SDG 16 deals with peace, justice, and strong institutions and thus covers a broad legal, social, and political science spectrum. The attainment and reinforcement of this goal requires mutual efforts by the public sector and civil society. Issues ranging from violence, abuse, and exploitation to rule of law, corruption, and arms trading are addressed. Two-thirds of the global population still live in countries ruled by autocratic governments and do not have complete access to their basic rights. Austria is among the international leaders when it comes to the attainment of the SDG 16 targets, although there is still a need for action here, too. Central aspects of SDG 16 include access to justice for everyone, non-discriminatory laws, freedom of expression in the private and public sector, citizen participation in political processes, transparency, and combatting corruption. The following information box shows a selection of the key targets:

The UN has set the following goals for 2030 with regard to promoting peace and justice, and they have also been incorporated into the Austrian federal government’s 2030 agenda for sustainable development (abridged):

• Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere

• End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children

• Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all

• Significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows and combat all forms of organized crime

• Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms

• Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels

• Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels

• By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration

Source: Bundeskanzleramt