The High-level Meeting of the 67th Session of the General Assembly on the Rule of Law at the National and International Levels took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 24 September 2012. This was a unique occasion for all Member States, non-governmental organisations and civil society represented at the highest level, to discuss and agree a forward looking agenda on strengthening the rule of law.

Please see the final version of the Declaration of the High-level Meeting here:

Declaration of the High-level Meeting of the 67th Session of the General Assembly on the rule of law at the national and international levels

Modalities of the High-level Meeting

The General Assembly in its resolution A/RES/66/102 decided that the High-level Meeting of the General Assembly on the rule of law is held on 24 September 2012 in New York and that the High-level Meeting should address the topic of the rule of law at the national and international levels. 

Resolution A/RES/66/102 outlined the organisational arrangements of the High-level Meeting. The resolution also decided that the High-level Meeting would result in a concise outcome document. It requested that the President of the General Assembly would, in consultation with Member States, finalise the organisational arrangements of the meeting.

The Secretary-General proposed a programme of action

A report of the Secretary-General A/66/749 in preparation of the High-level Meeting was submitted to the General Assembly in March 2012, as requested in the resolution A/RES/66/102. In order to galvanize collective efforts to strengthen the rule of law at the national and international levels, the Secretary-General proposed in his report that the General Assembly adopt a programme of action for the rule of law, agree to a process to develop clear rule of law goals and adopt other key mechanisms to enhance dialogue on the rule of law. The Secretary-General also encouraged Member States to take the occasion of the High-level Meeting to make individual pledges related to the rule of law.

Participation in the High-level Meeting

The President of the General Assembly compiled a list of non-governmental organisations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, as well as a list of civil society organisations, active in the field of the rule of law, who registered to participate in the High-level Meeting. In addition, a limited number of representatives of non-governmental organisations active in the field of rule of law were invited to speak. 

Statements delivered during the opening of the High-level Meeting

Statements delivered by Member States and observers at the High-level Meeting

Statements by Civil Society and others in relation to the High-level Meeting