extreme poverty, which hits people and countries in vulnerable situations the hardest.

The Nordic-Baltic countries call on all governments to ensure participatory approaches that leave no one behind, and to refrain from actions that put human rights at risk.

Thank you.