Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions
Without peace, stability, human rights and effective governance, based on the rule of law - we cannot hope for sustainable development. We are living in a world that is increasingly divided. Some regions enjoy sustained levels of peace, security and prosperity, while others fall into seemingly endless cycles of conflict and violence. This is by no means inevitable and must be addressed.
High levels of armed violence and insecurity have a destructive impact on a country’s development, affecting economic growth and often resulting in long standing grievances that can 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.
Home to only 5 percent of the world’s population, the Arab region was home to almost 47 percent of the world’s internally displaced population in 2014 and 57.5 percent of the world’s refugees. Most of those were forcibly displaced because of conflict and violence, as the Arab region has witnessed almost 18 percent of the world conflicts between 1948 and 2014, 45 percent of global terrorist attacks in 2014, and 68 percent of the world’s battle-related deaths in the same year.
The value of the Human Development Index for Libya and Syria has dwindled to levels last seen 15 years ago. Other estimates suggest that Syria may have lost over 35 years of hard-won gains in human development.
The SDGs aim to significantly reduce all forms of violence, and work with governments and communities 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 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
Providing hope and support for Yemeni women as conflict drags on
Women become equal partners in addressing urgent needs in their communities.
Gathering "all of Iraq" to understand peace
Iraqi students design activities for people from various backgrounds to exchange ideas about peace.
Social innovators, leaders, and powerful forces for change
Throughout the Arab region UNDP’s rapidly-growing Youth Leadership Programme is helping young people to become positive change-makers.
Stabilizing countries in crisis
UNDP has started a new generation of large-scale stabilization programmes, aiming at rapidly re-establishing basic services.
Donors pledge US$7 billion for Syrians and neighbouring countries
Delegates to a conference co-hosted by the European Union and United Nations in Brussels has pledged some US$7 billion to reach 21.2 million people in…
Yemen: Through the looking glass
UNDP has a unique role in the ongoing response to the Yemen crisis. We tackle immediate and ongoing needs in Yemen during the crisis, while continuing…
Seven reasons why rule of law matters for peace
UNDP has been working to build peace in over 40 crisis-affected countries through our Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law and Human…
