Grounded in partnership for a peaceful, just, and inclusive world, QUNO NY collaborated with the Civil Society Platform for Peacebuilding and Statebuilding (CSPPS) and the Transparency, Accountability and Participation (TAP) Network to convene civil society representatives around the UNs Sustainable Development Goal 16, also known as the ‘peace goal’. The SDG 16 Community Gathering, held on 12 May, created space for thoughtful reflections and discussion after the 2025 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 Conference and the launch of the 2025 Rome Civil Society Declaration.  

This year’s SDG 16 Conference, themed “Advancing Peace, Justice, and Institutions for Sustainable Development”, was particularly timely given that the global arena has seen a consistent decline in the rule of law in recent years. The New York-based conference brought together government officials, legal scholars, and civil society leaders to assess the current state of SDG 16 progress, highlight the critical role of the rule of law and strong institutions, and explore the tangible impact of investing in SDG 16. Government representatives to the UN shared how their countries are working to improve legal systems and governance structures. At the same time, they acknowledged persistent challenges such as funding gaps for the SDGs and called for stronger, more coordinated support from UN bodies to advance reforms at the national level. 

The conference was strengthened by robust civil society engagement, including a dedicated panel moderated by our partners at CSPPS and the TAP Network. This session spotlighted the 2025 Rome Civil Society Declaration, which calls for a renewed, long-term commitment to SDG 16+ and the shared pursuit of a more peaceful, just, and inclusive world. The declaration also confronts urgent global challenges, including shrinking civic space, the pressing need for financial architecture reform, and the rising trend of global military spending. This collaboration reaffirmed the essential role of civil society in shaping SDG 16+ priorities and gaps while laying the groundwork for continued advocacy and accountability in 2025. The Community Gathering provided additional space for civil society to strategize, including discussing QUNO’s recent “Civil Society at the United Nations” resource paper utility as a tool to push back on shrinking civic space. 

Amid shrinking opportunities for civil society to engage meaningfully with UN processes, creating spaces for honest dialogue and strategic collaboration is more critical than ever. The May 12 community gathering at Quaker House offered just such a moment by bringing together civil society actors to reconnect, exchange insights, and reinvigorate collective efforts around SDG 16. Participants shared their experiences and challenges in working to achieve SDG 16, while exploring how to integrate outcomes from the conference into upcoming processes, such as the Financing for Development Conference and the High-Level Political Forum that will both be held this summer. QUNO looks forward to continued collaboration to advance peace, justice, and inclusive governance in line with Sustainable Development Goal 16.