QUNO works towards implementing the UN’s 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which comprise a global action plan for people, planet, prosperity, and peace through partnership. In particular, QUNO works on SDG 16: the “peace goal.” QUNO has a long history of work on SDG 16 that dates back to the initial negotiation processes that established the 17 SDGs. While SDG 16 is often called the peace goal, its full title is “Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.” QUNO’s work on SDG 16 emphasizes that building sustainable peace requires continuous investment and action, and that lessons can be learned and built upon from both the developed and developing world.
During the 1950s, under the sombre shadow of the Second World War, people from across nations donated medals and coins to fashion a bell with the simple message “Long live absolute world peace” inscribed on its side. The chimes of this Peace Bell now take centre stage during the celebration of International Day of Peace, on the 21st of September every year. This year, the theme for reflection during the International Day of Peace was “Actions for peace: Our ambition for the #GlobalGoals”, which was appropriate with 2023 also marking the mid-point towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Goal 16 is often referred to as the peace goal, and it calls on countries to work towards “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions”. Beyond building ceasefires and peace agreements, countries are encouraged to tackle the root causes of conflict to achieve peace by peaceful means. In the wake of ever more severe global crises, what does it mean to act for peace? In his address during the celebration of the International Day of Peace this year, the UN Secretary-General (SG), Antonio Guterres, highlighted how peace is central to achieving many SDGs. As […]
During September, hundreds of participants from civil society, marginalized communities, excluded groups, and local actors came together to hold governments accountable to their global commitments at the United Nations. The Global People’s Assembly provides an opportunity for participants to share their experience of social, environmental and economic injustice, and to strategize around ending inequalities. Gathering over two days alongside the opening of the UN General Assembly, discussions included a panel on Peace and Conflicts. QUNO New York Representative, Kavita Desai, speaking on behalf of the Civil Society-UN Prevention Platform, provided background on current UN processes, including the proposal by the UN Secretary-General for a New Agenda for Peace, and next year’s UN Summit of the Future. Kavita outlined potential entry points for civil society to engage and uplift the importance of prevention during the upcoming year, including by sharing analysis and examples of national action. Kavita also reminded participants of the upcoming July 2024 review of Sustainable Development Goal 16 on peaceful societies, inclusive institutions, and access to justice for all. Participants spoke about the challenges in engaging with the UN system, and the need to better connect discussions and opportunities in New York with work taking place at the […]
On September 16th, QUNO New York Representative, Kavita Desai, spoke at a side event in connection to the Sustainable Development Goals Summit. In her presentation, she stressed that, “for the United Nations engagement with young people on peace and security to be sustainable, there must be an investment in young people and in prevention.” At the event, titled “Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) agenda at the local level,” a panel of speakers, including Kavita, focused on the reality that youth are often the most affected by conflict, injustice, and exclusion. Speakers emphasized that one in four young people worldwide live in settings impacted by armed conflict or organized violence. Like Kavita, other panelists highlighted that polices need to be strengthened and international cooperation should increase to enable support and inclusion of young. In addition to government and UN panelists, youth speakers shared their personal experiences. They called on the international community to not just talk about young people, but to include them in policy and decision making processes. One speaker challenged the UN system and government representatives, asking the room, “where are all the young people?” Adding to the discussion, Kavita stated […]
The annual High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development began at the UN headquarters on the 10th of July. Each year, government and UN officials gather alongside civil society to discuss progress made towards sustainable development; the theme of this year's forum was “Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels”. The conference spotlighted the need for more effective and inclusive recovery measures that address the impacts of the pandemic on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also explored how the SDGs and 2030 agenda can be achieved to ensure no one is left behind. QUNO NY rep Kavita Desai, spoke at a side event convened by the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and the Permanent Mission of Italy to the UN. In her remarks, Kavita asked meeting participants to consider the critical role that inclusivity plays in the 2030 Agenda . When asked how we can better integrate youth voices Kavita responded that “Inclusion is both a voice in the consultations and involvement in the outcomes of evidence-based policy making, access to resources, and partnership in implementation.” Other key points […]
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