A/71/302 1. Obligations of States 10. On the one hand, States that are unable to fulfil their obligations with respect to economic, social and cultural rights have the obligation to formulate relevant plans and strategies, seek international cooperation as needed and utilize the assistance provided towards the realization of economic, social and cultural rights. On the other hand, States that are in a position to support other countries in realizing those rights have the obligation to provide necessary support through international assistance and cooperation in a manner consistent with their obligations to fulfil economic, social and cultural rights extraterritorially. 4 11. More specifically with respect to the human right to water, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights explained that States parties are obligated to respect the enjoyment of that right in other countries, to refrain from actions that interfere with the enjoyment of the right to water in other countries and to prevent their own citizens and companies from violating the right to water of individuals and communities in other countries. In addition, the Committee indicated that States should facilitate realization of the right to water in other countries, for example through provision of water resources, financial and technical assistance and necessary aid when required, in a manner that is consistent with the Covenant and other human rights standards and that is sustainable and culturally appropriate. The economically developed States have a special responsibility and interest to assist the poorer developing States in that regard. The Committee also elaborated on the responsibility of States through multilateral organizations, indicating that State parties that are members of international financial institutions, notably the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and regional development banks, should take steps to ensure that the right to water is taken into account in their lending policies, credit agreements and other international measures (see E/C.12/2002/11, paras. 33, 34 and 36). 12. Non-State actors from both funder States and partner States often play an important role in development cooperation. In that connection, it is important to recall that, even when development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector passes through non-governmental organizations, States continue to possess an obligation to ensure that all instruments for delegation, including contracts, are in line with human rights standards, contribute to the realization of the righ ts to water and sanitation and guide the activities of non-State service providers (see A/HRC/15/31, para. 63 (f)). 2. Obligations of multilateral organizations 13. Regarding the obligations of multilateral actors, the Committee stated that United Nations agencies and other international organizations should cooperate __________________ 4 16-13590 See, for example, E/C.12/2002/11 and Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, general comment No. 15, para. 38; general comment No. 14, para. 45; general comment No. 17, para. 40; general comment No. 19, para. 61 (available from http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/ treatybodyexternal/TBSearch.aspx?Lang=en&TreatyID=9&DocTypeID=11). See also Committee on the Rights of the Child, general comment No. 16, para. 41 (available from http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/treatybodyexternal/TBSearch.aspx?TreatyID=5 &DocTypeID =11). For a useful interpretation of international law on the issue, see the Maastricht Principles on Extraterritorial Obligations of States in the Area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of the ETO Consortium, principles 33, 34 and 35. 5/24