World Engineering Day
PTrans Target
Hero

SDG 16: Peace & Justice

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels
SDG Goal

SDG 16 aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. Many regions face challenges such as violence, corruption, and lack of justice, hindering social and economic development.

How engineering can make it happen

Engineering practice that is diverse and inclusive, sustainable and ethical is essential for advancing the SDGs. Engineers are partnering to develop strong institutions for engineering education, accreditation, and regulation, which are essential for ensuring high standards of engineering education and the competency of engineers everywhere. The WFEO Model Code of Ethics for engineers is guiding other professional engineering institutions. Engineers are also improving standards to address corruption in engineering to maximize the benefit of infrastructure investments that support sustainable development for all.

Video Thumbnail
Film courtesy of the Royal Academy of Engineers

Global progress

  • Violence and conflict continue to drive human suffering and displacement. In 2024, nearly 50,000 lives were lost to conflict – one every 12 minutes – disproportionately affecting women and children. By the end of 2024, 123.2 million people were forcibly displaced. While global homicide rates fell by 12% between 2015 and 2023, progress remains far below the 50% reduction target.
  • Access to justice remains elusive: one in three prisoners worldwide are held without a proper sentence, and risks to human rights defenders and journalists persist. The number of journalist killings rose by 11% in 2024, with conflict zones especially dangerous.
  • There are signs of progress: budget reliability has improved, access-to-information laws expanded, and more countries now have compliant human rights institutions. Still, significant gaps remain in building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions.
  • Urgent action is needed to protect lives and restore trust through peacebuilding, justice reform, and accountability. This requires strengthening institutions, promoting inclusive governance, protecting civic space, and addressing root causes of conflict and injustice. Sustained political will and enhanced international cooperation are essential to drive lasting change.

Source: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2025/

Key Stats