Egypt: The right to development cannot be discussed amid conflicts, occupation, and displacement
New York, 23 Sep (KUNA) -- Egypt stressed on Wednesday that the right to development cannot be discussed while conflicts, occupation, displacement, destruction of infrastructure, and deprivation of resources and the basic conditions for life continue.
This was stated in a speech delivered by Egyptian Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly during the high-level meeting commemorating the 40th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Right to Development. Madbouly participated on behalf of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in the meetings of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.
According to a statement by the Egyptian Cabinet, Madbouly said that the Declaration on the Right to Development, adopted by the UN four decades ago, marked a significant milestone in the evolution of the human rights system by linking human rights with development, national responsibility, international cooperation, and human participation in shaping development and fairly enjoying its benefits. He noted that Egypt was among the countries that voted in favor of the declaration and has remained a supporter of it.
He added that a gap still exists between recognizing the right to development and the actual ability to exercise it, amid conflicts and geopolitical and economic crises that impose increasing burdens on developing countries and threaten developmental gains.
Madbouly affirmed that the genuine realization of the right to development requires a conducive international environment and the establishment of a more just and fair economic and financial system that addresses debt burdens, supports technology transfer and capacity building, removes structural barriers facing developing countries, refrains from imposing coercive unilateral measures, and strengthens international cooperation and solidarity.
He explained that Egypt has been keen to translate the right to development into policies and programs that place the human being at the heart of the development process. This has been achieved through developing infrastructure in the transport, energy, drinking water, and sanitation sectors, while simultaneously investing in health and education, expanding social protection networks, and empowering women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
Madbouly stressed that the Palestinian people’s right to development is inseparable from their right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. He welcomed efforts aimed at reaching a binding international legal framework that reinforces the right to development and preserves its essence.
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