Introduction

In 2021, profound threats to the rule of law and human rights reminded us of the connected nature of crisis and the fragile state of sustainable peace and development.

From Afghanistan to Myanmar, Mali, Sudan, Ukraine, and beyond, protracted conflicts, increased political violence, and the weakening of key institutions contributed to rising levels of injustice and inequality around the globe.

Set against the backdrop of a lingering pandemic and accelerating climate change, these events have cascaded into a series of global crises. Today, food insecurity places millions on the brink of famine. A record 100 million people – representing one percent of the world’s population – have been forcibly displaced. And nearly a quarter of a billion more individuals face extreme poverty.

In this challenging context, UNDP’s Crisis Bureau upgraded its corporate crisis response mechanisms to anticipate and act earlier to prevent crisis.

In 2021, the Global Programme deployed support to at-risk individuals and marginalized communities in nearly 50 conflict and crisis-affected contexts around the globe.

These efforts ranged from advising on the design and implementation of high-level reforms in Guinea (Conakry) and Sudan to constitutional support in Algeria and Chile. From the development of dispute resolution mechanisms in Guinea-Bissau and Syria to digital justice solutions in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the State of Palestine.

This 2021 annual report further highlights broad support for initiatives that enhance the rule of law, human rights, justice and security for communities and governments worldwide. In Honduras, UNDP’s campaign encouraged indigenous people to exercise their right to vote in the 2021 elections. In Liberia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Ukraine, the Global Programme provided direct service and legislative support for sexual and gender-based violence survivors.

In 2021 the Global Programme also scaled up its support in places where it matters most - volatile crisis situations - through efforts such as rule of law support in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Syria and Yemen and the organization of mobile courts for rural populations in Burkina Faso and South Sudan.

We also made important progress in our global efforts to support the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). Through its Business and Human Rights programme in Asia, UNDP supported the implementation of National Action Plans to engage the private sector in promoting equality, environmental protection, and women’s empowerment in Indonesia, Mongolia, and Pakistan.

This year’s report also marks the transition to a new phase of UNDP’s Global Programme and the opportunity to evaluate the challenges and achievements over the lifetime of this programme phase III (2016-2021). This report will also contribute to the implementation of phase IV (2022-2025).

Phase IV of UNDP’s Global Programme advances the recognition of rule of law, justice, security and human rights as interlinked and mutually reinforcing concepts that, when strengthened together, enable more peaceful, just and inclusive societies.

The Programme will tackle inequality, injustice and insecurity with a people-centered, community-based approach to development through partnership and innovation.
This new phase will embrace the One-UN approach to rule of law, security, justice and human rights and will scale up coordination with UN partners such as OHCHR, PBSO, UN Women, UNHCR, UNODA (SALIENT), UNPOL, UNODC and others.