A/71/302 effectively with States parties, building on their respective expertise, in relation to the implementation of the right to water at the national level and that the international financial institutions should take into account the right to water in their lending policies, credit agreements, structural adjustment programmes and other development projects, so that the enjoyment of the right to water is promoted (see E/C.12/2002/11, para. 60). The Special Rapporteur is of the view that, since 164 States are parties to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as well as other relevant international human rights instruments, international financial institutions, regional banks and regional development organizations, all of which consist of Member States that have signed and ratified multiple human rights treaties, should respect, protect and facilitate the human rights to water and sanitation through their activities. It follows that, even when non-State actors operationalize development cooperation initiatives supported by multilateral funders, those funders may also be held accountable for complying with human rights obligations. In addition, international organizations are bound by all human rights that are part of international customary law, general principles of law and the human rights -related provisions in their constitutions. The latter are particularly applicable to United Nations specialized agencies given that they are bound by the Charter of the United Nations. B. How human rights principles apply and should be manifested in development cooperation 14. Integrating human rights law and principles into development cooperation provides a clear legal framework for the human rights to water and sanitation that States have already recognized. In addition, the normative content of the human rights to water and sanitation and human rights principles offer guidance on who and what to prioritize in planning and programming international cooperation, as well as on how policies, programmes and interventions should take place. It is critical to use the language of the human rights to water and sanitation explicitly because, as stated by the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, the human rights language recognizes the dignity and agency of all individuals and is therefore intentionally empowering (see A/70/274, para. 65). 15. A human rights-based approach to development cooperation requires that the main objective should be to fulfil human rights; that policies and programmes identify rights-holders and their entitlements, as well as duty-bearers and their obligations, with the aim of strengthening the capacities of right -holders to claim their rights; and that human rights principles, notably the principles of equality and non-discrimination, accountability, access to information, participation and sustainability, be integrated into policies and programmes. 16. The principle of equality and non-discrimination, for instance, requires the adoption of targeted measures and affirmative action in order to achieve substantive equality. Funders and partners should work together and identify individuals and groups that are disadvantaged in their access to water, sanitation and hygiene and that are particularly vulnerable to exclusion and discrimination. Then they shou ld develop policies and programmes that prioritize those individuals and groups. 17. The principle of participation requires that national stakeholders have ownership and control over development in the processes of planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and assessment. Development is for the 6/24 16-13590