15 June 2017: The UN Development Programme’s (UNDP) Annual Meeting on Strengthening the Rule of Law for Sustaining Peace and Fostering Development addressed how to support the rule of law and human rights within the UN’s ‘Sustaining Peace’ agenda. During the meeting, UNDP released a report on the first year of Phase II of UNDP’s Global Programme on Strengthening the Rule of Law and Human Rights for Sustaining Peace and Fostering Development (2016-2020).

The ninth UNDP annual on the topic took place from 12-15 June 2017, in New York, US. The Annual Meeting reviews work facilitated through UNDP’s Global Rule of Law Programme, and considers how the UN system can orient its efforts to support governments to strengthen justice and security and promote human rights. The event also served as an opportunity for outlining the vision for the rule of law community and programming in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed described the strong rule of law as “catalytic to all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” in a statement, elaborating that using the rule of law as a tool for gender equality can contribute to access to education, reductions in gender-based violence, livelihood opportunities and long-term resilience. Mohammed prioritized five issues to address: improving the effectiveness and sustainability of accountability mechanisms for most serious crimes; refining the structures and approaches to rule of law in Security Council-mandated missions; ensuring effective transitions to UN country teams; maximizing the use and sustainability of funding for rule of law support and assistance; and strengthening partnerships for durable results.

Martínez-Solimán said SDG 16 is a “new normative horizon for the development community.”

UNDP Acting Administrator Tegegnework Gettu emphasized the role of “active and coherent actions” across the UN system in sustaining peace, urging both a common vision and nationally driven processes. Magdy Martínez-Solimán, UNDP, said in a statement that the 2030 Agenda, the Paris Agreement on climate change and the concept of sustaining peace offer a “common framework that links development, climate, peace and security and human rights to the idea of expanding opportunities for all.” He described SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions) as a “new normative horizon for the development community” because it “integrates peaceful coexistence within nations, justice and political inclusion as part of what development means to people.” He pointed to the Global Alliance on Goal 16 (GFP) as the “first successful partnership on the rule of law between very different UN entities” with clear results on the ground. Martínez-Solimán also underscored the importance of leadership by national actors and of strengthening “individual rights, institutional capacities and the credibility of the social contract” in each case.

Participants identified the rule of law and human rights as key areas through which collaboration across the UN system can increase the potential for transformational change through policy coherence, planning and delivery of high quality assistance. They stressed the need for the international community to promote accountability and human rights, through joint cooperation and partnership.

UNDP released its ‘Rule of Law Annual Report 2016’ at the meeting. The report provides an overview of the first year of implementation of Phase II of UNDP’s rule of law programme (2016-2020), focusing on the political and human rights dimensions of the rule of law, and how support to these areas contributes to sustaining peace. UNDP’s Global Programme on Strengthening the Rule of Law and Human Rights for Sustaining Peace and Fostering Development (2016-2020) aims to enhance justice, security and respect for human rights in contexts threatened or affected by crisis, conflict or fragility. The programme’s current phase is focusing on risk informed assistance to address drivers of instability. [UNDP Press Release] [UN Photo Story on Rule of Law] [UN Deputy Secretary-General Statement] [UNDP Assistant Administrator Statement] [Rule of Law Annual Report 2016 Website] [UN Rule of Law Blog on Meeting]