RULE OF LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS Annual Report 2024
Impact
Thematic focus
 = Global Focal Point

Africa

Arab States

Asia-Pacific

Europe and Central Asia

Latin America and the Caribbean

Justice Futures CoLab

UNDP expanded its work and remained steadfast in its commitment to support and implement innovative people-centred justice programming to close the justice gap, particularly in crisis, complex and fragile settings, in synergy with national and international partners.

Human Rights Systems

UNDP works to support human rights solutions that strengthen accountability, protect communities and foster peace, recovery and stability. In 2024, UNDP has sustained investments in strengthening national human rights systems, including supporting national human rights institutions (NHRIs) globally.

Business and Human Rights

UNDP assists governments, businesses, civil society organizations (CSOs), labour organizations, national human rights institutions (NHRIs), environmental and human rights defenders, media and others in advancing responsible business practices.

Community Security

In 2024, the global peace and security landscape became increasingly strained, with escalating conflicts, intensifying geopolitical tensions and emerging transnational threats further aggravating pre-existing vulnerabilities. In response, UNDP intensified its support for sustainable peace by advancing inclusive, community-driven security approaches.

Global Focal Point for the Rule of Law

The UN Global Focal Point for the Rule of Law (GFP) is a joint arrangement for delivery of the rule of law in fragile settings. Co-chaired by UNDP and the UN Department of Peace Operations (DPO), GFP reinforces One-UN approach at the global and national levels to address violent conflicts, protect human rights and restore justice and security for people affected by crisis and conflict.

2024 annual report

Rule of law and human rights

A judge of the Special Criminal Court in the Central African Republic.

Photo: UNDP/CAR Niyi Fagbemi
Download 2024 Highlights

About this report

This is the 2024 annual report of UNDP’s Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development (the Global Programme), UNDP’s primary mechanism for programming in these areas.

The Global Programme is implemented by the Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights team, which in 2024 was integrated into the newly established Governance, Rule of Law and Peacebuilding Hub, co-managed by UNDP Crisis Bureau and the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS). Read more

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Haoliang Xu,
Acting Administrator, UNDP

Messages from leadership

Foreword

"Breakthroughs in science, technology, and other fields have opened up incredible opportunities – showing what we can achieve when we work together..."

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Messages from leadership

Introduction

“As we launch this global report on rule of law and human rights, I’m reminded of the people behind the numbers – those living through war, displacement and climate shocks....”

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Shoko Noda,
Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator, Director, Crisis Bureau, UNDP

About this report

In 2024, the Global Programme provided financial, technical and expert support to over 100 countries and territories worldwide. Nearly 40 of these are featured in this report, offering an overview of UNDP’s integrated work on rule of law, human rights, justice and security in conflict-affected, crisis, fragile or postconflict contexts: in the Balkans, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Myanmar, the State of Palestine, Ukraine, Venezuela, Yemen and beyond.

In addition to highlighting the Global Programme’s achievements, this report outlines UNDP’s broader contributions to advancing the rule of law, justice, security and human rights. It focuses on contexts where sustained and, in many cases, long-term support from the Global Programme has enabled the continuity of programming and/or catalysed additional resources and expanded efforts. 

Beyond country and territory level results, the report also presents progress under the Global Programme’s three core workstreams: people-centred justice and security; human rights; and business and human rights.

A key emphasis of the report is the Global Programme’s unique role as a platform for partnerships across the UN system and beyond, in line with UNDP’s designated role as an ‘integrator’ and in support of the One-UN approach. 

The Global Programme continues to invest in improving how it captures, understands and communicates its impact – stimulating learning and facilitating knowledge sharing among partners and rule of law practitioners. A new feature of this year’s report is a dedicated Lessons Learned section, summarizing key insights from UNDP’s policy and programming work. 

In 2024, as conflicts intensified, political instability deepened and civic space continued to shrink, UNDP remained unwavering in its commitment to advancing the rule of law, justice, human rights and security. These pillars are not only essential safeguards in times of crisis, they are the foundation for peace, protection and recovery. As global governance faces unprecedented challenges, the need for these lifelines is acute. UNDP continues to stand with national partners, civil society and communities to uphold multilateral values, deliver inclusive and rights-based solutions and expand the pathways to justice and accountability for all. 

In 2024, the Global Programme operated thanks to the generous contributions of Austria, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Japan, The Netherlands, Norway, Republic of Korea, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States.