HRC63 - EU Statement - Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to development

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

63^rd session

Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to development

11 September 2026

 

EU statement

Mr. Special Rapporteur, 

The EU thanks you for your report focussing on  participation in development. 

Inclusive and meaningful civic participation in development is essential for upholding human rights, ensuring good governance, and achieving inclusive, sustainable development.

The EU upholds this principle and within the context of regional and urban development,  public engagement is embedded directly into EU’s own Cohesion Policy.  Rather than letting development decisions be enforced from the top down, the Partnership Principle legally requires authorities to involve local stakeholders and citizens in planning, managing, and evaluating EU-funded territorial projects. Citizens give direct input including on how regional infrastructure funds are allocated. Subsequent civic monitoring measures whether the infrastructure actually satisfies public needs.

Internationally, the EU ensures participation in development by working through global partnerships, in dialogue with partner countries and engaging local civil society. 

The Global Gateway Civil Society and Local Authorities Advisory Platform has been established to ensure that the Global Gateway, as a values-based strategy, contributes to sustainable investments.  It was established to play a vital role in shaping projects in full respect of fundamental values and to the benefit of local communities. Monitoring and evaluation is put in place to assess inclusivity and ensure that "no one is left behind".

Mr. Special Rapporteur, 

throughout your report you stress the importance of States preserving civic space – which are the most promising mechanisms to ensure accountability when states or other actors fail to adopt a rights-based approach?

Thank you.