The report issues a clarion call for immediate action to strengthen institutions, promote justice, and ensure inclusivity. It warns that a failure to address these issues risks undermining global efforts to achieve sustainable development goals by 2030.

Conflict-related civilian deaths saw a staggering 72 per cent increase in 2023, totalling 33,400 lives lost compared to the previous year, a newly released report says. This surge marks the highest casualty rate since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with women and children constituting 36 per cent and 31 per cent of the casualties respectively.

Released on Sunday, during the High-Level Political Forum at UN Headquarters, the report unveils troubling statistics that threaten to derail progress across all SDGs. The report, titled “Global Progress Report on SDG 16 Indicators: At the Crossroads: Breakdown or Breakthrough for Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions,” has sounded a stark alarm about the deteriorating global landscape.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed underscored the critical role of SDG 16, emphasizing, “This new report shows that we need to urgently scale-up action on the SDGs to build peaceful, just and inclusive societies, leaving no one behind.”

The report, jointly produced by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), highlights a disturbing global trend. It points out that while some SDG targets are making progress, nearly one-third are stalling or regressing.

Key findings of the report include an unprecedented rise in conflict-related deaths, with 33,400 civilians killed in 2023 (as mentioned earlier, this represents a 72 per cent increase from 2022), with women and children forming a significant proportion of the casualties.

Also, the number of journalists killed worldwide doubled to 40 in 2023. 

Crime, Conflicts and violent discrimination

Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator, lamented, “Far too many people around the world endure daily insecurity, injustice, and violence,” stressing the urgent need for robust, inclusive institutions capable of delivering justice and stability.

Ghada Waly, Executive Director of UNODC, echoed these concerns, stating, “Organized crime is claiming lives and violence is ravaging communities,” emphasizing the need for global action to promote justice and the rule of law.

Governments are failing to protect the rights of all people to live a life free from fear and violence, the report laments. Violent crime is on the rise, and organized crime is an increasing threat to peace and development, destroying peoples’ lives and communities.  Peace remains a lofty goal when, as the report finds, discrimination is widespread, corruption is pervasive, governance is not inclusive, and people are not able to access justice.

The report identifies several critical areas where challenges are escalating:

Rise in Conflict-related Deaths: The surge in civilian deaths highlights the intensifying nature of armed conflicts globally. Women and children are increasingly bearing the brunt of violence, reflecting a distressing humanitarian crisis.

Threats to Journalists and Human Rights Defenders: The report notes a doubling in the number of journalists killed worldwide in 2023 compared to previous years, underscoring a dangerous trend undermining press freedom and human rights advocacy.

Impact of Organized Crime: Organized crime remains a significant obstacle to peace, accounting for 22 percent of global homicides, particularly affecting regions like the Americas.

Violence against Women and Children: The report paints a grim picture of violence against women and children, with staggering numbers of female victims of homicide and widespread instances of violent discipline against children.

Discrimination and Inequality: Discrimination persists globally, affecting one in six people, with marginalized groups such as persons with disabilities facing heightened discrimination.

SDGs targets not on track

The findings serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for targeted interventions and global cooperation to reverse these alarming trends. They also call for increased investment in data collection and evidence-based research to guide policy responses and accelerate progress towards SDG 16.

Volker Türk, UN Human Rights Chief, emphasized, “Human rights are intrinsic to the 2030 Agenda,” highlighting the imperative to protect fundamental freedoms amidst escalating threats.

As the international community grapples with these challenges, the UN report issues a clarion call for immediate action to strengthen institutions, promote justice, and ensure inclusivity. Failure to address these issues, the report warns, risks undermining global efforts to achieve sustainable development goals by 2030.

“SDG 16 is a crucial enabler of all SDGs,” stated UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed. “This new report shows that we need to urgently scale-up action on the SDGs to build peaceful, just and inclusive societies, leaving no one behind.” 

With only 17 per cent of the SDGs targets on track and over one-third stalling or regressing, the new report calls for action by governments and all stakeholders to accelerate progress on SDG 16 or risk failing all the SDGs.  It underscores that achieving sustainable peace and justice is not only a moral imperative but a prerequisite for realizing all other development goals. It urges governments and stakeholders worldwide to redouble their efforts and investments in creating societies where peace, justice, and strong institutions prevail for the benefit of all.