The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) in Rome has reelected the Philippines as an ad hoc member of its Standing Committee, according to report of the Philippine Embassy in Italy.
In a related statement, the Embassy said this re-election to an international body that advances the rule of law principle, reaffirms Manila’s “active role and sustained commitment to advancing rule of law and access to justice.”
Ambassador Neal Imperial, who also serves Philippine Permanent Representative to the IDLO Committee, reaffirmed the country’s strong support for IDLO’s mandate to promote effective justice systems and build strong, lasting institutions as foundations for sustainable development.
During the session, Amb. Imperial conveyed the Philippines’ appreciation to IDLO and its donors and partners, particularly the United States and the European Union, for the significant progress achieved in expanding access to justice, modernizing legal frameworks, and strengthening the Philippine justice sector capacity.
The Philippines also underscored the importance of enhanced burden- and responsibility-sharing to enable IDLO to continue delivering results amid ongoing funding shortfalls. It also emphasized the urgent need to strengthen the rule of law, ensure accountability, and protect human rights.
“We must be candid. Sustainable Development Goal No. 16 – peace, justice and inclusive institutions – remains far from being achieved in the foreseeable future. Conflict and geopolitical tensions persist and have even exacerbated,” Imperial said.
“To many, access to justice remains limited. Even where progress is made, vulnerable groups and marginalized communities, especially women and girls and Indigenous Peoples, continue to be left behind,” he noted.
He also reiterated the Philippines’ sustained call for “consistent adherence to a rules-based international order,” including respect for the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), its dispute settlement mechanisms, and the just and sustainable governance of oceans.
“As a maritime nation, international law, particularly in maritime spaces, is essential to our future. The rule of law is the heartbeat of Philippine democracy, enshrined in its Constitution. It guides our pursuit of justice, equality, and accountable governance,” he said, adding that “while challenges remain, we have seen how the rule of law protects our people and strengthens our institutions.”
In her report to the Assembly on the Organization’s achievements, challenges, and strategic priorities for 2025, IDLO Director-General Jan Beagle said multilateralism remains “indispensable.”
“I remain more convinced than ever that whether the goal is to reduce conflict and violent extremism; to eradicate poverty; to protect human rights; to combat corruption and illicit financial flows; to manage migration more effectively; or to foster stable environments for trade, investment, and innovation – the rule of law is a critical part of the solution,” she said.
The IDLO election took place on December 12 at the Consiglio Nazionale dell’Economia e del Lavoro (CNEL) in Rome, Italy, during the 2025 Annual Meeting of the IDLO Assembly of Parties.
The IDLO is an inter-governmental organization composed of 40 Member Parties and governed by the Assembly of Parties, the Standing Committee, and the Audit and Finance Committee. Granted Observer status at the United Nations General Assembly in 2022, IDLO promotes the rule of law to advance sustainable development.
The Philippines is an IDLO founding member. It officially became a Member Party in 1989 following its ratification of the Agreement on the Establishment of the International Development Law Institute.