Integrated Approach to the Rule of Law for Implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
11 January 2017 at Dusit Thani Hotel
There has been growing recognition of the intrinsic interlinks between the rule of law and development. The rule of law provides the essential conditions for productive engagement by and among different actors in society, including the states in fulfilling their roles in providing public services, which in turn contributes to the realization of economic and social development. On the other hand, balanced and inclusive development contributes to building a cohesive community which reaffirms and reinforces the fundamental value of the rule of law through fostering of trust in the justice system.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,1 represents the latest and most comprehensive international framework for fighting poverty and achieving sustainable development in all key areas. The new framework rests upon fundamental principles which include the recognition that peace and effective institution-building not only provide essential enabling conditions for sustainable development, but also constitute a goal their own right. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development calls on all parties to commit to achieving a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 Targets. With the 2030 Agenda, all stakeholders undertake to work on a variety of issues, including tackling the root causes of poverty, addressing inequalities, economic growth, decent jobs, urban development, industrialization, oceans, ecosystems, energy, climate change, sustainable consumption and production, peace and justice.
Through consultation with a wide range of stakeholders and subsequent intergovernmental negotiation, the new global development agenda promises to be transformative, inclusive and universal. Much will depend, however, on the financial resources and international aid to be mobilized, as well as on the capacity of key stakeholders, including governments and public institutions, to realign their priorities in bringing about the sustainable results. More importantly, significant efforts may be required for the public institutions to identify what areas of work need to be strengthened or what changes need to be made in order for them to become more ‘effective, accountable and inclusive institutions, in accordance the SDGs Goal 162. It is also crucial that policy makers come to appreciate the rule of law as the key factor in development efforts in various key sectors because the rule of law provides enabling conditions for achieving results in implementing other goals and targets within SDGs framework.
The first TIJ Public Forum on the Rule of Law and Sustainable Development will attempt to address the issues surrounding any efforts to mainstream the rule of law into the public administration in Thailand, with a special focus on the role of criminal justice reform in support of the SDGs implementation. Through the dialogues and exchange of views among relevant policy makers and stakeholders in Thailand, the Forum will look into the interrelationship between individual goals within SDGs and how focusing on the rule of law, including how we can meaningfully monitor and measure progress made in this area, can provide useful framework for an integrated approach to implement the overall SDGs agenda.
