GOAL OF THE MONTH – Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

GOAL OF THE MONTH – Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions?

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Where We Are

Peace, justice and strong Institutions are essential to sustainable development. However, ongoing and new violent conflicts around the world are derailing the global path to peace and cause human suffering and hinder progress on Goal 16. In May 2024, the number of forcibly displaced people reached 120 million, an all-time high. In addition, civilian casualties in armed conflicts increased by 72 per cent in 2023.? Urgent action is needed to combat corruption and organized crime, strengthen the rule of law and access to justice.? Governments, civil society and communities need to work together to find lasting solutions to conflict and insecurity. Strengthening the rule of law and promoting human rights is key to this process, as is reducing the flow of illicit arms, combating corruption, and ensuring inclusive participation at all times.?

The Pact for the Future reaffirms the global commitment to peace, justice and strong institutions as strong pillars of the SDGs. Recognising the need to reform international governance structures, it proposes strengthening the UN system, ensuring human rights for all and accelerating reforms in the Security Council to increase representativeness and transparency. The pact encompasses the importance of promoting accountable institutions while expanding access to justice to ensure fundamental freedoms.

SDG 16 in Numbers

In 2023, the global economic impact of violence was nearly $20 trillion.?
About 19 per cent of people reported being asked to pay or having paid a bribe to a public official in the last 12 months, based on 138 countries with available data from 2015 to 2022. 1 in 6 children lived in conflict zones in 2020.?
In 2023, 320 human rights defenders, journalists and trade unionists in 40 countries were killed, down from 448 cases in 36 countries in 2022.

“Wars destroy. Peace builds. In today’s troubled world, building peace is a conscious, bold and even radical act. It is humanity’s greatest responsibility.” ?

– António Guterres, UN Secretary-General?(7 July?2024)

In Focus

6 April | International Day of Sport for Development & Peace?

The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP), highlights the transformative power of sport in fostering positive change, enhancing social cohesion, and advancing the SDGs. It serves as a reminder of how sport can unite communities and promote values that contribute to societal development. IDSDP 2025 will focus on the theme of ‘Leveling the Playing Field: Sport for Social Inclusion.’ This theme aligns closely with the three pillars of 狈辞惫别尘产别谤’蝉?? Second World Social Summit for Social Development:? poverty eradication, full and productive employment and decent work for all, and social inclusion. Additional details can be found here.??

24 April – International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace???

The importance of using diplomacy to broker peace drove the creation of the UN in 1945. The Organization continues to evolve in its central role in diplomacy for peace, deploying multiple tools to negotiate, mediate and foster cooperation, including the UN Secretary-General’s Good Offices, among and within countries. Established in 2018, the international day aims to reinvigorate the international community’s resolve to settle disputes through peaceful means. Visit the dedicated website to learn more.

Key Events

15-17 April | ?

The ECOSOC Youth Forum will take place at UN Headquarters in New York, bringing together young leaders to discuss innovative solutions to global challenges. Under the theme of ‘Accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda with youth at the centre’, the Forum provides an essential space for young people to contribute to the SDGs and influence policies that will shape the future. Registration and programming details, can be found .???

21 April – 2 May | ?

The twenty-fourth session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues will take place from 21 April to 2 May 2025 at the UN Headquarters in New York. This year’s theme is “Implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples within UN Member States and the UN System, including identifying good practices and addressing challenges”.? Aligned with the International Decade on Indigenous Languages, the Indigenous Media Zone encourages the participation of Indigenous media practitioners in a variety of Indigenous languages from different regions. The date will be celebrated online with the hashtag #WeAreIndigenous. More information is available ?

?13 April – 13 October | ?

The World Expo 2025 will be held in Osaka, Japan. For the next six months, the Expo will bring together nations, organisations and companies to explore innovative solutions for a more resilient and inclusive world. Under the theme ‘Designing the Future of Life – Future of Life for People, Society and Planet’, the expo will address key issues such as technology, health and the environment, encouraging international co-operation to tackle global challenges and build a more prosperous and equitable future.?

14 to 17 April | The Permanent Forum of People of African Descent Forum?

The Permanent Forum of People of African Descent will meet for its fourth session at the UN Headquarters in New York. The theme is “Africa and people of African descent: United for reparatory justice in the age of Artificial Intelligence.” More information on the event can be found .??

International Days and Years

4 April | International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action

Landmines continue to devastate lives and livelihoods. In 2023, nearly 6,000 people were killed or injured globally, with civilians accounting for over 80 per cent of casualties and children making up more than a third of civilian victims. Over 60 countries and territories remain contaminated by landmines, including some where these weapons are still being deployed. The UN will advocate for a global ban on these indiscriminate weapons and invest in clearing efforts, paving the way for sustainable development and lasting peace. Visit the international day and UN Mine Action Service’s websites for more information.

7 April |

Each year, the World Health Day emphasises a specific theme to raise awareness and drive action in favour of fairer and more accessible health systems for all. This year’s theme, “Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures”, will kick off a year-long campaign on maternal and newborn health. The campaign will urge governments and the health community to ramp up efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths, and to prioritize women’s longer-term health and well-being. More details can be found .?

7 April | International Day of Reflection on the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda?

This solemn day invites the global community to remember and honour the victims of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, one of the darkest chapters in recent history. In addition to remembrance, the date reinforces the commitment to preventing genocide, combating hate speech and promoting reconciliation to ensure that tragedies like this never happen again. The thirty-first commemoration will be held on Monday, 7 April at 10AM ET in the UN Headquarters General Assembly Hall in New York. Further information is available here.??

22 April | International Mother Earth Day

This International Day reinforces the urgent need to protect ecosystems and combat climate change. International Mother Earth Day reminds us of our collective responsibility to widely adopt the Sustainable Development Goals, preserve biodiversity and ensure a livable future for our common future. Additional information will be available here.?

25 April |

Malaria remains one of the world’s biggest public health challenges, affecting millions of people every year. World Malaria Day highlights advances in the fight against the disease, the importance of prevention and efforts to eliminate malaria once and for all. With innovation and adequate resources, a world free of this threat is possible. More details can be found .??

ACTNOW for our Common Future?

ActNow is the United Nations campaign to inspire people to act for the Sustainable Development Goals. The Goals can improve life for all of us. Safer cities. Equality. A Just Society. A peaceful world. These issues matter to everyone. But progress is too slow. We have to act, urgently, to accelerate changes that add up to better lives on a healthier planet. Join the campaign to learn — and do — more for #OurCommonFuture. Visit ActNow: /actnow?

National Climate Action Plans?

As the climate crisis intensifies, the stakes could not be higher. This year, every country is required to submit an updated national climate action plan – called Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement. To preserve a livable plant, these plans must align with limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The UN has come together to drive communication and advocacy efforts on the NDCs. Learn more about the NDCs here: /en/climatechange/all-about-ndcs??

Awake at Night Podcast

As?United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk has devoted his life and career to helping the world’s most vulnerable people. In this episode, Volker Türk reflects on holding rulebreakers to account, the strength displayed by refugees, and why the best ideas often arrive in the dead of night.?