24 May 2018, Geneva, Switzerland - UNITAR has entered into a new partnership with the International Development Law Organization(IDLO), the only intergovernmental organization exclusively devoted to promoting the rule of law. The new cooperation agreement was signed by UNITAR’s Executive Director, Nikhil Seth and IDLO’s Director-General, Irene Khan and it will be a foundation for collaboration on capacity development initiatives in the justice and legal sectors.

Both UNITAR and IDLO command a wealth of expertise in supporting governments efforts to strengthen 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.

“It is through partnerships that UNITAR strives to ensure coordinated action in its quest to support the implementation of the SDGs. Our collaboration with IDLO is a step forward to enhance our ability to provide capacity development activities and knowledge products and services, especially in the area of International Law, to member states”, commented Mr. Seth.  

IDLO and UNITAR are united by their common goal 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.

“As IDLO celebrates its 30th anniversary as an intergovernmental organization, this partnership with UNITAR reinforces our close and longstanding partnership with the UN. It will help to strengthen diplomacy with knowledge of the rule of law at a time when respect for international law is coming under pressure,” observed Ms. Khan, IDLO’s Director-General.

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).