Ten years after the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, a new UN report reveals that none of the 23 targets under Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16) are on track, with 15 percent of them regressing. The Global Progress Report on SDG 16, released by UNDP, UNODC, and OHCHR, highlights the critical role of peaceful, just, and inclusive societies in advancing the UN’s vision, but finds that escalating conflicts, attacks on journalists and human rights defenders, and rising discrimination have set back progress since 2015.
The report shows that conflict disproportionately affects women and children. Between 2023 and 2024, over 21,000 women and nearly 17,000 children were killed, a fourfold increase from previous years, with most casualties concentrated in Gaza. Globally, 2024 marked the third consecutive year of sharp rises in conflict-related civilian deaths, increasing by 40 percent compared to the previous year, underscoring the urgent need for humanitarian and human rights protections.
Human rights defenders continue to face grave risks. Every 14 hours, a journalist, trade unionist, or human rights defender is killed or disappears, reflecting persistent attacks by governments, organized crime, and other non-state actors. In response, OHCHR is developing advanced data science tools and the Human Rights Data Exchange platform to improve tracking, transparency, and accessibility of human rights information worldwide.
The report identifies governance failures—such as corruption, illicit arms flows, and weak rule of law—as root causes of conflict and violence. Strengthening governance is essential to breaking cycles of violence and building societal trust. Encouragingly, global homicide rates have declined since 2015, and responsible deployment of technology, including AI, could further accelerate reductions. UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly emphasizes that decisive action is needed to restore trust in institutions and ensure equitable access to justice to prevent further erosion of SDG 16 progress.
The release of this report coincides with the UN’s 80th anniversary and the ongoing UN80 reform initiative, which aims to modernize the organization amid complex global challenges. Aligned with the UNGA’s anniversary theme, “Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights,” the UN is promoting innovation, capacity building, and partnerships with governments and the private sector to reverse regression. The report calls on governments, donors, and international partners to invest in rule of law, civic space, and data-driven governance to keep peace, justice, and inclusion attainable by 2030.
