Progress on SDG16: How are we doing and what happens if we fail?

In September 2015, leaders of the world called for a ‘new chapter’ in global development to be achieved by 2030 through 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Today, we are close to the halfway point and many challenges remain so no one is ‘left behind'. One key condition for achieving sustainable development and all SDGs consists in promoting just, peaceful, and inclusive societies (SDG 16). 

In this era of seemingly insurmountable problems, from poverty and inequality to climate change, it is important to highlight that only political systems and institutions which meet the standards of SDG 16 are able to deliver all SDGs sustainably over time.  

SDG 16 is largely focused on a number of cross-cutting values upon which delivery of all of the SDGs depend. These include democracy - understood as popular control over public decision-making and equality in the exercise of that control- respect for human rights and the rule of law, and effective, transparent, and accountable public institutions. Without these influences in decision-making, it is unlikely that the needs of the people —from quality education (SDG 4) to climate action (SDG 13)—will be listened to and addressed by governments. 

The SDG16 Data Initiative makes the argument for peace, justice, and strong institutions as a threshold condition for development, illustrating the linkages between goal 16 and other goals. Despite its importance, the evidence so far suggests that we are a long way from achieving the targets under SDG 16. The Initiative will therefore provide a halfway diagnosis and look ahead to the challenges for the next seven years, providing key policy recommendations. 

The side event of the SDG 16 Data Initiative aims at presenting an evaluation of progress and challenges for meeting SDG16 and a reflection on the interlinkages between SDG16 and all other SDGs. The guiding questions for the discussion include: 

• What is the importance of SDG16 for achieving sustainable development and its linkages with other SDGs? 
• What is the state of the world as we approach the halfway point of the SDGs according to available data on SDG 16, and more specifically on the target/indicator that your organization focuses on? 
• What are key challenges, opportunities, and trends that the data shows? 
• What is the state of data coverage on SDG 16 targets and indicators?  
• How does non-official data matter for supporting targets and indicators? 
• Which are key recommendations for stakeholders to strengthen work towards the achievement of SDG16+?

Moderator:

• Massimo Tommasoli, International IDEA

Speakers:

• Gergely Hideg,   Small Arms Survey 

• Akhila Kolisetty, NAMATI

• Miguel Angel Lara Otaola, International IDEA

• Toby Mendel, Centre for Law and Democracy

• Leon Willems, Free Press Unlimited

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