Deputy Secretary-General's remarks at round table discussion on cooperation between the United Nations and Rule-of-Law assistance providers

Dear friends and colleagues that are here with me,

Welcome to this roundtable organized by the Rule of Law Unit of my office. Let me first thank most heartedly the Permanent Mission of Germany for hosting today's discussions on cooperation between the United Nations and rule of law assistance providers.

Please convey thanks to His Excellency.

Let me also express my appreciation to you, particularly to those of you who have traveled overseas to participate in this day of discussions. This is the first time that the United Nations system has engaged in a collective dialogue on rule of law assistance with the range of assistance providers represented here today.

For the United Nations, the rule of law refers to a principle of governance in which all persons, institutions and entities, public and private -- including the State itself -- are accountable to laws that are publicly promulgated, equally enforced and independently adjudicated, and which are consistent with international human rights norms and standards. It is fundamental to achieving long-lasting peace and security, effective protection of human rights, economic progress and sustainable development.

A multitude of United Nations entities address the rule of law at the international and national levels based on a variety of mandates and expertise. Many of these, such as the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the Office of Drugs and Crime, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the United Nations Development Programme and UNHCR, are represented here today. Our technical assistance capacity is vast –covering advice on anti-corruption to access to justice for the poor –and we are called upon to provide assistance in all circumstances, from conflict to long-term development.

As the United Nations we bring to the table the substantial body of international human rights, criminal justice, refugee and humanitarian norms and standards developed under the Organizations' auspices. This body of doctrine is one of the United Nations' greatest achievements and it forms the normative basis for our rule of law work.