UN Global SDG 16 Report Warns None of Peace, Justice, Inclusion Targets Are on Track
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Institutions: Ministry of Law and Justice | Ministry of Home Affairs | Ministry of Women and Child Development
A joint Global Progress Report on SDG 16, co-produced by UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime), UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), and OHCHR (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights), finds that none of the 23 targets under peace, justice, and inclusion are on track - and 15 percent are moving in the wrong direction. The report highlights rising conflict-related deaths, increasing attacks on journalists and human rights defenders, and widespread violence against women and children, alongside discrimination and exclusion gaps. Governance failures such as corruption, weak rule of law, and under-resourced institutions are identified as root causes. The report calls for urgent reform, stronger political will, and investment in justice delivery, civic protection, and institutional capacity.
The findings are a warning that without bolstering rule of law, civic protection, and inclusive governance, progress on all SDGs is at risk. For India, this has direct resonance: ensuring protection of women and children, strengthening safeguards for human rights defenders and journalists, and closing implementation gaps in justice and institutional trust will be critical to sustain democratic and developmental outcomes.
Follow the full report here:
https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/sdgs/2025_SDG16_Report.pdf