Voices of SDG16+: Stories for Global Action

With great pleasure, we invite you to participate in our interactive virtual side event, which will feature local peacebuilders selected through a global video campaign ahead of the HLPF2020. Selected storytellers will showcase how local action on #SDG16+ is central to COVID-19 response and resilient recovery, and how SDG16+ provides the foundation for building more peaceful, just and inclusive societies.

In 2020, the world entered the Decade of Action to deliver the Global Goals. Progress is being made in many places, but, overall, action to meet the Goals is not yet advancing at the required speed. Hence, this urgent call for accelerated action in the ten years we have left in order to transform the world. 'The 2030 Agenda: For people, planet and prosperity' represents indivisible and interrelated components of the entire sustainable development framework. SDG16, however, is both a stand-alone goal as well as a foundational underpinning to all the other SDGs. Delivery on the targets of SDG16 impacts the world’s overall ability to achieve sustainable development. By showcasing SDG16+ videos via this campaign, we want to shine a light on innovative actions and solutions that help bolster the progress.

We are cognizant of the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic impacts the planned work towards more peaceful, just and inclusive societies. At the same time, we believe that the time for doubling down our efforts to support local action on SDG16+ is now more needed and relevant than ever. Amplifying the voices of those that are working relentlessly at national and local levels henceforth needs to continue.

The 2020 Voices of SDG16+: Stories for Global Action side event will focus on the interlinkages between SDG16+ and COVID-19. We invited participants to showcase how local actions are supporting global solutions. We encouraged them to illustrate how local action on SDG16+ is central to COVID-19 response and resilient recovery and how the principles of SDG16+ provide the foundation for shaping more peaceful, just and inclusive societies.

Local peacebuilders from Egypt, Nigeria, Palestine, Uganda, and Yemen were selected among a range of videos received from local civil society actors and changemakers around the world, working to put the 2030 Agenda and its commitment to peace, justice and inclusion into action. The side event will also feature winners from the 2019 Voices of SDG16+.


Register to the event here.