(Originally published on 05/18/2012)

Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator, met with Mr. Li Shishi, Chairman of the Legislative Affairs Commission (LAC) of the National People’s Congress, to identify ways in which UNDP can work with China to enhance the rule of law. Miss Clark congratulated the Commission on the remarkable progress made by China in developing a comprehensive legislative framework. In particular, she acknowledged UNDP’s privileged position as a working partner of the LAC on increasing public participation in law-making processes and strengthening legal harmonisation systems under the EU-China-UNDP Governance for Equitable Development project.

Miss Clark also spoke of her experiences from 27 years in New Zealand’s legislature, which included nine consecutive years as Prime Minister. She noted the importance of public involvement in the law-making process and stressed that laws should be well informed and implemented in order to truly work for people and nation. Looking forward, Mr. Li expressed the Commission’s willingness to continue working with UNDP to build on its current successes, while Miss Clark affirmed UNDP’s commitment to collaboration with the Nation People’s Congress to develop a review process and advance participatory approaches to law making.