We Cannot Achieve the SDGs Without Ensuring Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The world is facing a battle against a common enemy, COVID-19: an enemy which knows no boundaries and does not care about nationality or ethnicity, faction or faith. Never before have dialogue and cooperation across borders, sectors and generations been more crucial in building a better future for all.

Yet armed conflict continues to rage around the globe. Wars prevent corridors for life-saving aid to be brought to those who need it most. They cause hostility, animosity and ultimately remove human dignity from civilians who find themselves in crossfires.

A sustained focus on the achievement of this month’s SDG in highlight, SDG 16 ‘Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions’ is therefore paramount in the world’s recovery from COVID-19 and ultimate prosperity.

In March 2020, the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr António Guterres, urged warring parties across the world to lay down their weapons in support of the bigger battle against COVID-19 while stating that “it is time to put armed conflict on lockdown and focus together on the true fight of our lives.” We must silence the guns.

Silent guns mean peace and ’peace’ is defined as the absence of war and conflict.

As written by the UN Secretary General: “Peace is at the heart of the United Nations Charter and all that we do. The concept of a culture of peace provides an intellectual frame and political impulse for action.  It is a concept that embodies the yearning to make peace a way of life.  It is grounded in the understanding that peace is fragile and that the pursuit of peace must be a constant process. Peace is something we must work hard to secure every day and everywhere.”

The absence of peace exacerbates poverty, erodes institutions and deprives millions of security, resources, rights and opportunities. Civilians always pay the highest price. Moreover, crises fuel fragmentation and allow impunity to thrive, destroying both private and public infrastructure including electricity, water supply, telecommunications, schools and health facilities. Conflict also has substantial effects on a nation’s public finances, limiting a Government’s ability to respond in an effective manner and, in turn, aggravating economic and social costs.

Peaceful and inclusive societies are not possible in conflict and war. Women and children are disproportionately affected by conflict: children are more vulnerable to malnourishment and lack of access to education – figures show that primary school enrolment rates are nine (9) to 13 times lower in conflict areas than in non-conflict areas. Increased food insecurity driven by the destruction of livelihoods and agricultural supply chains, means that children are more likely to suffer the devastating effects of malnutrition including lower cognitive performance, school enrolment, and lifetime earnings. Child soldiers who survive conflict face a lifetime of effects, which often prevent them from integrating into society.

Women are more likely to become victims of gender-based violence and trafficking during conflicts, often limiting the movement of girls and women, their access to schools and employment opportunities.

The link between peace and development cannot be refuted. Urgent action is needed.

In 2015, World Leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 SDGs. The 17 SDGs call for action by all countries to promote prosperity while maintaining peace, protecting the planet, the people and building partnerships. With only ten years remaining to achieve these goals, we are in a Decade of Action in which countries are accelerating steps to ensure that no one is left behind. 

In 2017, the UN Secretary-General commended the continent’s commitment to peace and security, notably through the AU-UN Framework on Peace and Security and a comprehensive plan by the African Union to align the continent’s goals with the UN sustainable development goals in the AU Agenda 2063.

Agenda 2063, signed in 2013 by African Heads of State and Government, sets out to achieve seven (07) important aspirations, which will enable shared prosperity across the continent, well-being, unity and integration. The Agenda seeks to create a continent of free citizens, who have opportunities to prosper, especially women and youth, without fear, disease and want. Since the implementation of Agenda 2063, African leaders have been successful in reducing conflict by 47 percent: an incredible achievement.

The United Nations stands in solidarity with the African Union and its endeavours to achieve sustainable peace on the continent, and continues to stand united with the world’s most vulnerable people.

This year, as the UN celebrates its 75th anniversary amidst great disruption, the Secretary-General initiated the world’s largest conversation on setting priorities as a human family and seeking solutions on how to emerge stronger from the pandemic. Hundreds of dialogues have been conducted around the world, with the UN in Eswatini engaging in 16 dialogues with vulnerable communities such as LGBTQI, rural women, persons living with disabilities, persons living with HIV and AIDS, migrants, children, youth and artists.

The overwhelming requests of the participants in the Kingdom of Eswatini for ‘a better future’ were: equal access to opportunities for all, particularly economic opportunities; gender equality and reduced inequalities; greater involvement and consultation in decision-making; more dialogues, advocacy and social justice; increased solutions that come from the people; enhanced preparedness to address emergencies such as COVID-19. None of which can be achieved without peace, justice and strong institutions.

In his address at the 75th session of General Assembly Debate this September, His Majesty King Mswati III (represented by the Rt Hon. Prime Minister, H.E. Ambrose Dlamini), reminded the United Nations to “revisit and stick to the ideal that recognizes dignity, prioritizes the value of cooperation and the equal worth of all, leaving no one behind.” Such values are prominent in Eswatini’s pursuit of peace.

As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads across the continent and the world, the UN continues to support His Majesty’s Government, the African Union and countries across the globe in the battle against the virus and ultimately in their joint efforts to silence all guns.

In solidarity to ensure peace and development, on 22 October, the United Nations and the Government of Eswatini signed the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2021-2025. This framework serves to act as a partnership of accountability and transparency between the United Nations, the Government of Eswatini and partners in creating “a prosperous, just and resilient Eswatini where no one is left behind.” This milestone is significant to maintaining peace in this beautiful nation and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In conclusion, I quote Nelson Mandela whose words are true today: “Peace is the greatest weapon for development that any person can have.”  Without peace, we cannot win the war against COVID-19, we cannot achieve the sustainable development goals and we cannot ensure dignity for all.

Goal 16 targets

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

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

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

16.4 By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime

16.5 Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms

16.6 Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels

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

16.8 Broaden and strengthen the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance

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

16.10 Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements

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

16.B Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development

Facts and figures

• Among the institutions most affected by corruption around the world are the judiciary and police.
• Corruption, bribery, theft and tax evasion cost some US $1.26 trillion for developing countries per year; this amount of money could be used to lift those who are living on less than $1.25 a day above $1.25 for at least six years.
• Approximately 28.5 million primary school age who are out of school live in conflict-affected areas.
• The rule of law and development have a significant interrelation and are mutually reinforcing, making it essential for sustainable development at the national and international level.
• The proportion of prisoners held in detention without sentencing has remained almost constant in the last decade, at 31per cent of all prisoners.

Violence against children

• The number of people fleeing war, persecution and conflict exceeded 70 million in 2018, the highest level recorded by the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) in almost 70 years. 
• In 2019, the United Nations tracked 357 killings and 30 enforced disappearances of human rights defenders, journalists and trade unionists in 47 countries.
• Violence against children affects more than 1 billion children around the world and costs societies up to US$ 7 trillion a year.
• 50 per cent of the world’s children experience violence every year.
• Every 7 minutes, somewhere in the world, a child is killed by violence
• 1 in 10 children is sexually abused before the age of 18.
• 9 in 10 children live in countries where corporal punishment is not fully prohibited, leaving 732 million children without legal protection.
• 1 in 3 internet users worldwide is a child and 800 million of them use social media. Any child can become a victim of online violence.
• 246 million children worldwide affected by school-related violence each year.