Beyond Rhetoric: Informal SDG 16+ Roundtable Dialogue at the 2024 HLPF

Hosted by Accountability Lab, Alliance for Peacebuilding (AfP), the Civil Society Platform for Peacebuilding and Statebuilding (CSPPS), the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), the Transparency, Accountability & Participation (TAP) Network, the Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) & the UN Foundation and WFUNA

With SDG16 under review for the third time at the 2024 HLPF, this roundtable dialogue will convene a diverse set of SDG16+ partners in New York to take stock of where current challenges and gaps remain for SDG16+, with an aim to identify and explore key areas for collective action, mobilization and financing. Building upon discussions in the margins of the 2024 SDG16 Conference and the 2024 Fragility Forum, this informal discussion will also provide a platform for exploring opportunities for collaboration and partnership, particularly looking forward towards the 2024 Summit of the Future and other key moments ahead. This Roundtable Dialogue is part of a series of informal conversations hosted by key SDG16+ partners throughout 2024, which aims to provide an opportunity for open dialogue, sharing, learning and for strategizing on opportunities for collective action, mobilization and financing for SDG16. This informal dialogue will be held under the Chatham House Rule to encourage an open and frank discussion among participants.

Objectives

• Convene key partners from civil society, Member States, donors and other global and multilateral institutions to explore approaches for greater coherence, action and financing for SDG16+ 
• Provide a space for sharing and learning through an open and frank dialogue among participants, with an aim to identify key touchpoints where immediate additional support may be needed around SDG16+ 
• Develop strategies for aligning with important opportunities in 2024 and 2025, including the thematic review of SDG16 at 2024 HLPF, the Summit of the Future, the 2025 Financing for Development Conference and World Social Summit and other key moments

Background

The international community finds itself at a critical crossroads; with declining progress towards many aspects of SDG16 around peaceful, just and inclusive societies, the implementation of the 2030 Agenda is at stake. With SDG16 set to be reviewed for the third time at the 2024 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in July 2024, the need for the international community to identify key areas that can catalyze further action, financing and accountability for SDG16+ is more pressing than ever. However, with the upcoming Summit of the Future in September 2024, and the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development and World Social Summit to be held in 2025, opportunities abound for bringing the 2030 Agenda back on track with key reforms to the multilateral and financial architecture, and through key commitments to SDG16+ at all levels. 

“Why SDG16+?”

In today's turbulent global landscape, characterized by escalating violent conflicts, erosion of democratic norms, backsliding on the rule of law and growing inequalities, SDG16+ can serve as a critical linchpin for fostering stability, justice, and inclusivity, and a prerequisite for achieving the 2030 Agenda overall. With political polarization fueling social unrest and undermining trust in institutions, action towards SDG16+ can help in addressing the root causes of instability, such as barriers to access to justice, corruption, inequality and exclusion, and lack of accountable institutions. For these reasons, SDG16+ can serve as a catalyst for confronting the most urgent crises of today, strengthening resilience to respond to emerging challenges in the future, and fostering a more peaceful and prosperous future for all. Additionally, given that peaceful, just and inclusive societies are both outcomes and enablers of sustainable development, action and financing towards SDG16+ can yield multifaceted dividends, and are indispensable for implementing the 2030 Agenda overall.

*Registration for this event is limited to partners and Member States working on SDG16+. For further registration information, please contact Ms. Amanda Sourek (a.sourek@idea.int).