We are experiencing a global decline in respect for the rule of law, exacerbated by escalating conflicts and weakening national institutions. The rule of law has declined globally for the fifth year in a row. Women’s rights were infringed in multiple contexts, reversing hard-won gains towards gender equality and women’s empowerment. 

After the first year of implementation of phase IV of UNDP’s Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development (Global Programme), UNDP is guided by the urgent imperative that today's complex justice, security and human rights challenges can only be tackled through working together in collective action across the United Nations. The Global Programme galvanizes partnerships across the UN System and beyond to enable more coherent, collaborative and integrated rule of law and human rights efforts in line with UNDP’s designated “integrator” role in the UN System. 

UNDP will convene the 2023 Annual Meeting on Rule of Law and Human Rights on 21-22 June. The meeting provides the opportunity to launch Phase IV of UNDP’s Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development. 

The meeting will showcase UNDP's work in justice, security and human rights areas and also highlight UNDP’s strengthened commitment to fostering strong partnerships capable of delivering agile, integrated solutions at scale, which ensure sustainable impact.

The Annual Meeting will be held as a virtual forum, participants will include high-level UN officials, Permanent Representatives, Ministerial-level national counterparts, UN Member States, stakeholders from across the UN system, and representatives from think tanks, academia, private sector, and civil society. 

Translation in French, Spanish, Russian and Arabic will be available.

Recordings