Bank’s education policies.481 In particular, the Special Rapporteur has recommended that the World Bank assess whether the failure to incorporate a human rights perspective, and specifically the right to education, is an inhibiting factor in the social and economic impact that it seeks to achieve through its actions and loans.482 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has also made significant investments in education. The ADB supports Education for All and the achievement of the MDGs, including universal primary education, within the Asia and Pacific region by 2015. The ADB has prepared an education policy to complement the objectives of the MDGs and focus its efforts to support educational development, and to link this support more closely to poverty reduction.483 Accordingly, ADB support for education at all levels concentrates on policies and activities that directly contribute to overall programmes for poverty reduction. States as members of international organisations As members of international organisations, States have “joint” as well as “individual” obligations regarding the promotion of the realisation of the right to education. The Maastricht Guidelines provide that the obligations of States to protect economic, social and cultural rights extend also to their participation in international organisations, where they act collectively. States should use their influence to ensure that international organisations, including international financial institutions, correct their policies and practices so that they take due account of, and do not result in deprivation of, the right to education.484 In addition, the CESCR has stated that States should ensure that international agreements do not adversely impact upon the right to education.485 481 See, for example, Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education E/CN.4/2005/50 17 December 2004 at paras 3, 128 and 129, Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to education E/CN.4/2003/9 21 January 2003 at para 9, Annual Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to education E/CN.4/2002/60 7 January 2002 at para 16, Annual Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to education E/CN.4/2001/52 11 January 2001 at paras 37 – 41. 482 Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education E/CN.4/2005/50 17 December 2004 at para 129. See also Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education E/CN.4/2003/9 21 January 2003 at para 9. 483 Asian Development Bank Education Policies and Strategies (August 2002), available at http://www.adb.org/Documents/Policies/Education/ (last accessed 14 December 2006). 484 Maastricht Guidelines at para 19. See also CESCR General Comment No. 13: The right to education E/C.12/1999/10 8 December 1999 at para 56. 485 See CESCR General Comment No. 13: The right to education E/C.12/1999/10 8 December 1999 at para 56. 149