Assembly 2020 | Thematic Discussion

THEMATIC DISCUSSION 

Despite widespread acknowledgement of its crucial enabling role, there has been a sharp deterioration in several dimensions of the rule of law since the 2030 Agenda was adopted. This includes an increase in violence and armed conflict, large-scale humanitarian crises, growing authoritarianism, rising inequalities, intolerance and social tensions. The rule of law is further threatened by mounting pressure on international norms and standards, and attacks on human rights, the independence of the judiciary and on civil society.

COVID-19 has exacerbated these trends and has the potential to further aggravate them dramatically. The pandemic encountered a deeply divided and unequal world, faced with a set of pre-existing, interrelated challenges including climate change, entrenched conflict and technological transformation. At the same time, by bringing our shared fragility into such sharp focus, the pandemic has made our largest challenges impossible to ignore. For this reason, the crisis also presents a unique opportunity to reexamine assumptions, raise ambitions, and reorient the world towards a more just, peaceful and sustainable future.

Putting justice and the rule of law at the heart of response and recovery efforts will enable policy makers to act quickly and effectively while respecting and protecting human rights. It will ensure that those in the most vulnerable situations can access health and social services – including life-saving prevention, treatment and care – and the protection of the law. It can safeguard hard-won gains on peace and development while laying the foundation for Building Back Better.

 

Strategic Plan 2021-2024

As the only global intergovernmental organization exclusively devoted to promoting the rule of law as an enabler of peace, sustainable development and human rights, IDLO’s mandate has rarely been more relevant or more needed than in this moment of crisis.

IDLO’s new Strategic Plan 2021-2024 is anchored in the 2030 Agenda and reflects IDLO’s approach to the rule of law as both an outcome and enabler of peace and sustainable development. It recognizes, and seeks to advance, the interdependence and mutually reinforcing connection between human rights, democratic governance and the rule of law.

Based on the concept of ‘people-centered justice’, the Plan seeks to empower justice seekers and emphasizes that justice systems must be built around a better understanding of people’s needs and human rights. Through the prism of SDGs 16 and 5, it also seeks to advance the contribution of the rule of law as an essential driver for sustaining peace and safeguarding and accelerating progress on the 2030 Agenda.

On the occasion of its adoption by the Assembly of Parties, IDLO is organizing a thematic discussion around the substantive priorities of the Strategic Plan. The event will feature high level speakers and discuss the challenges and opportunities for Partnering to Advance the Rule of Law in Challenging Times.

 

Speakers

 

Highlights

Ms. Jan Beagle, Director-General, IDLO	Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization	H.E. Munir Akram, President, United Nations Economic and Social Council​
Ms. Birgitta Tazelaar, Deputy Director-General for International Cooperation, Ministry for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, The Netherlands	H.E. Ruslanbek Davletov (M.P.), Minister of Justice, Republic of Uzbekistan	Ms. Lilliane Byarugaba Adriko, CEO, Uganda Women Lawyers Association (FIDA-Uganda)
Hon. Amb. Gamal Mohammed Hassan (M.P.), Minister of Planning, Investment and Economic Development, Federal Republic of Somalia	Mr. Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support	Dr. Ghizaal Haress, Ombudsperson, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Ms. Jennifer Harhigh, Deputy Chief, U.S. Mission to the UN Agencies in Rome	Mr. Achim Steiner, Administrator, United Nations Development Programme	Closing remarks: Jan Beagle, Director-General, IDLO

 

Programme 15:00 - 17:00 CET

Opening 15:00 - 15:20

• Ms. Jan Beagle, Director-General, IDLO

 

Keynote Address

• Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization

 

Interactive Panel Discussion 15:20 - 16:45

• Setting the Scene: H.E. Munir Akram, President, United Nations Economic and Social Council

 

Panelists

• Ms. Birgitta Tazelaar, Deputy Director-General for International Cooperation, Ministry for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, The Netherlands

• H.E. Ruslanbek Davletov (M.P.), Minister of Justice, Republic of Uzbekistan

• Ms. Lilliane Byarugaba Adriko, CEO, Uganda Women Lawyers Association (FIDA-Uganda)

• Hon. Amb. Gamal Mohammed Hassan (M.P.), Minister of Planning, Investment and Economic Development, Federal Republic of Somalia

• Mr. Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support

• Dr. Ghizaal Haress, Ombudsperson, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

 

Closing remarks 16:45 - 17:00

• Mr. Achim Steiner, Administrator, United Nations Development Programme

 

Wrap up 17:00

• Jan Beagle, Director-General, IDLO