Review of SDG implementation and interrelations among goals: Discussion on SDG 16 – Peace, justice and strong institutions

Official Event Description:

SDG 16 aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. The 2030 Agenda recognizes the need to build peaceful, just and inclusive societies that provide equal access to justice and that are based on respect for human rights, on effective rule of law and good governance at all levels and on transparent, effective and accountable institutions. SDG 16 is identified as a Goal that is both an outcome and enabler of sustainable development. It is closely interlinked with other SDGs. Without peace, justice and inclusion, achieving goals such as ending poverty, ensuring education promote economic growth can be difficult or impossible. At the same time, various SDGs can help or hinder the achievement of SDG 16, for instance climate change can act as a threat multiplier, aggravating additional social, environmental and political stressors, conditions that could possibly lead to violence.

Advances in ending violence, promoting the rule of law, strengthening institutions and increasing access to justice is uneven. This continues to deprive millions of people throughout the world of security, rights and opportunities. Attacks on civil society are also holding back development progress. Renewed efforts are therefore necessary to make the realization of SDG 16 a reality. Failure to invest in SDG 16 will result in worsening violence, injustice and exclusion which will reverse development against across all SDGs.

The SDG 16 session may want to consider the comprehensive list of recommendations for action resulted from the preparatory expert process. The recommendations on enhancing peace, dialogue and reconciliation; preventing and ending all forms of violence; safeguarding children; promoting the rule of law; ensuring equal access to justice for all, promoting human rights; addressing discriminatory laws; building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions - are contained in the background note. 

For more information, check out the below resources or the UN event page.