The Assembly of Parties of the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) took place today at the Farnesina. Based in Rome, IDLO is an inter-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting the rule of law and good governance in developing countries, countries undergoing economic transition and countries emerging from armed conflict.
The meeting, attended by representatives of over 30 member states, was opened by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Michele Valensise, representing Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni. Secretary General Valensise underscored that “certainty in the law is the first antidote to conflicts. In a world undergoing profound transformations, shaken by crises and flagrante violations of the rule of law, the IDLO is an instrument that can promote peace, justice and development”. Valensise also recalled the crucial role played by the rule of law in the pathway to sustainable development: “Italy is firmly committed to promoting this goal in the new Agenda 2030”.
The decision to host the two-day meeting at the Farnesina underscores Italy’s support for the IDLO and initiatives to strengthen the rule of law. Italian Development Cooperation supports the work of the organisation with dedicated resources and with compulsory and voluntary payments that have seen a notable increase over the last two years. For 2015, funding amounts to over 2.5 million euro.
Key topics for the Assembly of Parties include the approval of the programme and budget for 2016, the renewal of the Director General’s appointment and those of other senior members, and an interactive debate on “The Rule of Law and Agenda 2030”. In today’s session, Director General Irene Khan was re-elected unanimously, while three new member countries signed their entry to the organisation: Honduras, Mongolia and Pakistan.
