A/HRC/RES/58/9
Noting with concern that growing economic and financial disruptions further
exacerbate existing inequalities, increase poverty, hunger and malnutrition, reverse hard-won
developmental gains and reduce the chances of achieving the Sustainable Development
Goals,
Recognizing the potential impact of technology in both enhancing opportunities and
exacerbating inequalities, and in this regard the importance of addressing digital divides, and
underscoring the need to promote inclusive digital development, access to technology, digital
literacy and digital public infrastructure, thereby accelerating progress towards the
implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, which cover a wide range of issues
relating to economic, social and cultural rights,
Reiterating that empowering people and ensuring equality and inclusiveness in a
manner consistent with States’ obligations under international human rights law, including
in designing and implementing economic policies that advance the realization of human
rights for all, are among the main elements for achieving sustainable development, and in
this regard mindful that the normative framework for economic, social and cultural rights
offers guidance in implementing the 2030 Agenda in a more effective and inclusive manner,
Recognizing that persistent and growing inequalities and underinvestment in public
services within countries are major challenges to the realization of economic, social and
cultural rights, affecting in particular women and girls, youth and those living in poverty and
in vulnerable situations, including children, older persons and persons with disabilities, and
recalling States’ obligations relating to non-discrimination and the promotion of equality and
their commitment to leave no one behind and to reach the furthest behind first,
Noting that an essential aspect of a human rights-based approach to sustainable
development is promoting knowledge of human rights, including economic, social and
cultural rights, thus enabling individuals and stakeholders to participate in a meaningful, free
and active manner in decision-making processes that affect their lives, including through the
exercise of civil and political rights,
Reaffirming the importance of the realization of economic, social and cultural rights
to eradicating poverty, in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, and
inequalities, taking into consideration the guiding principles on extreme poverty and human
rights, as well as investment in, and ensuring equitable access to, essential services for all,
including health, education, adequate housing and social protection, and acknowledging the
slow pace of progress towards improving lives and livelihoods and realizing human rights
for all,
Expressing deep concern at the growing Sustainable Development Goal financing gap
facing developing countries, preventing the achievement of the Sustainable Development
Goals, which cover a wide range of issues relating to economic, social and cultural rights,
and widening inequalities,
Recognizing with concern the adverse impacts of climate change, particularly on
climate-vulnerable countries, including small island developing States, which undermine the
enjoyment of human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights, and stressing the
need for scaled-up climate finance, in accordance with the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, to support adaptation and
mitigation measures and to address loss and damage,
Expressing deep concern at the emergence of unsustainable debt burdens and
excessive debt servicing costs, which may compromise government expenditure on public
services and social protection, and recognizing the importance of ensuring that commitments
arising from public and foreign debt do not impede States’ abilities to meet their obligations
to respect, protect and fulfil human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights,
Acknowledging that further reform of the international financial architecture is an
important step in mobilizing additional public and private financing for the Sustainable
Development Goals, particularly in developing countries, reducing inequalities and allowing
States to prioritize the mobilization and allocation of resources to uphold economic, social
and cultural rights,
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