UN Human Rights Council, 54th session
Item 3 - nteractive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on right to development.
Statement of the Republic of Lithuania, on behalf of Nordic-Baltic countries delivered by the Permanent Representative Ambassador Darius Staniulis
20 September 2023
Thank you, Mr. President,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries – Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Norway, Sweden, and my own country Lithuania.
The right to development is rooted in the universality, indivisibility, interrelation, and interdependence of all human rights.
The Nordic-Baltic countries firmly believe that without human rights, rule of law and good governance, inclusive and sustainable development cannot be achieved. We welcome your proposed strong focus on gender equality and active, free and meaningful participation of all people in development efforts.
We are coming to the mid-point of the 2030 Agenda and yet less than 20 percent of Sustainable Development Goal targets are on track. Each day climate change, multiple crises and conflicts persist, affecting people and countries in vulnerable situations the hardest. As states bear the primary responsibility for the full realisation of human rights for all, we urge all states to ensure that no one is left behind and to abstain from actions that violate human rights.
Mr Special Rapporteur, could you please share your views on how we, as states, could enhance the implementation of the 2030 Agenda without losing focus of ensuring that all human rights are equally protected?
I thank you.