Informal SDG16+ Roundtable Dialogue at the 69th Commission on the Status of Women

Building on the series of roundtables hosted by members of the SDG16+ Coalition, this iteration will serve as an informal strategy discussion among partners across peace, justice, and gender equality sectors to explore opportunities to strengthen the interlinkages between the two goals, particularly in the context of the 30th Anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and the upcoming High-level Political Forum (HLPF) and as linked to Pact for the Future implementation, the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) and the Peacebuilding Architecture Review (PBAR). At the intersection of these topics, this roundtable will explore the opportunities for colleagues across sectors to work collectively to build more gender-responsive and inclusive, peaceful and just societies.

This dialogue will be held under the Chatham House Rule to encourage an open and frank exchange of ideas.

Objectives

Convene key partners to discuss approaches for advancing greater coherence and action on SDG16+ and SDG5 – particularly in the context of violence against women, a sharp rise in conflict, small arms and light weapons, and militarism, and inequality and women’s civic participation and leadership in peace processes, government, and all aspects of political, social, and economic decision-making.

Identify collective advocacy priorities to address the root causes of instability and inequalities, which have a negative impact on women, through integrated approaches, including strengthening women’s political leadership and meaningful participation at all levels in the  implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Pact for the Future; 
Identify links between SDG5 and SDG16 in the context of FfD4 and PBAR, including by discussing areas for joint collaboration to support effective financing and implementation of SDG16+ and SDG5 at all levels.

Background

As the global community grapples with escalating conflicts, entrenched gender inequalities, backsliding on democratic norms, and a rapidly evolving and uncertain global order, SDG16 and SDG5 continue to offer a blueprint for fostering more peaceful, just, and inclusive societies. These goals are deeply interconnected: inequalities perpetuate cycles of violence and exclusion and undermine societal resilience and stability.  Examples of overlapping targets include:

• SDG16 Targets: Reducing violence (16.1), and ensuring equal access to justice for all (16.3), reducing illicit financial and arms flows (16.4), reducing corruption (16.5),  developing effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels (16.6), and promoting inclusive decision-making (16.7) are essential for addressing the root causes of inequalities and conflict, and supporting progress on gender equality.  
• SDG5 Targets: Addressing discriminatory practices (5.1), eliminating gender-based violence (5.2), and ensuring women’s participation in leadership (5.5) directly contribute to achieving peace and justice.

Despite progress in some areas, systemic challenges persist. Global events in 2025 — including FfD4, HLPF, PBAR and the 2nd World Summit for Social Development  — present critical opportunities to advance the transformative agendas of SDG16+ and SDG5. Further, Pact for the Future Implementation, including, for example, in the S-G’s report on the impact of military spending on sustainable development as an outcome of the Pact for the Future (Action 13) also presents opportunities to pursue exploration. Collaborative, cross-sectoral analysis and advocacy is essential to ensure that these goals remain central to sustainable development efforts.

Why SDG16 and SDG5? 

Peaceful, just, and inclusive societies (SDG16) provide the foundation for sustainable development, and peace, justice and inclusivity (SDG16) and gender equality (SDG5) are catalysts and preconditions for progress across the SDGs, as well as other pillars of the UN. By leveraging the synergies between SDG16+ and SDG5, stakeholders can drive transformative change that addresses both the symptoms and root causes of global challenges — from violence and corruption to gender-based discrimination, inequalities and exclusion.