In the 2012 Declaration of the High-Level meeting of the General Assembly on the rule of law at the national and international levels, world leaders acknowledged “that the rule of law and development are strongly interrelated and mutually reinforcing, that the advancement of the rule of law at the national and international levels is essential for sustained and inclusive economic growth, sustainable development, the eradication of poverty and hunger and the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development, all of which in turn reinforce the rule of law.” They further stated that “for this reason we are convinced that this interrelationship should be considered in the post-2015 international development agenda.”

More recently, in the Outcome document of the Special Event to follow-up on efforts made towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals held on September 25th, leaders have underlined the need for a coherent approach to the elaboration of the post-2015 development agenda that integrates in a balanced manner the three dimensions of sustainable development. This approach should also promote peace and security, democratic governance, the rule of law, gender equality and human rights for all.

As a complement to the work of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals and building upon the aforementioned consensually agreed political outcomes, the President of the General Assembly will convene a high-level event to further address the contributions of human rights and the rule of law in the post-2015 development agenda.