Synthesis of SDG16+ Consultation
In early 2023, the TAP Network conducted an online global survey of stakeholders to collect reflections and inputs on the current state of progress towards SDG16+ at the national and global level, and to unpack the challenges and key recommendations needed to improve implementation of SDG16+ in this second half of implementation towards 2030. The Global SDG16+ Survey: Halfway to 2030 had four key objectives: 1) Understanding perceptions of progress made towards SDG16+; 2) Exploring interlinkages between SDG16+ and all other SDGs; 3) Unpacking key challenges for SDG16+ implementation to date; and 4) Providing recommendations for improving SDG16+ implementation going forward.
The survey collected reflections and insights from any interested stakeholder working to advance SDG16+ for peaceful, just and inclusive societies in over 70 countries in every region of the world. As seen in the figure below, the vast majority of respondents represent international, regional, national and sub-national civil society and community-based organisations. UN bodies and National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) also responded.
Figure 1: Stakeholder Groups
Findings
One of the key objectives of the survey was to rate progress towards the overall implementation of SDG16+ at the national level. The majority of respondents (60 per cent) felt that there was no change, moderate backsliding or severe backsliding on SDG16+ at the national level. Additionally, only 37 per cent felt that there was good or excellent progress on the realisation of SDG16+ at the national level.“
Perception of National Progress
Figure 2: How would you rate progress towards the implementation of SDG16+ overall in your country?
Perception of International Progress
Figure 3: How would you rate progress towards SDG16+ at the global level, from the entire international community?
The survey also sought to interrogate the level of progress towards SDG16+ at the global level, from the entire international community. Figure 3 shows that 59 per cent of respondents indicated that there was no change, moderate backsliding or severe backsliding on global implementation of SDG16+, representing a statistically insignificant (0.75 per cent) decrease compared to perceptions of national-level actualisation of SDG16+. Similarly, 35 per cent of respondents felt there was good or excellent progress on the realisation of SDG16+ globally.
The survey further aimed to disaggregate respondentsâ perceptions of individual SDG16+ targets. Specifically, it examined the extent to which respondents felt progress had been made towards achieving the SDG16+ targets at the national level. Using a scale of 0 to 5, the survey revealed that the respondents believe the following SDG16+ targets were the least realised to date:Â
- 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms.
- 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
- 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
In contrast, respondents felt that the following SDG16+ targets were the most realised at the national level.
- 16.9: By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration.
- 16.8: Broaden and strengthen the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance.
- 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime indicators.
Figure 4: Perception of progress towards SDG16 targets at the national level
Respondents were further asked to examine the extent to which mechanisms or platforms for the government to engage with civil society or other stakeholders around SDG16+ exist at the national level. As seen in Figure 5 below, a majority of respondents believe that their country representatives engage with civil society and other stakeholders in its Voluntary National Review (VNR) process. However, only 30 per cent of respondents indicated that their government engages with civil society and other stakeholders outside of its VNR process.
Figure 5: Platforms for engagement with governmental stakeholders on SDG16+ at the national level
In reflecting on their governmentâs inclusivity in engaging with civil society or other stakeholders in the planning, implementation and accountability for SDG16+, two-thirds (67 per cent) of respondents shared that their government engaged with civil society to some degree. However, given that a prominent contingent of respondents (38 per cent) indicated that their government only observed âsome engagementâ with civil society, there is considerable room to improve and deepen processes to enable more robust civil society participation in official SDG16+ processes.
Figure 6: The quality of national governmentâs inclusivity in engaging with civil society or other stakeholders in the planning, implementation and accountability for SDG16+
Reflecting on the specific challenges which hinder progress towards SDG16+ implementation at the national level, the top four concerns were: 1) Lack of funding for overall work on SDG16+; 2) Low awareness of the SDGs with public; 3) Lack of accessible data, or lack of diversity of data; and 4) Lack of inclusion of marginalised and vulnerable communities in national SDG processes.
To augment and deepen support to address these challenges in adequately implementing SDG16+, respondents suggested the following actions as a matter of priority: 1) Increase funding for SDG16+, including civil society; 2) Creating more transparent and accountability processes in implementing SDG16+; 3) Developing an enabling environment for inclusion of marginalised and vulnerable communities across the SDGs; and 4) Engage with CSOs and other stakeholders in measuring and implementing SDG16+.