(Tokyo, 7 July)- UN Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Achim Steiner concluded a two-day visit to Japan on Friday, where he attended the Justice Affairs Diplomacy Ministerial Forum 2023 in Tokyo and met senior Japanese officials and parliamentarians to build collaborative alliances for the rule of law and sustainable development.
At the Justice Affairs Diplomacy Ministerial Forum 2023, held in Tokyo on 6-7 July under Japan's G7 Presidency, Administrator Steiner joined prominent leaders from the Group of Seven (G7), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The event underscored the crucial role of justice and the rule of law in fostering sustainable and inclusive development.
"We commend Japan for its leadership through its initiative on 'justice affairs diplomacy' to build bridges across the G7 and ASEAN on rule of law and human rights," said UNDP Administrator Steiner, and congratulated the Japanese Minister of Justice Mr. Ken Saito for the successful organization of the Forum. They also reaffirmed the importance of multilateralism in the global promotion of the rule of law, access to justice, and human security.
While in Tokyo, Administrator Steiner also met with the Foreign Minister Mr. Yoshimasa Hayashi, and the Ambassador/Director-General for Global Issues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Takeshi Akahori. Steiner expressed UNDP's gratitude for Japan's steadfast leadership and strategic partnership as UNDP's largest government donor. They further discussed priorities of mutual interests such as recovery efforts in Ukraine. He also met with MP Keizo Takemi, honorable member of the House of Councillors, to exchange their visions for the global health agenda, and with members of the "Parliamentary Association on Advancing Justice Affairs Diplomacy to Promote the Rule of Law," chaired by MP Yoko Kamikawa, to reaffirm the importance of the rule of law in peacebuilding.
The Justice Affairs Diplomacy Ministerial Forum 2023 in Tokyo concluded with a shared vision among G7, ASEAN, UNDP and UNODC leaders for a more just, inclusive, and sustainable world. Participants acknowledged that justice and the rule of law are foundational pillars that drive societal progress and that without a robust legal framework and access to justice for all, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) cannot be achieved.
They emphasized the need for sustained international cooperation and commitment to realizing these goals for the betterment of all nations. They pledged to promote the exchange of best practices, capacity-building initiatives, and technical assistance programs to support countries in strengthening their legal systems and institutions, improving access to justice, and upholding human rights.
"Experience has shown us that working for the rule of law and justice through multilateral approaches makes a positive contribution to addressing crises, " said Administrator Steiner. "In a world where we are facing a myriad of interlinked crises, we must collectively agree to calibrate our efforts - and our financing - to ensure that the rights of all, and their ability to access justice, are an integral part of development. "
ASEAN member states reaffirmed their commitment to fostering regional integration and cooperation in the field of justice and recognized 50 years of productive cooperation with Japan. They highlighted the significance of cross-border collaboration in addressing transnational crime, enhancing judicial cooperation, and promoting legal harmonization within the ASEAN region. ASEAN leaders emphasized the need for inclusive and responsive justice systems that prioritize the rights of vulnerable groups and promote social justice.
Representatives from G7 countries, led by Japan as G7 President, and Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and European Commissioner for Justice, expressed their commitment to strengthening the rule of law at the global level. They emphasized the importance of effective governance, accountability, and the protection of human rights as fundamental components of sustainable development. The G7 leaders underscored their dedication to advancing legal systems that are transparent, impartial, and inclusive, facilitating fair and equal opportunities for all.
UNDP welcomes the initiatives of international actors to support Ukraine in upholding the rule of law and anti-corruption, including the establishment of a G7 task force on anti-corruption, and commits to working closely with our Ukrainian partners to take this forward. Thanks to the commitment of Japan and other donor countries, UNDP is working closely with the Government of Ukraine to ensure that avenues for seeking justice remain accessible to all, despite the devastation of 16 months of war. Priorities include restoring destroyed and damaged courthouses, implementing a national strategy to prosecute international crimes, and the reform of Ukraine's justice sector.
UNDP, as a long-standing partner of both G7 and ASEAN members working towards sustainable development, acknowledged the commitment of all member countries in advancing people-centered justice and rule of law globally. Administrator Steiner emphasized the importance of strong partnerships in "tackling injustice whenever it occurs".
"The rule of law is crucial to promoting peace and stability- within, and between countries - and to prevent conflict, sustain peace and enable inclusive and sustainable development," Administrator Steiner said.
