UN Deputy Secretary-General Calls for Global Action to Achieve Sustainable Development Goal 16

In her remarks at the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 high-level conference on peace, justice, and inclusive societies for sustainable development, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed emphasized the critical importance of SDG 16 and the urgent need for global action. She highlighted that SDG 16 is not only essential for the success of the 2030 Agenda but also crucial for achieving the right to development and advancing the well-being of all people.

Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed expressed concern about the increasing challenges facing societies worldwide, including rampant conflict and violence, limited access to justice, corruption, shrinking civic spaces, and erosion of social contracts. She emphasized that achieving SDG 16’s vision of sustainable, secure, inclusive, and peaceful societies requires recommitment to the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, strengthening democracy and respecting the rule of law, retooling public institutions, and reforming the multilateral system to promote financial justice.

Mohammed called for greater investments in public institutions, the empowerment of civil society, and the provision of voice and representation to developing countries in international financial institutions. She also highlighted the UN system’s commitment to supporting governments in delivering on SDG 16 and leveraging it for the advancement of the entire 2030 Agenda.

The UN Deputy Secretary-General reminded the international community that achieving SDG 16 requires collective effort and solidarity. She mentioned upcoming high-level events, such as the Summit of the Future and the Financing for Development Conference, as crucial opportunities to advance the agenda of financial justice. Mohammed concluded by urging all stakeholders to join hands and work towards making SDG 16 a reality, aiming to bring peace and prosperity to women, youth, and future generations.

While the press release also mentioned reports of an impending assault in Rafah and the urgent need for support in Yemen, these topics were not directly related to the sustainable development goals and were not the main focus of the Deputy Secretary-General’s remarks.

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