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Throughout 2008 the United Nations will be celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and promoting at the same time the universal values enshrined in the Declaration and related treaties and conventions. Today we are focused on the concept of the rule of law and justice for all - indispensable in making these values a reality for all people.

The United Nations has recently stepped up its efforts to strengthen international support for the rule of law and justice, and UNDP is an active partner in a concerted effort to improve coherence and UN coordination in the delivery of justice where it matters most: in communities worldwide.

Supporting the capacity to develop rule of law and access to justice are vital elements of UNDP’s mandate to reduce poverty and strengthen democratic governance. The mandate is based on a human rights based approach to development stressing inclusive participation, equality, and non-discrimination.

UNDP has a long history in supporting national governments and their partners in implementing justice reform programmes. Currently we are engaged in 90 countries, and the demand is growing. These programmes operate in both conflict and post-conflict situations, and in sustainable development contexts. For example, programmes are being implemented in Afghanistan, Sudan (including Darfur), India and Mozambique, Brazil and Serbia – all with an emphasis on responding to the main challenges in the national contexts.

The programmes, embedded in national legislation and strategic frameworks, are implemented through cooperation arrangements funded by national governmental partners and the international community.

In peace-building processes, the rule of law is a fundamental pillar in state-building to ensure social cohesion, sustainable development and to prevent relapse into conflict. There are fewer violent conflicts today than in the 1990’s, but the share of conflicts occurring in poor countries has increased. To assist the poorest and the most disadvantaged living in these situations, it is paramount to restore justice to their communities and to develop the capacity for justice delivery that ensures protection of people and their livelihoods.

UNDP emphasizes  women’s rights and empowerment in the justice reform programmes we support. These include initiatives to further develop international and national normative frameworks, enforcement mechanisms to protect women against gender based violence, including sexual violence, and to further their advancement through access to justice and equal opportunities.

Yesterday, Anti-Corruption day, the 9th of December - we voiced our concern that corruption affects poor people disproportionately. It impedes economic development, reduces social services, allows organized crime and thus undermines democracy and human rights. The justice sector has a distinct role to play in curbing corruption. UNDP is committed to initiatives that make justice services transparent and accountable, affordable and inclusive - providing poor people choice and voice in seeking redress for their individual or collective claims.

We are midway to 2015 – the target year for the achievement of the MDGs at the global level. Significant progress has been made; people living in extreme poverty has fallen by a roughly 250 million, more children are provided primary education, and people can expect to live longer and more productive lives. However, more than a billion people lack access to safe drinking water; 6,000 people die of AIDS each day; more than 750 million adults cannot read – half a billion of them women;  and tclimate change is particularly daunting for developing countries.

Being poor and marginalized means being deprived of choices, opportunities, access to basic resources, and a voice in decision-making. Well crafted pro-poor legislative and justice sector reform contributes to the protection of the livelihoods of poor people and opens up new economic and social opportunities that can contribute to the achievement of the MDGs.