Joint Statement on behalf of the Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies at the High-level Political Forum 2026

Colleagues:

This statement is on behalf of the Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies.

Amid major geopolitical shifts, we come together to consider the SDGs under review and sustainable development more broadly. As conflict and global shocks continue to bring extraordinary human, humanitarian, social, and economic costs, sustainable development efforts must meet the needs of people and be anchored in multilateralism and cooperation. So, what are the actions and enabling conditions required to change course?

Peace, justice, inclusion, and effective institutions are widely acknowledged as enablers of progress across the SDGs, from poverty reduction, to health, gender equality, the environment, and education; critical to making development truly sustainable in a disrupted world. National Development Plans and Voluntary National Reviews reflect that action on SDG16 has practical dividends across development efforts, while fully respecting Member States’ diverse realities, capacities, and priorities.

This is clear when looking at the SDGs under review this year. Energy transitions without inclusive governance can weaken sustainability and deepen inequality, while strong, inclusive governance and policy coherence are essential for ensuring universal access to modern energy services. Access to justice and the rule of law are key to upholding environmental laws to protect and prevent pollution in water. Reduced levels of violence are associated with de-risked public and private investment, including in infrastructure development and inclusive technological innovation. And in a rapidly urbanizing world, in which cities are the intersection of the SDGs, advancing peace and justice, and addressing inequality through smart, adaptive governance, at all levels, is all the more important and feasible.

In the Peace in our Cities network, a group of about 100 cities and civil society partners co-facilitated by the Pathfinders Secretariat, some cities have reduced violent deaths by 70% or greater. This is done by addressing both the manifestations of violence and the human, socioeconomic, and development factors that drive it, demonstrating the mutually reinforcing links between peace and development.

As many countries face growing financial constraints, SDG16 is also about creating enabling environments for sustainable investment and supporting domestic resource mobilization, in line with the Sevilla Commitment (FfD4). It is estimated that global violence costs 11.6% of global GDP, with even relatively peaceful countries losing around 8% of GDP to the impacts of violence. Yet research shows that countries or local governments that invest in access to justice, the rule of law, stability, and accountability see higher long-term economic growth as well as visible improvements for people.

SDG16, at its core, supports the development of adaptive, resilient, and anticipatory governance systems that are able to anticipate, respond to and address shocks, including those related to climate change and environmental degradation, while mitigating their impact on people’s lives, and supporting inclusive transitions.

Ultimately, SDG16 is the glue that holds peace, development, and humanitarian action together, as a foundation for cross-sectoral, multilateral cooperation. Anchored in human rights, it’s how societies manage risk, build resilience, catalyze inclusive growth, and address inequalities, within and between countries.

In a context of evolving global order and significant UN reform, trust is at a premium. Multilateralism, rooted in the UN Charter and principles of SDG16, can help build this trust, to more effectively deliver change across the UN’s pillars. Cross-regional coalitions, such as Pathfinders and its initiatives, support and reflect this inclusive, multilateral cooperation, highlighting the need for partnerships between member states, civil society, and others, particularly in an era of shrinking civic space.

We call on countries to prioritize investments in peace, justice, and inclusive institutions. This includes strengthening transparency, accountability and efforts to combat corruption, ensuring that resources reach those who need them most, and that development gains are inclusive and sustainable.

This is critical to accelerating SDG implementation now, and to laying the groundwork for any future development agenda.