From 26 to 29 May NIMD joined the SDG16 Summit in Rome, preparing for July’s UN High-level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York. For the first time SDG16, the goal of “peace, justice and strong institutions”, is on the agenda of the yearly HLPF. NIMD used the momentum to gather with other civil society organizations and write a joint declaration endorsing accelerated action for SDG16.

The declaration, entitled “Amplified Commitments and Partnerships for Accelerated Action: Rome Civil Society Declaration on SDG16+”, outlines key messages, recommendations, and a call-to-action around SDG16 and related targets (commonly described as SDG16+). The Rome Declaration was adopted and presented by civil society in a statement to Members States, international organizations, and other SDG16+ stakeholders at the Rome SDG16+ Conference on 28 May 2016.

Civil society recommendations to accelerate SDG16+

NIMD has long argued that achieving SDG16 means that progress on all three key target areas, namely peaceful, just, and inclusive societies, must be achieved hand in hand. Five years into the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, we have not secured the progress needed on SDG16. In the Rome Civil Society Declaration on SDG16+ we therefore declare the need to accelerate its implementation by building on the following key elements:

1. Support integrated, multi-sectoral approaches for inclusive results
2. Mobilize and scale up commitments and investments to provide overall support to SDG16+ priority areas.
3. Strengthen local implementation capacities and mechanisms that are fit for purpose.
4. Increase data, monitoring, and accountability in order to ensure transparent, evidence-based results.
5. Stimulate inclusive participation and partnerships in official policy-making, planning, budgeting, and reporting processes across goals and sectors.
6. Protect civil society and expand civic space to create an enabling environment in which civil society can freely and safely operate, assemble, and ensure accountability.
7. Take a people-centered approach to all of the above. People – including women, children, youth, and other marginalized and vulnerable groups – are at the heart of SDG16 implementation, and this needs to be reflected in our approaches on security, justice and social, economic and political inclusion.

Read the full declaration here 

UN High-level Political Forum (HLPF)

The HLPF is the United Nations’ central platform for overseeing the implementation and progress of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the accompanying Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality” is the theme of this year’s HLPF. For the first time since the establishment of the 2030 Agenda, SDG16 is on the list of SDGs for review at the HLPF. Goal 16 underpins the other sixteen SDGs, which rest on institutions that are actually capable of responding to the needs of the public in an inclusive, transparent and accountable way.

Get involved!

NIMD continues advocating for the above-mentioned elements accelerating SDG16+ implementation and calls upon its partners to endorse the Rome Civil Society Declaration on SDG16+.

Click here to view and endorse the declaration. 

Keep an eye on our website for any other news related to NIMD’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals and the HLPF 2019!