No society can thrive without peace, justice, and strong institutions. Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16) aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. Injustice, corruption, violence, and weak governance undermine progress across all other goals. Without addressing these root issues, sustainable development remains out of reach.

Each year, millions of people are affected by conflict, violence, and human rights abuses. Armed conflict not only causes death and displacement, but also destroys infrastructure, disrupts education and healthcare, and deepens poverty. Civilians, particularly women and children, often bear the brunt of war and insecurity.

Justice remains inaccessible to many. In numerous countries, legal systems are slow, discriminatory, or unaffordable. People living in poverty, minorities, women, and marginalized groups are more likely to experience injustice and less likely to receive fair treatment under the law. Where the rule of law breaks down, impunity thrives—and so does corruption, which drains resources and weakens public trust.

Strong institutions—free from corruption and guided by transparency—are critical for protecting rights, ensuring accountability, and delivering services. This includes everything from local governments and police forces to courts, electoral systems, and regulatory bodies. Effective institutions build trust between people and their governments, enabling social cohesion and democratic participation.

SDG 16 also emphasizes inclusive decision-making. People should have the right and the means to participate in decisions that affect their lives. This includes protecting civil liberties like freedom of speech, assembly, and the press. Around the world, civic space is shrinking, with journalists, activists, and human rights defenders increasingly under threat.

To truly achieve SDG 16, efforts must address not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice. This includes transitional justice in post-conflict societies, anti-corruption measures, police reform, and access to legal aid. Technology and digital platforms can also improve transparency and access to justice, especially in remote or underserved areas.

Peace and justice are not abstract ideals—they are practical necessities for development, equity, and human dignity. SDG 16 provides a blueprint for building societies where everyone has the opportunity to live free from fear and with full access to rights and justice.