The United Nations work to promote the rule of law extends to more than 150 c...

The United Nations work to promote the rule of law extends to more than 150 countries. Our efforts to combat transnational crime, build confidence and capacity in State institutions, and battle discrimination against women are all part of this effort. [...] Our goal is to quickly demonstrate the value of the rule of law. That builds public confidence in political settlements. Our approach has three basic components: first, promote accountability and reinforce norms through transitional justice; secondly, build justice and security institutions to promote trust; and thirdly, focus on justice for women and girls to foster gender equality. The Security Council has helped bring these priorities to the top of the international agenda, but the Council can do more. I encourage the Council to include the promotion of transitional justice measures more broadly in the mandates of peacekeeping and political missions. [...] The primary obligation for accountability rests with domestic justice systems. It will require the development of security institutions that are accountable to laws and to the people. It will take more funding for women's access to justice, and it will demand greater attention to the economic and social roots of gender inequality.