The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) is the only global intergovernmental organization exclusively devoted to promoting the rule of law to advance peace and sustainable development.
IDLO partners with governments and communities to develop targeted rule of law solutions that help them tackle complex challenges and realize their development priorities – from preventing conflict to fighting organized crime and promoting inclusive economic growth.
Our vision
A world in which every person lives in dignity and equality under the rule of law.
Our mission
We champion people-centred justice and promote the rule of law to advance sustainable development and help build more peaceful, inclusive and resilient societies.
Foreword
The rule of law remains one of the most powerful tools for building peace, advancing rights and achieving sustainable development. In 2024, IDLO continued to stand with its partners in navigating an increasingly complex global landscape.
As this report shows, IDLO’s work has demonstrated both relevance and impact. From empowering justice seekers in fragile and conflict-affected settings to strengthening institutions and promoting inclusive legal reforms, it captures the tangible progress made over the past year. It reflects the determination of our staff and partners, and the trust of the communities we serve.
IDLO has responded with agility to rising challenges – supporting legal empowerment, driving innovation in justice systems, and advancing the rights of women and girls. We have worked to bridge the gap between formal and customary systems, strengthened anticorruption and transparency frameworks, and helped governments use the law to promote food security, public health and economic opportunity.
Throughout this period, we have also taken important steps to enhance our effectiveness as an organization –improving systems, investing in people, and deepening partnerships that expand our reach and influence.
As the 2021-2024 strategic cycle ends, I am grateful for the collaboration and support that has enabled IDLO to deliver on its mission in extremely challenging circumstances. Looking ahead, IDLO is committed to scaling up its efforts through a new Strategic Plan that will guide our work in the years to come.
We will remain focused on delivering targeted rule of law solutions that respond to local needs while supporting global progress. Together, we can build more just, inclusive and resilient societies where the law serves all people.
Sincerely,
Director-General
Strategic Plan 2021-2024
Rule of law solutions for a world in crisis
Reflections on IDLO’s 2021-2024 Strategic Plan
Developed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Strategic Plan 2021-2024 guided IDLO’s work through an extraordinarily volatile time characterized by intersecting crises – from armed conflict to humanitarian emergencies and a global decline in the rule of law. It reflected our belief that the rule of law is more than an abstract principle – it is a powerful tool to promote peace, unlock development, and protect human rights.
Over the past four years IDLO supported some 600 legal and policy reform efforts. We partnered with countries and communities across the development spectrum to use the law as a tool to eliminate discrimination, combat corruption, promote trade and investment, and strengthen pandemic preparedness and response.
We advanced innovations in justice delivery in complex environments, including Afghanistan, the Sahel, Somalia and Ukraine, and empowered more than 250,000 people to resolve their disputes and access justice services.
With a focus on making the law work for people, IDLO provided tailored support to over 500 justice institutions and trained more than 36,500 officials –from judges and prosecutors to police officers and customary leaders.
Integrating programming, research and policy advocacy is key to IDLO’s approach. We contributed to evidence-based policymaking and helped shape global and national agendas by highlighting the contribution of the rule of law to peace and sustainable development through targeted advocacy and flagship publications on topics such as customary and informal justice, justice for women and girls, and legal dimensions of food security.
Stronger partnerships were critical in maximizing resources and amplifying results. By engaging governments, multilateral organizations, civil society, academia and the private sector, IDLO fostered shared learning, policy coherence and coordinated action.
We introduced innovations in programme design and results monitoring and strengthened systems and processes for efficiency, accountability and security risk management to respond more effectively to emerging needs and ensure that IDLO is well-positioned to support our partners in a shifting global landscape.
Informed by lessons learned, extensive stakeholder consultations and an analysis of emerging global
Over the past four years IDLO supported some 600 legal and policy reforms.
trends, IDLO has developed a new Strategic Plan for the next four years. It reflects a shared vision: a more engaged, adaptive and forward-leaning organization that supports partners to develop targeted rule of law solutions that meet community needs, advance national priorities and confront the world’s most urgent challenges.
Key results 2021–2024
145,000 assisted with direct legal advice or representation
105,000 received legal information More than 250,000 justice seekers empowered, including
257 Customary and informal justice mechanisms and processes better aligned with international human rights standards
87% reported satisfaction with services provided
88% gained knowledge on how to access legal help
48 digital innovation processes supported
Over 36,500 justice officials trained
80% applied the knowledge gained in their work
76 initiatives supported to enhance transparency, integrity, and anticorruption
624 legal reforms supported
79% developed and/or enacted
506 institutions strengthened
Empowering justice seekers
People’s ability to understand and claim their rights and to participate in decisionmaking is essential to building trust in the justice system and public institutions.
This is particularly true in conflict-affected contexts, where legal systems are weak or inaccessible, leaving people and communities with few legal options. The majority of IDLO’s work is concentrated in these fragile contexts to bring justice reforms to where they are needed most.
We work to provide justice seekers and communities with the knowledge and tools to engage with the laws and institutions that affect their daily lives. We focus on reaching those most at risk of being left behind, with a special emphasis on the empowerment of women and girls.
IDLO’s people-centred approach combines bottom-up and top-down efforts to ensure that all people can fully enjoy their rights.
107,200 justice seekers empowered
In 2024:
4.1 million people reached through awareness campaigns
161 Customary and Informal Justice mechanisms supported
Delivering legal empowerment to marginalized communities in Uganda
In 2023, Cecilia Aloyo, a 52-year-old farmer from Amuru District in Northern Uganda, purchased a piece of land at an agreed price from another resident in her village.
Six months later, despite receiving the payment, the seller began demanding additional money from Aloyo, claiming she had trespassed across the boundary of the land he sold her.
Aloyo relented and paid the man additional fees, but the harassment continued.
The Community Justice Project works with national partners to offer legal aid services to rural, vulnerable and marginalized communities.
“They threatened to break down my house and set it on fire,” she said. “They took my goats and things weren’t easy.”
Aloyo reported the matter to The Uganda Association of Women Lawyers’ (FIDA Uganda) Legal Aid Clinic in Lamwo, which is supported by IDLO’s Community Justice Project (CJP).
The CJP works with national partners to offer legal aid services to rural, vulnerable and marginalized communities and champion advocacy for legal and
policy reforms. These organizations also provide legal and economic empowerment to communities, something which is crucial to preserving social cohesion and reducing the injustices that fuel conflict and instability.
In 2024, the programme provided legal aid services to over 9,000 people living in remote communities, more than half of whom were women. Along with land issues, these services help to resolve cases of domestic violence, family disputes and petty crime.
In Aloyo’s case, legal aid officers came to her village to survey and demarcate her land in the presence of clan leaders and local authorities, enabling her to use the ten acres that she had originally purchased without further issue.
“My plan is to farm on a large scale so that I can replace the things that were destroyed during the conflict,” she said. “[I will] take care of my children, pay school fees for them, and buy more animals and rear them on the land that was restored back to me.”
FIDA Uganda also sensitized the local community on the equal treatment of women and respecting the rights of all people, laying the groundwork for sustainable land justice.
Aloyo encourages women experiencing similar land wrangling challenges to take advantage of the programme’s legal aid services.
“The truth is, I was helped,” she said. “Now, I am in a better place. Now, I am accorded some respect, unlike before.”
The programme provided legal aid services to over 9,000 people living in remote communities, more than half of whom were women.
Fostering social cohesion through customary and informal justice mechanisms in Somaliland
In 2024, IDLO continued its work across countries to ensure that customary and informal justice (CIJ) services are more accessible, coordinated with formal justice systems, and aligned with international standards.
With a significant portion of the global population relying on CIJ mechanisms to resolve their legal disputes, this has been a growing area of work for IDLO over the last four years.
In Somaliland, for example, extreme weather events have led to competition and conflict over increasingly scarce natural resources.
IDLO developed two briefing documents in 2024 that delved into these issues. They highlighted the impact of severe droughts and an ongoing armed conflict in the eastern Sool region, including mass displacement.
Finding ways to peacefully resolve disputes can help promote stability and reduce violence, particularly in rural areas like Sool. Yet, because they are so remote, these communities often have no way to access critical justice services.
Mobile Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) centres play a vital role in solving this issue. With the ability to travel to remote areas, they offer people in rural and nomadic communities accessible ways to address land disputes.
In 2024, IDLO increased service provision in its mobile ADR centres from a quarterly to a monthly basis, with facilities in Sool and the neighbouring Sanaag region receiving 1,051 cases
The mobile centres grew out of the successes of IDLO’s longstanding work with physical ADR centres, as part of its Access to Justice programme.
The eight ADR centres that IDLO supports in Somaliland managed a total of 3,950 cases in 2024, surpassing the programme’s overall target. Nearly two-thirds of these were resolved through CIJ mechanisms — a 78 per cent per cent increase over 2023.
Women brought 70 per cent of the ADR centres’ cases, highlighting their important role in women’s ability to access justice, something which has been a continuing challenge in both formal and customary systems.
By enabling justice seekers to realize their rights and redress grievances, CIJ mechanisms like the ADR centres not only help individual communities thrive; they preserve societal bonds that protect against instability and conflict, encouraging people experiencing disputes to resort to the law rather than force.
Customary and informal actors at the centre of justice
Customary and informal justice (CIJ) systems are how most disputes globally are resolved. They are incredibly diverse, ranging from local family-based mediation practices to customary, faith-based and Indigenous justice systems. Despite their central role, CIJ systems are often left out of the conversation on justice reform.
Drawing on experience in over a dozen countries, IDLO has been working for several years to better understand and constructively engage with CIJ systems in ways that respect rights, empower people, and strengthen linkages with formal justice systems. Since 2020, IDLO has coordinated the Working Group on Customary and Informal Justice and SDG 16+, which brings together UN organizations, civil society groups, community leaders, women’s rights advocates, academics and research institutions.
Over the past year, IDLO shared new insights on women’s participation and leadership in CIJ systems at a side event during the 68th Commission on the Status of Women; co-hosted a regional policy dialogue in Dakar that showcased CIJ as a solution to justice and stability challenges in West Africa and the Sahel; and co-convened a deep-dive session at the World Bank’s inaugural Global Forum on Justice and Rule of Law — a clear signal that CIJ is seen as an essential contributor to the rule of law.
IDLO also expanded its relationship with European Union (EU) institutions, co-convening a series of webinars focused on practical integration of informal and community-based justice actors in rule of law programming. These initiatives delivered within the framework of the Team Europe Democracy Initiative, will help equip EU policymakers and practitioners to expand rights-based interventions on CIJ.
Making laws and institutions work for people
Delivering justice requires institutions that are not only effective, accessible and fair but which are responsive to people’s needs and respect their human rights.
IDLO supports institutions and actors across the justice chain, working within diverse legal systems and complex social, cultural and political environments. By strengthening the criminal justice chain, supporting anticorruption initiatives and increasing digital innovation in justice systems, our goal is to drive sustainable reforms that help institutions deliver for people.
97 justice institutions
29 initiatives facilitated to strengthen integrity, transparency, and anticorruption in 11 countries
Combatting terrorism by prosecuting financial crimes in Somalia
Disrupting illicit financial flows and money laundering is key to curbing the activities of terrorist groups, such as Al-Shabaab, which pose a profound threat to peace and stability in Somalia and the Horn of Africa.
In 2024, IDLO supported Somalia to achieve tangible results in the prosecution of terrorist financing, working in close partnership with the country’s Attorney General’s Office (AGO), Judiciary and Financial Reporting Center (FRC).
Through support provided to the FRC, 91 terrorism financing cases were referred to the AGO, and mentors were seconded by IDLO to assist in the prosecution process.
In May 2024, attorneys in the Banadir Regional Court secured the country’s firstever conviction for terrorism financing and money laundering by a civilian judiciary. In the months since, prosecutors
Somalia successfully prosecuted more than 250 money laundering and terrorism financing cases and issued 152 arrest warrants.
obtained a further 13 convictions.
Across the year, Somalia successfully prosecuted more than 250 money laundering and terrorism financing cases and issued 152 arrest warrants.
In addition, Somalia’s Targeted Financial Sanctions Regime, whose creation IDLO supported, recently issued the country’s first official list of individuals designated for terrorist financing, allowing the government to freeze 1,847 bank accounts and seize more than $US 958,000.
IDLO also continued its support to Somalia’s ongoing Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force mutual evaluation, helping to align its regulatory framework with recommendations from the Financial Action Task Force, a global body that sets standards for tackling money laundering and terrorist financing.
Advancing anticorruption initiatives to build trust and transparency
Corruption erodes trust in public institutions and holds back economic development. It diverts money out of critical programmes and services, stoking public anger and undermining trust in governments.
IDLO’s continued support in 2024 for specialized anticorruption bodies, judicial actors and prosecutors aims to eliminate corruption by enforcing accountability, fostering transparency and improving oversight mechanisms.
Our work in Ukraine is laying an essential foundation for an efficient and independent judiciary and eventual post-war recovery. In 2024, IDLO assisted Ukraine’s national judicial administration and bodies in developing unified standards and indicators to assess the integrity and ethics of sitting judges and judgeship candidates. We also helped redesign the country’s Code of Judicial Ethics to make it actionable and aligned with Ukrainian and international best practices, including the prevention of harassment and discrimination in the workplace. The Code will play a key role in the judicial qualification assessment and disciplinary proceedings.
To strengthen judicial accountability and boost public trust, IDLO led international technical assistance for the creation of a new institution under Ukraine’s High Council of Justice tasked with an initial review of complaints filed against sitting judges, and organized tailored workshops on the Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct for recently appointed inspectors.
In October, we presented the Office of the Prosecutor General with the findings of a comprehensive analysis of the prosecution service, including concrete recommendations to improve operational efficiency, enhance transparency and bolster public trust.
Drawing on our experience in Ukraine, IDLO also supported the vetting of prosecutors and key personnel from governing bodies in Moldova — a critical step towards EU accession. In 2024, we assisted the country’s Prosecutor Vetting Commission in becoming fully operational following the parliamentary confirmation of international commissioners. Since then, the Commission has launched evaluations of anticorruption prosecutors within the specialized Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office, and reviewed candidates for leadership roles within the Superior Council of Prosecutors.
In Mongolia, IDLO’s Mongolian Institutional Integrity and Transparency (MINT) project worked to strengthen the country’s legal and institutional frameworks while promoting citizen oversight. The three-year initiative, which concluded successfully in 2024, was carried out in partnership with Mongolia’s Independent Authority Against Corruption, the Prosecutor General’s Office and other justice institutions. Key successes included the drafting and submission of a standalone Law on Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) in Criminal Matters, amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code, the publication of an MLA handbook and the training of over two
thousand police detectives, prosecutors and other justice sector professionals on requesting and receiving legal assistance, handling electronic evidence, and navigating the various stages of asset recovery procedures in criminal cases.
Additionally, MINT introduced a new system for conducting independent corruption risk assessments of state-owned enterprises. It took the novel approach of training analysts from diverse professional backgrounds — from financial auditors and accountants, to lawyers, researchers and teachers — to review corruption risk, increasing independence and transparency. IDLO also supported a comprehensive review of Mongolia’s implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption and provided financial and technical assistance for the development of a new National Anticorruption Programme based on the review’s findings. This new programme was officially endorsed by Mongolia’s Parliament, paving the way for sustainable national reforms.
Our anticorruption efforts also extended to Latin America, where we carried out assessments grounded in recently conducted in-depth legal and institutional analyses of anticorruption efforts in Ecuador, Guatemala and Peru, to inform nationally led efforts to combat corruption.
In the Africa region, IDLO finalized a comprehensive review of the anticorruption legislative framework in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and assessed the training and organizational needs of its anticorruption agencies. In December, we brought together 13 anticorruption institutions to address persistent coordination challenges and validate the review’s findings.
The year 2024 also marked a significant step forward for IDLO’s anticorruption advocacy, most notably with the G7. In June, we participated as an observer in the second meeting of the G7 Anticorruption Working Group, launched under the G7’s Italian presidency. In November, we joined the G7 Anticorruption Task Force for Ukraine led by Japan’s Ministry of Justice.
Together, these anticorruption engagements and programmes are helping to instil good governance principles, build trust in institutions, and deliver on the promise of sustainable development.
Strengthening state responses to transnational organized crime in East Africa
Transnational organized crime (TOC) reaches across borders, weakening the rule of law, fuelling corruption and disrupting legitimate global supply chains. Tackling it is essential to shoring up regional and global security.
Since 2022, IDLO’s East Africa Transnational Organized Crime (EATOC) project has worked to strengthen the ability of countries to investigate, prosecute and adjudicate offenses associated with TOC.
Through regional and national information-sharing platforms, for instance, the project has supported the creation of networks of actors working to combat TOC.
These groups were able to broker key Mutual Legal Assistance and other agreements, facilitating consultations in Kenya, Mozambique and Tanzania on the investigation of TOC cases, information sharing
and response planning.
In one recent instance, Mozambique’s investigative authority realized the quality of raw CCTV footage crucial to building a case against suspected human traffickers was too poor to be used as evidence.
Thanks to a 2024 agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between Kenya and Mozambique, investigators were able to access Kenya’s advanced video analysis technology to examine the footage, enabling it to be admissible in court and ultimately building a stronger prosecution case against the traffickers.
The project has also spurred the design and adoption of several joint TOC response resolutions by law enforcement, prosecution and judicial stakeholders in the three focus countries.
The resolutions continue to shape policy reforms and decision-making on TOC response strategies, including the development by Tanzania of Operational Guidelines for TOC Investigators and Prosecutors, and recent development of the East Africa Association of Prosecutors Strategic Framework for the effective prosecution of TOC cases in the region.
In 2024, we also worked with judicial training institutions in Kenya, Mozambique and Tanzania to adopt the first ever uniform master training curriculum on TOC for investigators, prosecutors and judges.
By facilitating cross-border collaboration and streamlining capacity development, the curriculum is helping TOC actors in the three countries to update their knowledge and skills and respond to evolving challenges.
Promoting digital innovation in justice systems
In 2024, IDLO continued to leverage digital technology to boost access to justice, making legal services more accessible, transparent and efficient.
In The Gambia, we supported the judiciary in piloting a new case management system designed to decrease case backlogs and boost judicial efficiency. Two weeks after the deployment of the new system in two High Courts and a Magistrate Court, the pilot sites recorded a 300 per cent increase in daily witness hearings. This significant reduction in the case backlog allowed the court to plan to hear years’ worth of witness testimonies in the span of a few months. IDLO also trained 121 Ministry of Justice staff and 30 magistrates on case management and digital evidence.
In Honduras, IDLO’s project, Enhancing Judicial Transparency and Promoting Public Trust, helped improve the operational efficiency of the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ). As part of this initiative, we installed software for anonymizing judicial sentences at the SCJ’s Electronic Centre for Judicial Documentation and developed a Protocol for Public Versions of Judicial Sentences which the SCJ later adopted. IDLO also helped the government develop a pathway towards a more transparent and efficient justice sector, including an Open Justice Roadmap and a series of training courses with an online module for legal professionals available on the Judicial Academy’s Platform. We handed over key digital tools to the country’s judiciary, including a Public Information Request Registry to improve public access to judicial data. As part of a Self-
funded Regional Initiative on Anticorruption, IDLO also facilitated exchanges on anticorruption and data protection for Honduran partners, including high-level study visits to Colombia and Spain to share best practices and inform the Honduran Personal Data Protection Bill.
In Moldova, IDLO supported the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) to develop and launch a three-year programme to enhance integrity, transparency and accountability in the justice sector by leveraging digital technologies. The Integrated Legal Professions Platform enables the digital management of credentials for all legal professions in Moldova, streamlining processes for registration, certification and reference checks. IDLO assisted in drafting and adopting the regulations governing the platform, conducted training sessions for MOJ stakeholders, and successfully transferred full ownership of the system to the Ministry. We also began work on an ‘e-integrity’ system for Moldova’s National Integrity Authority, which will automate audits of asset declarations and conflicts of interest, improving efficiency and detecting misconduct more effectively.
In The Gambia, two weeks after the deployment of the new system in two High Courts and a Magistrate Court, the pilot sites recorded a 300 per cent increase in daily witness hearings.
Reducing the justice gap for women and girls
Whether it is unequal property and inheritance rights, difficulty in accessing justice systems, or barriers to employment, finance or entrepreneurship, women and girls around the world still face unequal treatment under the law. These inequalities harm lives and livelihoods, slow economic growth and undermine social cohesion.
IDLO is committed to closing this justice gap by working to eliminate discriminatory laws and practices, while supporting the enforcement of legal protections that uphold the rights of women and girls.
Through the rule of law, we promote equitable access to justice services, combat violence against women and girls, safeguard women’s economic and land rights and strengthen their ability to participate on an equal basis in justice systems.
In 2024:
1,909 survivors of violence against women and girls assisted
23 reform processes supported to advance women’s equal participation in the justice sector
Supporting legal advice and dispute resolution for women and girls in Afghanistan
In 2024, IDLO continued to work closely with civil society organizations (CSOs), legal networks and independent service providers in Afghanistan to deliver assistance to those in highly vulnerable conditions, especially women and girls. In a context marked by political uncertainty, constrained civic space and fragile institutional frameworks, our continued presence on the ground remained vital.
Throughout the year, we delivered targeted capacity building, workshops and coordination support to a range of stakeholders, in topics including inheritance law, family law and other legal and non-legal subject matter, equipping legal professionals with the knowledge necessary to advocate for women’s rights. Thousands of Afghans benefited from these interventions, including many women who received assistance in resolving family and inheritance disputes.
For example, in June 2024, a woman in the southern province of Helmand reclaimed her inheritance with support from an IDLO-trained female lawyer and her assistants. The woman’s family
had denied her share of inheritance based on the claim that their late father’s will allotted property only to his sons. Drawing on IDLO’s recent Inheritance Law training in May 2024, the lawyer explained that under Sharia law, a will cannot override a woman’s legal entitlement. In early July 2024, the woman submitted her case to the Primary Court, which ruled in her favour.
IDLO also supported local organizations and empowered community-based actors to establish safe and inclusive platforms where returnees and migrants could openly discuss their challenges, share experiences and collaboratively explore solutions.
Each of these interventions represents a vital opportunity within the increasingly restrictive context for women in Afghanistan. However, they only begin to address the immense needs on the ground. Sustained and scaled support, based on the experiences of Afghan communities and led by local actors, is essential. With continued investment from our partners, IDLO stands ready to expand its efforts to build more resilient, inclusive and accessible justice systems for all Afghans.
Advocating to bridge the justice gap for women and girls
In 2024, IDLO’s policy advocacy on reducing the justice gap for women and girls included participation in key global and regional engagements, such as:
The 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, where IDLO delivered a statement during the general discussion and co-organized three official side events, under the priority theme, ‘Accelerating the Achievement of Gender Equality and the Empowerment of All Women and Girls by Addressing Poverty and Strengthening Institutions and Financing with a Gender Perspective.’
The 56th session of the Human Rights Council, where IDLO took part in the highlevel segment and in a panel discussion on ‘Human Rights Economy and Women’s Human Rights’ during the Annual Discussion on Women’s Rights.
The High-Level Political Forum, where IDLO co-organized an event on achieving equality under the law and accelerating the elimination of discriminatory laws against women and girls.
The Beijing+30 Regional Review Meetings, convened by UN Women and the UN Economic Commission for Europe in Geneva, and the UN Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa, where IDLO organized two side events and spoke at an official session on pathways to accelerate progress in implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
The G7 Gender Equality and Women’s
Advancing coordinated responses to violence against women in Tunisia
Empowerment Working Group, where IDLO participated as an observer.
The 16 Days of Activism against Genderbased Violence, where IDLO issued a joint statement with 13 UN entities and other partners to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, calling for urgent action to prevent violence against women and invest in solutions to protect women and girls.
Despite the progressive framework of Tunisia’s Law 58 (2017), aimed at combating violence against women and girls (VAWG), implementation has lagged.
Getting innovative laws on the books is an essential step towards justice, but legislation can only go so far as long as people remain unaware of their rights and how to claim them.
Bridging this gap has been a critical part of IDLO’s longstanding efforts in Tunisia to strengthen access to justice for women and girls, especially survivors of violence, through its ‘Enhancing Gender Responsiveness in the Justice and Security Sectors in Tunisia’ project.
In 2024, we completed a comprehensive needs assessment on Law 58’s implementation, which identified key gaps and opportunities, laying a solid foundation for more effective
coordination for implementation between state and non-state actors.
Complementing this effort, IDLO conducted a nationwide mapping of care facilities for women survivors of violence and supported the development of a standardized referral protocol for VAWG cases.
To further enhance institutional capacity, IDLO also organized an exposure visit to the United States for members of the Tunisian judiciary, enabling them to engage with international best practices in addressing violence against women.
Through these initiatives, we are supporting Tunisia in taking critical steps toward establishing a cohesive institutional framework capable of upholding and protecting the rights of women and girls.
Inclusive economic development
Strong legal frameworks and reliable dispute resolution mechanisms encourage entrepreneurship, investment and innovation, which in turn create jobs and uplift entire communities.
IDLO assists governments in reforming or developing laws and regulations that make it easier for businesses to start up and operate fairly. By helping countries to simplify regulations, expedite commercial dispute resolution and enforce contract and property rights, IDLO promotes trade and investment and helps businesses navigate the legal environment securely.
IDLO also educates the public — especially women, small business and youth — on access to economic opportunities, helping to foster broader participation in the economic sphere. These efforts strengthen pathways to prosperity across societies, benefiting citizens and attracting responsible investment over the long term.
15
25
Enhancing commercial justice through Kenya’s small claims courts
Demand for swift, accessible and reliable justice solutions has continued to rise among Kenya’s business community. Small claims courts (SCCs), designed to expedite the resolution of commercial disputes, have emerged as a critical tool in meeting this need.
IDLO has supported the establishment of the SCCs since their inception in 2020 as part of a longstanding partnership with Kenya’s Judiciary.
Through the Justice, Human Rights and Equality Engagement Programme (JHREP), we supported SCCs in 12 law courts, spanning the counties of Eldoret,
15,500 cases filed in small claims courts supported by the Justice, Human Rights and Equality Engagement Programme were successfully resolved in 2024.
With the jurisdiction to hear and determine civil claims of up to KES 1,000,000 ($US 7,740) this model offers a simplified, faster and more affordable pathway to justice.
As of July 2024, the SCCs had helped to reduce the duration of commercial litigation cases from up to 465 days down to just 66 days, with the goal of eventually concluding any case within 60 days.
The impact has been significant.
In 2024, 93 per cent of the nearly
15,500 cases filed in SCCs supported by the JHREP were successfully resolved. This high resolution rate is reinforcing confidence in Kenya’s justice system among businesses, investors and the wider private sector, who rely on timely dispute resolution to safeguard their interests and operations.
IDLO’s support for technology and the automation of court processes in Kenya’s Judiciary has further enhanced efficiency. In Eldoret Law Courts, for example, the introduction of an automated e-filing system now enables litigants to file claims remotely, cutting case filing time from five
hours to just 20 minutes. This has not only improved access for individuals in remote areas but also reduced the risk of lost files and accelerated document retrieval.
By resolving commercial disputes promptly, SCCs are also unlocking critical financial resources that would otherwise be tied up in protracted litigation. In 2024, the value of cases determined by the IDLO-supported SCCs was KES 4,372,241 (over $US 33.8 million). These funds can now be reinvested into businesses, stimulating trade, supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises — the backbone of Kenya’s economy — and boosting investor confidence.
By resolving commercial disputes promptly, SCCs are also unlocking critical financial resources that would otherwise be tied up in protracted litigation.
Supporting economic development in the least developed countries
In 2024, IDLO completed the initial phase of the Investment Support Programme for Least Developed Countries (ISP/LDCs), an innovative public-private partnership.
From 2019 to 2024, the programme provided pro-bono assistance to implement 16 initiatives in nine least developed countries (LDCs), Ethiopia, The Gambia, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia and Uganda.
The programme used an innovative public-private approach that mobilized expertise from private sector development partners and academic institutions.
It offered free or reduced-fee assistance to enhance countries’ abilities to negotiate investment agreements, resolve disputes and align their investment frameworks with sustainable development goals.
A rule of law approach to investment issues in LDCs is critical for countries and investors to obtain fair deals and minimize risk.
For instance, the programme increased Liberia’s capacity to manage the complex legal aspects of port management and boosted Uganda’s ability to integrate community rights into investment agreements.
In Mauritania, the capacity development provided by the programme was institutionalized into a national arbitration and mediation centre, significantly increasing its capacity to handle investment disputes — from just 2 to over 50 in a year.
IDLO assisted The Gambia, in avoiding a claim of $US 200-300 million in an international arbitral proceeding initiated by a foreign investor concerning two offshore petroleum licenses.
Through the ISP/LDCs programme, the government found an expert to support its case and secured a highly favorable out-of-court settlement.
In addition to the cost savings, the settlement enhanced The Gambia’s capacity to manage its natural resources in alignment with national priorities, promoting inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.
The programme also provided the government of The Gambia with technical assistance in the development of
the Sustainable Investment Facilitation and Cooperation Agreement, a next-generation model bilateral investment treaty addressing the key challenges LDCs face in international investment agreement negotiations.
The treaty promotes a fair balance of rights and obligations between parties, introduces investor responsibilities for
environmental protection, labour, human rights and anticorruption.
By fostering strategic partnerships, providing tailored technical support, and effectively leveraging private sector resources, the ISP/LDCs programme has contributed to sustainable economic growth and inclusive development in the world’s least developed countries.
Strengthening commercial mediation to efficiently resolve business disputes
IDLO’s work in strengthening commercial mediation frameworks helps create faster, more cost-effective and less adversarial methods of resolving business disputes.
In 2024, we advanced targeted interventions in multiple countries, driving legal reforms, capacity development and regional cooperation aimed at improving the business environment and access to justice.
In Jordan, IDLO strengthened practitioners’ abilities to handle complex commercial disputes through the finalization of a bilingual (English-Arabic) training handbook on insolvency law. This laid the groundwork for a new e-learning course and structured in-person training programmes for legal professionals.
With IDLO’s support, Kyrgyzstan submitted a draft Law on Mediation to its parliament, thereby expanding the legal framework, introducing mandatory mediation for certain cases, and granting legal enforceability to mediated agreements. IDLO further supported the country’s accession to the Singapore Convention on Mediation, and the signing of a regional MoU between Kyrgyzstan’s Central Asia Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution and Uzbekistan’s Tashkent Mediation Center, promoting cross-border collaboration.
In Mongolia, IDLO finalized draft revisions to the country’s law on commercial mediation, which are now under review by a Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs-led Working Group
and subject to public consultation. To complement legal reform efforts, we organized a study visit to Italy, enabling Mongolian stakeholders to learn from international best practices in commercial mediation.
IDLO concluded a programme in Montenegro, aimed at strengthening the capacities of the country’s ADR centre and mediators. Through extensive training for judges and mediators and a public awareness campaign, the initiative significantly increased referrals to mediation and established a strong foundation for the future development of online mediation in the region.
In Tajikistan, IDLO assisted the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights in drafting a commercial mediation law. This process was reinforced by a study visit to Italy and a national conference on commercial mediation held in March, which helped build momentum and stakeholder engagement on proposed reforms.
IDLO assisted the government in Uzbekistan in the development of a draft law on mediation, which was submitted to the parliament in December 2024. It introduced key reforms such as legally binding enforcement of mediated agreements and mandatory initial mediation sessions for certain cases. We also conducted a training of trainers on commercial mediation, followed by a training on investor-state dispute resolution for 30 officials, judges and legal professionals.
Climate and sustainable use of natural resources
Effective legal frameworks can play an important role in the ability of governments and people to respond to climate change by addressing environmental challenges, ensuring access to justice for affected communities and reducing conflicts and displacement resulting from extreme weather events and the competition over natural resources.
IDLO works to strengthen laws and policies related to the management of food, land and natural resources and to build the capacity of institutions and communities to resolve environmental disputes, promote a clean and healthy environment and strengthen food security.
ASEAN judiciaries supported to strengthen adjudication of environmental cases
land-related matters handled by Abunzi in Rwanda
Building capacities for the resolution of land disputes in Rwanda
IDLO continued to support improved access to effective alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms in Rwanda, delivering 23 training sessions in the districts of Bugesera and Nyamagabe in 2024 as part of its ‘LAND-at-scale: Land Conflict Resolution Project.’
The sessions developed the knowledge and skills of 575 community mediators, known as Abunzi, in resolving land disputes through ADR, with a special focus on the rights of women and groups in vulnerable situations.
The project equipped Abunzi with enhanced knowledge of Rwanda’s national legal framework on land rights and land dispute resolution.
“[We] were in urgent need of training to meet the requirements of our duties as Abunzi,” Marcelline Ahishakiye, an adjudicator from Rwanda’s Rilima Sector explained. “The training was very important because it addressed many of the challenges we face in our daily routine work.”
Using both theoretical and practical methodologies, the project equipped Abunzi with enhanced knowledge of Rwanda’s national legal framework on land rights and land dispute resolution.
It also offered practical skills in mediating and adjudicating such disputes fairly.
These skills are vital in a country where floods, droughts and landslides are frequent and can spur conflicts over the use and ownership of increasingly precious arable land and natural resources.
“During training sessions we have learned the laws, especially law related to family and law determining Abunzi competence,” said Jotham Tuyizere an Abunzi from Juru Sector in the district of Bugesera. “Now we are proud to take decisions on cases received because our capacity and skills to solve the disputes were increased during the training.”
The trainings were designed to address common challenges facing Abunzi including the lack of timely resolution of disputes and the need to ensure justice for women farmers and landowners.
The project also reached out directly to local communities through a 60-day radio campaign, which since November, has reached more than 200,000 people
in Gasabo district with information on resolving land disputes, particularly those related to land boundaries and managing systematic land registrations.
The campaign also let citizens know how to submit claims and appeals, including through an updated Data Management System developed by IDLO in partnership with Rwanda’s National Land Authority, which enables people to file claims electronically.
The trainings were designed to address common challenges ... including the lack of timely resolution of disputes and the need to ensure justice for women farmers and landowners.
Strengthening the adjudication of environmental disputes in the ASEAN region
In recent years there has been a widespread increase in climate and environmental cases coming before the courts. The judges hearing these arguments play a crucial role in interpreting and applying environmental law and upholding the rights and interests of those affected.
In 2024, IDLO continued its collaboration with the Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia as the Co-Chair of the Working group of the Council of ASEAN Chief Justices, to strengthen the capacities of the judiciaries in ASEAN member countries to ensure fair and effective enforcement of environmental laws.
This expertise is vital in Southeast Asia, an area highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as floods, typhoons and sea level rise.
In February 2024, IDLO held a workshop in Jakarta, to provide a platform for judges from across the ASEAN region who specialize in environmental law and climate adjudication.
Representatives from judiciaries in diverse districts of Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand came together to discuss common areas of interest for capacity building efforts.
Justice Nani Indrawati, in remarks delivered during the
workshop on behalf of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Indonesia, hailed the event as “a significant milestone in our collective pursuit of justice and environmental stewardship … in the face of the escalating challenges posed by climate change in the ASEAN region.”
The recommendations from the workshop will inform the development of a specialized e-learning training module on environmental litigation tailored for judges in the ASEAN region, ensuring a sustainable transmission of expertise in this area.
“[the event was] a significant milestone in our collective pursuit of justice and environmental stewardship … in the face of the escalating challenges posed by climate change in the ASEAN region.”
Advocating for rule of law solutions for environmental governance
In 2024, IDLO engaged in policy advocacy on the rule of law’s essential role in environmental governance and food security at various global forums, including:
The 29th UN Climate Change Conference in Azerbaijan, during the high-level plenary discussion and several co-organized and partner side events.
The 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States in Antigua and Barbuda, during the general debate, interactive dialogues and side events, and in the establishment of partnerships leading to additional events in The Hague, at International Law Week, and at the High-Level Political Forum.
The World Bank Land Conference in Washington, DC, including events with the African Development Bank, International Land Coalition, the Stand for Her Land Campaign, Landesa, TMG Land Governance and Land Equity.
The FAO Council, the 52nd Plenary Session of the Committee on World Food Security, and G7 Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture side event ‘Responsible Production and Consumption of Food from Farm to Fork: Tech, Policy, Behaviour, Education,’ in Italy.
The Africa Food Systems Forum side event, ‘Nourishing Nations: Transforming Africa’s Food Systems through a Planetary and Population Health Lens,’ in Rwanda.
Launching a new project to address legal barriers for farmers in Tunisia
In July 2024, IDLO held an official launch event for its new project, Access to Land and Credit in Tunisia, and commenced strategic meetings and programme assessments as part of its start-up phase.
The project, which runs through 2027, is working to identify legal barriers that limit farmers — particularly women and youth — from fully engaging in food supply chains and markets to improve their livelihoods and food security.
It is focused on improving access to land, production factors and proof of ownership for land holders and food producers in Tunisia, and improving their business climate and credit opportunities.
A fuller objective is to catalyse job creation in the agribusiness sector by enabling more inclusive and productive agricultural value chains.
Healthy lives and well-being for all
Sound legal and policy frameworks are essential for public health.
IDLO works at the intersection of health and the rule of law to improve public health outcomes and create equal opportunities for all to live healthy lives. We partner with governments, international organizations, civil society organizations and academia to develop, adopt and implement legal frameworks promoting healthy diets and physical activity to address the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
We also help to strengthen legal preparedness to address health emergencies, as well as the critical link between rule of law mechanisms and health outcomes.
26 legal reforms to
and
Working with civil society organizations on legal frameworks to promote healthy diets and physical activity
Forty-one million people die from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cancer, diabetes and heart disease every year — accounting for 74 per cent of all deaths worldwide. Two and a half billion adults and 390 million children are classified as overweight or obese, with a high cost to society, taxpayers and governments.
The Global Regulatory and Fiscal Capacity Building Programme (Global RECAP) — a joint initiative led by IDLO, the World Health Organization and Canada’s International Development Research Centre — supports States’ efforts to
IDLO provides technical and financial support to assist local civil society organizations in undertaking social mobilization, community education and advocacy.
combat NCDs with laws, policies and fiscal measures that generate healthier food environments and settings in which people can be more active.
IDLO provides technical and financial support to assist local CSOs in undertaking social mobilization, community education and advocacy, enabling them to actively participate in government efforts to develop, adopt and implement legal frameworks promoting healthy diets and physical activity.
From the finalization of a Nutrient Profile Model to assess the nutritional content of foods in Kenya to creating
national physical activity action plans in Tanzania and developing and finalizing physical activity guidelines in Bangladesh and Uganda, respectively, RECAP support in 2024 helped advance laws and policies with the scope of positively impacting millions of people.
This year, across participating RECAP countries, IDLO assisted in the adoption of three laws and policies, with 17 currently in draft form. We supported 60 advocacy and social mobilization activities, reaching over 4,000 people, and helped develop and implement advocacy and community education projects and working groups with implementing partners.
“Global RECAP gave us the knowledge, helped us to extend our network, share our knowledge with the communities, generate evidence for the policy making and also give the support to sensitized policymakers and decision-makers,” said Syed Mahbubul Alam Tahin, Honorary Secretary of the Center
for Law and Policy Affairs, a RECAP implementing partner in Bangladesh, and the 2024 recipient of the UN Interagency Task Force Award on the Prevention and Control of NCDs.
IDLO also assisted in the integration of NCD prevention into academic curricula, teaching and research through multidisciplinary collaboration between nine schools of law and public health, instilling in the next generation the expertise to solve these complex health challenges.
Global RECAP recently expanded its coverage to Ghana, Indonesia, Mauritius, Nepal and Thailand, where IDLO worked with CSOs in supporting ongoing government-led policy initiatives in the areas of nutrition labelling, marketing restrictions and product reformulation. These actions play a key role in reducing potentially harmful ingredients in foods and limiting how they are marketed to children.
“In Ghana, the Global RECAP Programme has been a catalytic force,”
said Amos Laar, Professor of Public Health Nutrition at the University of Ghana. “It is already fortifying coalitions, empowering policymakers and igniting movement towards a healthier food environment.”
These close partnerships with civil society are key to driving policy change for healthier people, communities and societies.
“It is already fortifying coalitions, empowering policymakers and igniting movement towards a healthier food environment.”
Health law policy advocacy
In 2024, IDLO participated in several key health-related bodies in Geneva.
The World Health Assembly, including its Working Group on Amendments to the International Health Regulations and Intergovernmental Negotiating Body sessions.
The Legal Preparedness Action Package of the Global Health Security Agenda, and its Capacity Building sub-working group.
The WHO Global Sustainable Preparedness Support Network
The UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board.
Partnerships
Collaborative partnerships enable IDLO to leverage diverse expertise, resources and networks to address complex rule of law challenges more effectively.
By working with governments, international organizations, civil society, academia and the private sector, IDLO fosters shared ownership of justice initiatives and ensures that its programmes are tailored to local contexts.
Partnerships also enhance advocacy efforts, enabling IDLO to amplify its voice on global platforms and integrate rule of law principles into broader development agendas.
2024 partnership highlights
In addition to the initiatives outlined earlier in this report, the following is a non-exhaustive selection of collaborations with a diverse range of partners, showcasing key highlights.
IDLO welcomed Cyprus as our 39th Member Party in December. Member Parties also approved by consensus expressions of interest in membership from Uruguay and The Bahamas, pending their domestic accession procedures.
We increased engagement with the G7, including under the Italian presidency, through participation in working groups on gender equality and anticorruption, and the Anticorruption Taskforce for Ukraine (ACT) at the invitation of Japan.
At the Italy-Africa Summit, IDLO’s Director-General highlighted our capacity development efforts and growing partnerships across Africa, and the ways in which the rule of law could contribute to the realization of the Mattei Plan.
In Sweden, IDLO’s Director-General held a roundtable with the Expert Group for Aid Studies, featuring experts from the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, Folke Bernadotte Academy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), and met with representatives of government on efforts to deliver justice in the most fragile contexts.
Through bilateral engagement and cooperation with the United Nations System, we ensured that IDLO’s unique work supported and did not duplicate others’ efforts. We also strengthened engagement with Rome-based agencies including the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the World Food Programme and Food and Agriculture Organization, with whom we renewed a partnership agreement to further our ongoing work at the intersection of the rule of law and food and nutrition.
IDLO advocated for greater political and financial support for the rule of law in key forums including the UN General
Assembly High-Level Week, the Summit of the Future and the International Law Week in the Sixth Committee in New York; the 33rd Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Vienna; the Human Rights Council, World Health Assembly, UNHCR Executive Committee and UNAIDS in Geneva; and the OECD Global Roundtable on Access to Justice in Ottawa.
IDLO secured Permanent Observer status at the Inter-Parliamentary Union and attended its 149th Assembly in Geneva and the 10th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians in Yerevan, strengthening collaboration with parliamentarians and youth leaders worldwide.
IDLO reaffirmed the strong link among peace, justice, the rule of law and sustainable development, at our flagship policy advocacy event, the SDG16 Conference (see highlight on page 43).
In July, IDLO’s Director-General moderated the official High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) review of SDG 16. IDLO also organized a side event
on ‘Game-changing Rule of Law Solutions,’ which featured insights from partners on the tangible dividends of investing in the rule of law in their respective countries.
IDLO partnered with the World Bank as a co-host of the Bank’s inaugural Global Forum on Justice and Rule of Law in Washington, DC.
IDLO signed 10 new MoUs in 2024 with governments/public institutions including in Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Somalia and The Gambia.
IDLO also strengthened engagement with academic and research institutions including BRAC University (Bangladesh), European International Studies Association (Italy), the European University Institute (Italy),
Galvanizing progress on Sustainable Development Goal 16
In May 2024, IDLO co-convened the fifth annual SDG 16 Conference together with Italy and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
Each year, the conference explores strategies for accelerating progress towards the achievement of SDG 16 on peace, justice and inclusive, effective and accountable institutions.
Held for the first time at UN Headquarters in New York, the 2024 edition drew more than 300 in-person participants from governments, international organizations, civil society, academia and youth groups, with more tuning into the livestream on UN Web TV.
Georgetown University’s O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law (USA), Johns Hopkins University-SAIS Europe (Italy), Loyola University (USA), Makerere University (Uganda), Moi University (Kenya), the University of Ghana, the University of Indonesia, the University of Mauritius, Roma Tre University (Italy), and Wageningen University and Research (the Netherlands).
The conference was opened by H.E. Sergio Mattarella, President of the Republic of Italy, and the Deputy SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations, Amina J. Mohammed, together with the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Li Junhua, and IDLO’s Director-General, Jan Beagle.
In his opening remarks, President Sergio Mattarella emphasized the need “to make institutions, at every level, more inclusive and more representative: ultimately strengthening the ‘social contract’ between peoples and institutions.”
Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed underlined how “the rule of law is the common thread in the fabric of the Charter of the United Nations and what binds together its three pillars of peace and security, human rights and development. Without this common thread, SDG 16’s vision of a sustainable, secure, inclusive and peaceful future is impossible.”
“SDG 16 is a critical enabler of all 17 Sustainable Development Goals and is at the heart of what makes the 2030 Agenda transformative,” said Director-General Jan
Beagle. “At its core lie rule of law, human rights and good governance — fundamental principles that underpin peace and sustainable development.”
Noting the lack of progress on SDG 16, Li Junhua, UN UnderSecretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs emphasized that “urgent action is needed to change course.”
Interactive panel sessions focused on several themes, including promoting peaceful societies for sustainable development; promoting the rule of law, equal access to justice and the fight against corruption and organized crime; developing effective, accountable and transparent institutions; and building more inclusive societies for all.
A key part of the conference was a dedicated civil society track, resulting in the updated 2024 Rome Civil Society Declaration on SDG16+, which emphasized, among other things, the need for expanding civic space and strengthening data, monitoring and accountability for SDG 16.
The key messages from the conference were subsequently shared by UN Secretary-General António Guterres with all UN Member States as a joint General Assembly and ECOSOC Document. Director-General Jan Beagle was invited by the President of ECOSOC to moderate the 2025 Review session, ‘SDG 16 and its Interlinkages with Other SDGs — Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions’ at the High-Level Political Forum.
Management
Robust, efficient and resilient systems are essential to deliver on IDLO’s strategic objectives. In 2024, we continued to prioritize progress under IDLO’s four Organizational Enablers – Enhancing innovation, integration and impact; Investing in people; Improving systems and processes; and Implementing a strategic approach to partnerships – through cross-cutting principles of innovation, integration and inclusion.
The organization continued to explore strategies for strengthening its resource base; working to diversify funding to respond flexibly to opportunities, invest in innovation, quality and organizational capacities, and build a sustainable foundation for continued growth.
Organizational Enablers in 2024
INNOVATION, INTEGRATION AND IMPACT
Deepened the transition from projectbased implementation to a more integrated, programmatic approach through the development of pilot country strategies for Burkina Faso, Somalia, Tunisia and Uganda.
Analysed the 2024 results from the Strategic Results and Resources Framework (SRRF), and began development of a new results framework for the Strategic Plan 2025-2028.
IMPROVING SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES
Boosted efficiency, accuracy and compliance through systems improvements, including the integration of our Human Resource Management System with the Payroll System, the enhancement of our Finance and Procurement systems
INVESTING IN PEOPLE
Introduced a new Policy on the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, and an updated Policy on the Prohibition of Sexual Harassment to reinforce our commitment to a respectful workplace and reflect the organization’s core values of integrity and professionalism.
Continued the organizational change management process to strengthen staff engagement and teamwork.
and the upgrading of our global Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems.
Enhanced security measures through the launch of a Business Travel Security and Assistance Programme, and
trained Security Focal Persons in five additional countries — Jordan, Moldova, the Philippines, Tunisia and Uganda.
Secured the recognition of IDLO’s legal status in the Bahamas, Kenya and Ukraine.
Revenue and expenditure
Over the past strategic cycle, total revenue increased from €38.7 million in 2020 to €48.3* million in 2024. The proportion of unrestricted revenue increased from 18% to 22%, enabling IDLO to invest in innovation and in people and systems. Looking ahead, IDLO will continue strengthening the case for investment in justice and the rule of law, while diversifying its resource base to promote long-term financial sustainability.
PROGRAMME REVENUE BY REGION
Total for all regions and global programmes €37.7 million
• United States of America
• Netherlands
• Sweden Italy
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• Denmark
• European Union
• China
• Philippines
• France
• Germany
• European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Netherlands Institute of International Relations “Clingendael”
• Open Society Initiative for West Africa / Open Society-Africa (Senegal)
• Cowater International Inc. (SPARC – KNOWLEDGE)
EXPENDITURE BY STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE
Governance
MEMBER PARTIES
AFGHANISTAN | AUSTRALIA | AUSTRIA | BULGARIA | BURKINA FASO | CHINA | CYPRUS
ECUADOR | EGYPT | EL SALVADOR | FRANCE | HONDURAS | ITALY | JORDAN | KENYA
KUWAIT | LIBERIA | MALI | MAURITANIA | MONGOLIA | MONTENEGRO | MOZAMBIQUE
NETHERLANDS | NIGER | OPEC FUND FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT | PAKISTAN
PARAGUAY | PERU | PHILIPPINES | QATAR | ROMANIA | SENEGAL | SUDAN
SWEDEN | TUNISIA | TÜRKIYE | UGANDA | UNITED STATES | VIET NAM
STANDING COMMITTEE
As of November 2024
United States (President)
Mongolia (Vice-President)
Italy (Vice-President ex officio)
Egypt
Honduras
Kuwait
Philippines
AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
As of November 2024
Kuwait (Chair)
China
Italy
Kenya
Türkiye
United States
BOARD OF ADVISERS
Mehmet Hasan Göğüş (Chair)
Diego García-Sayán
Carlo Alberto Giusti
Hoang Ly Anh
Ahmer Bilal Soofi
Zhou Xiaoyan
Governing bodies
IDLO was established as an intergovernmental organization in 1988 by treaty – the Agreement for the Establishment of the International Development Law Organization. IDLO is governed by the Assembly of Parties, composed of representatives of Member Parties, which determines the organization’s policies, elects the Director-General and guides her work. The Assembly
of Parties convenes annually in Rome. Member Parties elect a President and a Vice-President for a three-year term. As host country of IDLO headquarters, in Rome, Italy is Vice-President ex officio. The Assembly also elects a Standing Committee and an Audit and Finance Committee from among the Member Parties. The Standing Committee reports to the Assembly of Parties and provides
appropriate oversight of the organization on behalf of the Member Parties between sessions of the Assembly. The Audit and Finance Committee assists the Assembly of Parties, through the Standing Committee, in its financial oversight responsibilities, particularly with respect to audit and compliance, and maintaining the effective and efficient financial performance of IDLO.
Assembly of Parties 2024
In November 2024, the annual meeting of the Assembly of Parties took place at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. At the meeting, IDLO’s Director-General presented a report of the organization’s activities during the year and the organization’s new Strategic Plan 2025-2028, which was unanimously adopted by the Member Parties. Member Parties also approved the Management Plan 20252026 and the operating budget for 2025.
During the General Debate, Member Parties delivered statements, commending the organization for its achievements during the 2021-2024
strategic cycle, including ongoing efforts to support justice seekers in challenging environments.
Honduras was elected and Egypt was re-elected to serve as ad hoc members of the Standing Committee for a two-year term, expiring at the 2026 annual meeting of the Assembly of Parties. China, Kenya and the United States were elected to continue serving as members of the Audit and Finance Committee for a two-year term, expiring at the 2026 annual meeting of the Assembly of Parties.
Ambassador Mehmet Hasan Göğüş and Dr. Hoang Ly Anh were re-elected
for a second four-year term on the IDLO Board of Advisors. Prof. Carlo Alberto Giusti was elected to serve on the Board for an initial four-year term.
Alongside the Assembly of Parties, IDLO also held its annual Partnership Forum, under the theme ‘Rule of Law Solutions for a Peaceful, Just, and Inclusive Future: IDLO’s Strategic Plan 2025-2028,’ which brought together IDLO Member Parties, senior government officials, representatives of multilateral organizations, civil society, youth, academia and the judiciary to stimulate dialogue on critical rule of law issues, share experience and facilitate partnerships.
