Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions

We cannot hope for sustainable development without peace, stability, human rights and effective governance, based on the rule of law. Yet our world is increasingly divided. Some regions enjoy peace, security and prosperity, while others fall into seemingly endless cycles of conflict and violence. This is not inevitable and must be addressed.

Armed violence and insecurity have a destructive impact on a country’s development, affecting economic growth, and often resulting in grievances that last for generations. Sexual violence, crime, exploitation and torture are also prevalent where there is conflict, or no rule of law, and countries must take measures to protect those who are most at risk

The SDGs aim to significantly reduce all forms of violence, and work with governments and communities to end conflict and insecurity. Promoting the rule of law and human rights are key to this process, as is reducing the flow of illicit arms and strengthening the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance.

Facts and figures

68.5 million

By the end of 2017, 68.5 million people had been forcibly displaced as a result of persecution, conflict, violence or human rights violations.

10 million

There are at least 10 million stateless people who have been denied nationality and its related rights.

US$1.26 trillion

Corruption, bribery, theft and tax evasion cost developing countries US$1.26 trillion per year.

49

49 countries lack laws protecting women from domestic violence.

46

In 46 countries, women now hold more than 30 percent of seats in at least one chamber of national parliament.

1 billion

1 billion people are legally ‘invisible’ because they cannot prove who they are. This includes an estimated 625 million children under 14 whose births were never registered.

Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children
Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime
Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms
Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels
Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels
Broaden and strengthen the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance
By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration
Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements
Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime
Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development

Goals in action

Caught in the crossfire, Armenia’s border communities reinvent themselves

Rows of empty seats in classrooms. Windows half-covered with bricks. An unstable security situation and suffering economy has challenged this village…

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Hope restored – a good start for a new Armenia

Nare Ghalamkaryan, 18, studies communications at the American University of Armenia. In spring of 2018, she took part in the “velvet revolution.”…

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Relief for women on both sides of the law

Filing for alimony in Uzbekistan often meant long and costly trips to courts, months of waiting and emotional strain. Now, a new digital court system…

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