UNGA80: Sixth Committee
Item 84: The Rule of Law at the National and International Levels
Wednesday, 8 October 2025
Focus: “Rule of law at the national and international levels at the 80th anniversary of the United Nations”
Chair,
Sri Lanka welcomes the report of the Secretary General submitted pursuant to GA resolution 79/126.
As the member states celebrate 80 years since the establishment of this institution, we find ourselves at a time when the international rules based order is being tested. It is now more essential than ever that our collective commitment to fairness, equality, and justice is strengthened.
The complexity of modern challenges demands cooperative approaches grounded in shared rules and mutual accountability. In such a context, adherence to agreed principles is crucial. Selective compliance or unilateral actions undermine trust and the predictability needed for effective international cooperation.
Sri Lanka reaffirms the central role of multilateral and bilateral treaties in advancing the rule of law, as these instruments remain the backbone of international cooperation. They provide States with the legal certainty and predictability necessary to address shared challenges. Beyond their legal function, treaties embody the spirit of consensus-building, mutual respect, and equality among nations. In short, they serve as a constant reminder that global challenges demand universal solutions, not unilateral action.
It is necessary to encourage the further promotion and effective implementation of legally binding instruments in areas where international cooperation can deliver tangible benefits, whether in disarmament, environmental protection, combating cybercrime, countering terrorism, sustainable use of marine resources and maritime governance.
These instruments strengthen not only the rule of law at the international level, but also help States reinforce their domestic legal and institutional frameworks.
In recent years, Sri Lanka has acceded to and ratified key international instruments, thereby reinforcing its commitment to international norms and standards. These include the ratification of the Agreement under UNCLOS on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) in September 2025. We welcome the entry into force of this Convention that strengthens the protection of fragile marine ecosystems and ensures the equitable use of shared ocean resources. In 2023, Sri Lanka ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), reaffirming its longstanding commitment to nuclear disarmament and the global prohibition of nuclear testing.
Chair,
We stress that ensuring that effective domestic implementation of international obligations is essential. At the national level, Sri Lanka has taken steps to align its legal and institutional frameworks with international obligations and strengthen confidence in the rule of law domestically.
Sri Lanka has taken measures to enhance accountability and good governance. The Anti-Corruption Act of 2023 in line with the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), strengthened the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), including powers for joint investigations with international partners, aligning national frameworks with the UN Convention Against Corruption.
The Proceeds of Crime Act of 2025, gave effect to the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime, and the United Nations Convention Against the Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. This has enabled the tracing, freezing, and seizure of assets linked to criminal activity, significantly strengthening the fight against organized crime and drug trafficking. Sri Lanka underscores that the global drug problem must be recognized as an international pandemic requiring sustained cross-border cooperation.
However, it must be noted Chair,
Unilateral actions that disregard the international rules based order undermine confidence in the rule of law at both national and international levels. It is for this reason that strengthening confidence in the rule of law remains a priority. Confidence in justice can be strengthened through concrete measures, including strengthening legal and institutional frameworks to align national laws with international standards, building capacity for effective enforcement by providing training and resources to law enforcement and judicial bodies, and promoting accountability and transparency mechanisms that monitor compliance, enable public oversight, and prevent abuses of power.
Reforms that bridge the gap between legal commitments and practical implementation are necessary to create a more equitable global governance landscape, ensuring that diverse stakeholders contribute to sustainable outcomes.
Chair,
Sri Lanka reiterates that a strong domestic rule of law agenda is essential for building confidence in international processes. In the implementation of SDG 16, Sri Lanka supports a holistic approach that integrates dignity, equality, and freedom into governance, ensuring inclusivity in national institutions and practices. We stress the importance of comprehensive legal reforms, public accountability, and inclusive processes to strengthen confidence in justice and governance systems.
While the Constitution of Sri Lanka recognises Freedom, Equality, Justice, Fundamental Human Rights and the Independence of the judiciary as the intangible heritage that guarantees the dignity and well-being of succeeding generations of the People, the Supreme Court held that the “Rule of law is the very foundation of our Constitution”. It was further held that “The entire fabric of the Constitution mandates that the Rule of Law be the ultimate framework of all acts carried out under the Constitution, including the acts of the executive, the legislature and the judiciary” and, that the “Rule of Law is not only rights and equality. It’s about functionality and efficiency for sustainable economic development of the nation and all of its People”.
Chair,
The rule of law is not a theory of state but a practical guide on how power must be exercised globally, equally and justly, without monopoly by any one group of States.
Technical assistance and capacity-building play a critical role in this process, where we welcome the cooperation of partners, including the UN. However, such support must respect national ownership, priorities, and legal traditions, strengthening domestic institutions rather than overriding them.
We reiterate our call for systems that ensure the fair and just application of laws and principles agreed upon by Member States of the United Nations, particularly the principles enshrined in the Charter.