Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya conveyed appreciation for the programs being undertaken by the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) in the Philippines during a call on Director Ted Hill, Director of Program Development and Officer in Charge of the IDLO Hague office.
Philippine agencies have been a beneficiary of IDLO programs, notably the Department of Justice, the Office of the Ombudsman, Anti-Money Laundering Council and the Philippine Judicial Academy, on capacity-building exercises such as making gender-responsive legislation and enhancing the institutional capacity of prosecutors, including in the investigation and prosecution of international humanitarian law and environmental cases.
Ambassador Malaya commended the IDLO for “its thrusts of promoting both the rule of law and sustainable development, thus making law serve people in a wholistic way.” He underscored the significant contributions of the IDLO’s programs to the country’s development initiatives, and assured Director Hill of the embassy’s support and assistance. The Ambassador also presented him the book Philippine Treaties in Force 2020.
IDLO is the only global intergovernmental organization exclusively devoted to promoting the rule of law to advance peace and sustainable development in over 90 countries around the world with various legal systems. IDLO was preceded by the International Development Law Institute (IDLI) which was established in 1983 as a Dutch non-governmental organization to provide training and technical assistance to lawyers and other legal professionals from developing countries. The Philippines became a member party to the IDLI in 1989. IDLO has its headquarters in Rome, Italy.
During the visit, Director Hill presented IDLO’s strategic framework and its six core objectives, namely empowerment of justice seekers to claim their rights; making laws and institutions work for people; reduction of the justice gap for women and girls; exercise of rule of law in inclusive economic development; promotion of climate justice and sustainable use of land and natural resources; and advancement of healthy lives and well-being for all.
Filipino lawyer Rea Abada Chiongson, IDLO Senior Legal Advisor on Gender, also briefed the Embassy officials of her work in the advancement of elimination of discriminatory laws and practices, combatting gender-based violence and promotion of women’s participation and leadership in the justice sector. Similarly, Mr. Arthur van Buitenen, Policy Advocacy and Engagement Advisor, shared the IDLO’s initiatives in climate justice and its active engagement with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26).
Joining Ambassador Malaya during the visit were Consuls Jarie Osias and Marianne Bringas.
