UNGA 78: Delivering the SDGs through Peace, Justice, Inclusion and Strong Institutions (SDG16+)

From the climate emergency to conflict and widespread human rights violations, continued food and energy insecurity, increasing division and political polarization, and a growing disillusionment with institutions to deliver on promises made in 2015, we are in the midst of intersecting and often overwhelming crises. However, solutions do exist and champions for them persist. 

Halfway through the 2030 Agenda, advancing peace, justice, equality and inclusion (SDG16+), as a matter of political and financial priority, is critical to mitigating the impact of global crises while delivering the policy solutions needed to sustainably fulfill the promises made by 193 countries eight years ago. The 2023 SDG Summit presents an “unmissable” moment for the international community to turn things around to bring the SDGs, and SDG16+, back on track.

Against this backdrop, International IDEA, the TAP Network, and the Pathfinders, along with other Global SDG16+ Coalition partners, will host a high-level SDG16+ event on the margins of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly and the 2023 SDG Summit to amplify commitments made, draw out solutions across SDG16+, and demonstrate how concrete action on peace, justice, equality and inclusion drives progress across the SDGs, strengthens multilateralism, and consolidates democratic principles. As such, challenges and trade-offs will be identified, while providing a platform to showcase innovative examples of action and specific interlinkages that leave room for optimism and ambition for the second half of the 2030 Agenda. 

This includes, but is not limited, high-ambition campaigns and coalitions such as the #SDG16Now Campaign, which supports mobilization, advocacy and storytelling around SDG16+ for stronger commitments, smarter financing for SDG16+, and greater support for civil society, and the Justice Action Coalition, a high ambition, cross-regional and cross-sectoral coalition committed to closing the justice gap and achieving equal access to justice for all by 2030. 

Other initiatives provide in-depth analysis and data, including on interlinkages, such as UNDP’s SDG Push Diagnostic that provides a dynamic visualization of - among others- how action on SDG16 can influence other SDGs, as well as the SDG16 Data Initiative, a consortium of organizations that provides non-official data and analysis on several targets and indicators on SDG 16.

Format

This event will feature a mix of high-level speakers with leaders from key SDG16+ communities, and will provide an additional informal space for networking, partnerships and dynamic engagement for participants. The event will open with an interactive panel discussion (1.5 hours), followed by a reception.

Pictures

Picture of the event can be found here. 

Speakers

Opening Remarks by the co-host

• Mr. Marcel de Vink, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of the Netherlands

Panelists

• H.E. Mr. Bendito dos Santos Freitas,  Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste 
• H.E. Ms Yill Otero, Vice Minister of Multilateral Affairs and International Cooperation, Panama
• Ms. Ulrika Modéer, Assistant Secretary-General, Director of the Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy, UNDP
• Ms. Rohey Malick Lowe, Mayor of Banjul, The Gambia
• Mr. Abdul Tejan-Cole, Coordinator, African Center of Excellence for Access to Justice 

 Moderator: Dr. Kevin Casas-Zamora, Secretary-General, International IDEA

Discussants from the floor

• Ms. Cecilia Zade Iseni, Youth Delegate to the UN for Democracy and Partnerships, Denmark

Closing Remarks

Ms. Sarah Cliffe, Executive Director, Center on International Cooperation, New York University

Partners: TAP Network, Pathfinders, UNDP, CSPPS, WFUNA, IDLO

Please note that registration has closed. For Member States that have full access to the UN during UNGA, please contact Ms. Amanda Sourek (a.sourek@idea.int) for additional options on registration.