Statement by the Director-General, Ms Jan Beagle
Sixth Committee Debate on "The rule of law at the national and international levels at the eightieth anniversary of the United Nations"
Mr. Chairman,
Distinguished delegates,
It is a pleasure to participate in this discussion on behalf of the International Development Law Organization, the only global intergovernmental organization exclusively devoted to promoting the rule of law to advance peace and sustainable development.
I thank the Deputy Secretary-General for her presentation of the annual report of the Secretary-General on United Nations’ rule of law activities.
As the DSG said, the rule of law is written into the very DNA of the UN Charter.
As we mark the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, however, we face a sobering reality.
The Charter was born of a collective resolve to turn the destruction of the 20th century into a foundation for lasting peace.
Yet recent events are proof that we have not fully learned the lessons of the past.
Geopolitical tensions are deepening.
International norms are selectively applied.
Trust in multilateral institutions is eroding.
The “equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small” are not respected.
The rule of law, enshrined in the Charter, as the foundation of the international system, is under tremendous pressure at both national and international levels.
Major violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, and especially failure to protect civilians, are becoming a shockingly regular feature of modern conflict.
The World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index has charted an extended, global rule of law recession, characterized by rising authoritarianism, attacks on the independence of the judiciary, and closing of civic space.
In these turbulent times, we must remember that positive change is both possible and happening.
IDLO’s work over four decades in some 100 countries has shown that the rule of law is not just an abstract principle, but a powerful tool for promoting peace and prosperity, unlocking development potential, and protecting human rights for all.
Drawing on this experience, allow me to share three reasons why investing in the rule of law is key to reinvigorating the spirit of the Charter.
First, the rule of law is critical to rebuilding public trust.
For far too many, the promise of the Charter remains unreachable.
Over 5 billion people have unmet justice needs, while 2.5 billion women and girls around the world face discriminatory laws and lack legal protection.
Global surveys show that people still believe in human rights, democracy, and the United Nations, but they do not feel that they make a difference in their daily lives.
That is why we must bring justice closer to people.
The rule of law ensures fairness, accountability, and transparency – giving people confidence that institutions are working in the interest of all, not just a privileged few.
People-centred approaches empower the least powerful to claim their rights and participate in decision-making.
Effective justice systems help to prevent conflicts by addressing their root causes and resolving disputes before they can spiral into violence.
Laws, institutions, and mechanisms should be grounded in lived realities.
They must support the varied pathways that people take to seek justice – from courts and digital spaces to customary, faith-based and Indigenous systems.
Eliminating discriminatory laws, and developing legal and institutional frameworks that promote access to justice for all, are key to closing the justice gap for women and girls.
Second, the rule of law enables countries and communities to achieve their development priorities across the social, economic, and environmental dimensions.
Effective laws and accessible and accountable institutions are needed to realise not just civil and political rights, but also the social and economic rights which are high on people’s minds – from food security to access to land and economic opportunity.
Third, the rule of law is needed to reinvigorate multilateralism and address complex, transnational challenges.
The rule of law at the international level, as enshrined in the Charter, guarantees the sovereign equality of Member States and is the bedrock of the multilateral system.
It encompasses the conduct of war, international and transnational crimes, displacement, migration, and the regulation of the international commons – issues that are at the heart of global challenges, and which no country can solve alone.
They require fair and efficient mechanisms that incentivize concerted global action, while balancing the needs of the present with the interests of future generations.
We need to redouble our efforts to apply the principles of the rule of law consistently, equally and unconditionally – in times of stability and crisis, in large and small countries alike.
Reaffirming the rule of law, at both national and international levels, requires more than words.
As domestic budgets and development assistance come under increasing pressure from a growing number of crises, it is important to keep political and financial support for justice and the rule of law high on national and international agendas.
Looking ahead, we must seize the opportunities presented at upcoming international forums, including the World Summit for Social Development, COP30, CoSP11, and the High-Level Political Forum.
IDLO remains committed to collaborating with all partners to fulfil the promise of the United Nations, and to build a more peaceful, just and sustainable future through the rule of law.
There is no better investment that we can make in our collective future, and it is the best way for us to stand in solidarity with “future generations”.