ASEAN-G7 Justice Ministers’ Interface in Tokyo

Your Honor, Mr. Ken Saito, Minister of Justice of Japan,

Malaysia’s Minister of Law and Institutional Reform, Ms Azalina Othman said.

Hon’ble Ministers Hon’ble Ministers,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

First, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Government of Japan for inviting the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to participate in this first meeting of ASEAN and G7 Justice Ministers.

This is an opportune moment when our world faces a myriad of interconnected crises, from violent conflicts to climate emergencies.

Alarmingly, it is estimated that just 12% of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are currently on track.

This includes stalled progress on SDG 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions.

Today, I would like to outline three key directions of change informed by UNDP’s latest assessment of access to justice by our Independent Evaluation Office.

First, international cooperation is needed to promote investment in people-centered justice as one of the cornerstones of peaceful, just and inclusive societies.

The meeting is a significant step towards building coalitions of Member States across regions and countries — an effort to be applauded.

This is the aim of a related global initiative, the Justice Action Alliance, a growing multi-stakeholder group aimed at closing the global justice gap.

Its members include many of the countries represented here today, including Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia and the United States.

In line with these efforts, in 2022, UNDP’s Global Program on Rule of Law and Human Rights provided tailored assistance to more than 100 countries, including ASEAN member states.

UNDP has supported around 85 million people worldwide to have improved access to justice.

To take just one example, look to Thailand, where UNDP worked with the courts to make the justice process accessible, efficient and user-friendly – ​​especially for marginalized groups.

Second, achieving greater justice in our global economy requires the private sector to integrate human rights into its operations.

UNDP is proud to work around the world to provide support tailored to the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

This includes supporting justice and judiciary ministries to develop effective remedies and accountability when injustice is done.

With support from UNDP, Thailand became the first country in the region to adopt a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights in a pipeline that includes Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia.

Through these programs, governments in ASEAN, the EU and beyond are sending strong signals to trading partners that they place a high priority on human rights.

Business and human rights are therefore an important area for further cooperation among ASEAN member states, the G7 and beyond.

Third, the emerging climate emergency requires a new approach to justice

UNDP places great emphasis on the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. future generations,

It also includes our first global strategy for environmental justice.

We are working with countries and communities to ensure that national legal frameworks implement new recognition of this right.

For example, in the Asia-Pacific region, UNDP supports the Youth Advisory Group on Environmental and Climate Justice to empower young environmentalists.

Hon’ble Ministers Hon’ble Ministers,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This is a very challenging time for human rights and the rule of law. I would like to congratulate ASEAN and Japan on yesterday’s adoption of a work plan outlining cooperation on law and justice and UNDP looks forward to supporting its implementation.

As part of the UN family, UNDP is proud to support countries to address these challenges head-on through our Global Program on the Rule of Law and Human Rights, generously supported by Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland. and America.

Yet closing the justice gap requires more sustained investments at the national and international levels. Official development assistance for justice accounts for only 1% of bilateral aid — 7% is allocated to education and 13% to health.

Actually, we mean 75^Th 2023 is the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Three-quarters of a century after its adoption, the Declaration not only inspires but also commits to continuing to ensure dignity, freedom and justice for all. All countries have an inherent responsibility to act proactively Cultivation It is.

Thanks.