IDLO has entered into a new partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the UN’s principal training arm, to work together on advancing the rule of law and access to justice. A new cooperation agreement, signed on May 16, 2018 by Irene Khan, IDLO’s Director-General, and Nikhil Seth, UN Assistant Secretary General and Executive Director of UNITAR, lays the foundation for collaboration on capacity development initiatives in the justice and legal sectors.
The two organizations bring a wealth of expertise to support governments in strengthening their officials’ knowledge in international law. This new collaborative framework will focus on participatory training activities for G-77 diplomats and officials, the future leaders and champions of justice of their countries.
“As IDLO celebrates its 30th anniversary, this agreement reinforces our partnership with the UN system to advance the rule of law,” observed Ms. Khan.
“By working with the UN to train and embed knowledge of international law among diplomats we further the cause of peace, justice and sustainable development, which lie at the heart of IDLO’s mandate as an intergovernmental organization.”
IDLO and UNITAR share common goals to promote the use of law to enable progress in human rights and sustainable development, as well as the integration of international law in national legal frameworks to foster peace, the rule of law, access to justice and legal empowerment.
“It is through partnerships that UNITAR strives to ensure coordinated action in its quest to support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Our collaboration with IDLO is a step forward to enhance our ability to provide capacity development activities and knowledge products, especially in the area of international law, and services to member states”, commented Mr. Seth.
Both organizations leverage their expertise and resources toward achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and this new partnership will help expand their support to national partners to advance towards the peaceful and inclusive societies envisaged in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16. By strengthening legal institutions and frameworks, they also work in support of all other SDGs, including to enhance gender equality (SDG 5), good health (SDG 3) and reduced inequalities (SDG 10).
About IDLO@30
2018 marks 30 years since IDLO was established as an intergovernmental organization dedicated to promoting the rule of law.
In February 1988, eight governments took the momentous step to create an IGO outside of the United Nations system, in recognition of the importance that law plays in supporting development. We are proud to be marking 30 years since the rule of law made it to multilateralism.
Today, IDLO’s mission remains valid and is reinforced by the inclusion of the rule of law and access to justice in Sustainable Development Goal 16 of the 2030 Agenda.
For more information about IDLO@30 please follow #ChampionsOfJustice