30 September 2013: Peace and security, the rule of law and governance have been suggested as priority issues for the post-2015 development agenda, in a recent high-level event and two essays from UN Development Programme (UNDP) officials.

Speaking at a High-level Session of the Global Dialogue on Rule of Law and the Post-2015 Development Agenda, Jan Eliasson, Deputy Secretary General, stressed that development and the rule of law are mutually reinforcing. He said the rule of law fosters inclusive growth, reduces violence and promotes equality and human rights. The High-level Session recognized that establishing the rule of law is critical in ensuring effective, transparent governments that promote sustainable development and maintain peace. The event was hosted by UNDP along with the Governments of Denmark, Mexico, Senegal and Turkey.

Further, UNDP ‘Our Perspective’ pieces explain the rationale for including peace and security and governance issues. UNDP Administrator Helen Clark writes that she often hears arguments against including peace and stability in the post-2015 agenda. The most common argument is that the work of human development is separate from that of building peace and stability. Others claim that mixing development work with peace and security may compromise national sovereignty.

Clark refutes these arguments, emphasizing that long-term peace and human development go hand-in-hand. She describes how development in countries affected by conflict and disaster focuses on economic growth in sectors such as education and health, while paying limited attention to economic and environmental sustainability, good governance, rule of law and justice and social cohesion, issues she stresses as fundamental for peace and security. Clark notes that 90% of countries at the bottom of the human development index (HDI) experienced conflict within the past 20 years, and approximately 40% of post-conflict and fragile countries relapse within a decade. Clark also notes that early action addressing the root cause of a crisis is critical in preventing tensions from escalating into full-blown conflict. She elaborates that “waiting for the Security Council to intervene under ‘exceptional circumstances’ may prove too late.”

Governance, another issue not addressed in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), is the subject of an ‘Our Perspective’ piece by Rebeca Grynspan, UNDP Associate Administrator. According to Grynspan, the world has realized that “deficits in governance,” including corruption and elite resource capacity, hinder inclusive growth. Noting that more than one million people chose “honest and responsive governance” as a top priority for the post-2015 agenda through the MY World Survey, Grynspan argues that momentum is shifting to focus on governance and anti-corruption. [UNDP Press Release on Rule of Law Event] [Statement of Deputy Secretary-General] [Our Perspective: Peace and Security] [Our Perspective: Governance and Anti-corruption]