AGENDA ITEM 3 Implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (continued) (E/1986/3, E/1986/4, E/1986/44, E/1986/49) 4. Mr. VRAALSEN (Observer for Norway), speak­ ing on behalf of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and Norway, said that the Nordic countries consid­ ered that the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights16 and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights16 were equally important and that every effort should be made to implement both instruments. Since all human rights interacted with and reinforced one another, the Nordic countries could not accept any theory which implied that certain economic and social rights must be secured before the exercise of civil and political rights could be envisaged. It was, however, true that *Resumed from the 9th meeting. E/ l986/SR.14 the rights described in the two Covenants were different in nature and that different approaches were required for their implementation. 5. The rights outlined in the International Cove­ nant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights were indispensable to a dignified life. Accordingly, strong­ er efforts were needed at the national and interna­ tional levels to promote them. Every State should have a national policy to bring about a just distribu­ tion of economic and social benefits. That could best be done through democratic institutions. National action must be accompanied by international action. In that connection, he pointed out that the Nordic countries were devoting considerable resources to development assistance through both bilateral and multilateral channels. 6. The Council should consider how to increase the number of new ratifications of the Covenant, which had declined significantly in recent years. 7. Recalling the decision to establish a Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to replace the Sessional Working Group of Governmental Ex­ perts, he said that, if the criteria for the election of 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the implementation of a human rights treaty, specifically the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the importance of promoting economic and social rights for a dignified life. The Nordic countries are advocating for stronger efforts at the national and international levels to promote these rights, and discussing the role of democratic institutions and international cooperation in achieving this goal. The text also touches on the importance of increasing ratifications of the treaty and the establishment of a committee to oversee its implementation.

**Category**
Education, Employment, Health, Humanitarian aid and relief, International trade