Right to development key to human rights: Guinea-Bissau minister

The right to development remains central to the realization of all other human rights for developing countries, said Joao Bernardo Vieira, Guinea-Bissau's minister of justice and human rights, in Beijing on Thursday.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the 2026 Forum on Global Human Rights Governance in the Chinese capital, the minister pointed out that the promise of human rights cannot be fully achieved without development and access to various of resources.

"As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development, we are reminded that development is not merely an economic aspiration. It is a fundamental human right that empowers individuals and communities to live with dignity, security and hope. For developing countries such as Guinea-Bissau, the right to development remains central to the realization of all other human rights. Without access to education, healthcare, justice, decent employment and basic infrastructure, the promise of human rights cannot be fully achieved," said the official.

He emphasized the importance of inclusiveness for future of human rights governance.

"Developing countries need greater access to investment, technology transfer, capacity building and fair participation in the global decision making processes. The future of human rights governance must be inclusive and development-oriented.It must recognize that every nation has the right to pursue its own path of development while respecting the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law," said the minister.

The forum, co-hosted by China's State Council Information Office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, runs through Friday.

More than 400 invited guests from nearly 100 countries as well as international and regional organizations, including the United Nations (UN), are attending the event.

The National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2026-2030) was released at Thursday's opening ceremony, outlining China's work to protect human rights in the next five years.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold a security cabinet meeting Sunday evening, following U.S. President Trump's announcement that the United States and Iran will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at ending the war, according to local media reports.

Israeli officials, quoted in media reports on Saturday, said that the memorandum does not address Iran's ballistic missile program and that previous demands concerning Iran's nuclear activities have been significantly weakened.

Meanwhile, the core issues Israel sought to address regarding Iran's nuclear capabilities have largely been left unaddressed in the memorandum, according to Israeli officials.