Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development.
Without peaceful and inclusive societies and good governance, development is demonstrably not sustainable. Conflict-affected states, for example, are furthest away from achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Conversely, in many other countries, the restoration of peace and accountable institutions has been shown to be instrumental in achieving the MDGs.
Goal 16 therefore aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies by 2030. To this end, Goal 16 calls for the reduction of all forms of violence, the end of torture and the fight against all forms of organized crime. In addition, corruption and bribery as well as illegal arms and financial flows are to be significantly reduced. The rule of law and participatory institutions should be promoted and equal access to justice guaranteed so that peaceful and inclusive societies can emerge.
