GOAL 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Objective: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

The Targets

Why it matters: 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. Indeed until there is peace, stability, human rights or effective governance that is based on the rule of law – we cannot hope for sustainable development. This is why it is disturbing to discover that every minute, nearly 20 people are displaced as a result of conflict or persecution; 10 million have been deemed stateless as a result of having been denied a nationality and related rights; and 603 million women live in countries where domestic violence is not considered a crime.

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 organised 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.

By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species.

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.