The online launch of the collective Forus report “Rebuilding Trust for Inclusive Governance: At the Core of Unlocking SDG 16” offered important insights into the crucial role of inclusive governance for achieving SDG16 and served as a platform for exchanging diverse strategies and best practices. 

The report centers on Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), which is vital for achieving all other goals and driving global progress. Despite the slow advancement towards the Agenda 2030, escalating conflicts, deepening crises, and decreasing trust in institutions, inclusive governance remains crucial. It ensures that vulnerable groups that have been historically marginalized are integrated into decision-making, addressing root causes "of social ills” rather than just their symptoms.  

Building on previous Forus work and combining secondary data with interviews with Forus members from various regions, the report offers practical strategies for policymakers, civil society, and international agencies and human rights advocates for evidence-based decision-making and strategic interventions. The report outlines eleven key recommendations to advance inclusive governance and achieve SDG 16. These include promoting inclusive participation, intersectoral collaborations, ensuring fundamental freedoms for civil society, prioritizing localized decision-making, and advocating for equity and inclusion. It also emphasizes the need to improve transparency and accountability, uphold the rule of law, combat corruption, enhance public services, build effective institutions, and utilize data-driven decision-making. 

You can find the complete report here. 

Sarah Strack, Director of Forus, opened the launch event of the report at this year’s High-Level Political Forum focusing on the urgency of inclusive governance as a fundamental element of sustainable development.  

Jyotsna Mohan Singh, Forus Advocacy Officer and lead investigator of the report, moderated the rest of the session, beginning with an overview of the report's key sections, findings, and main recommendations developed by the Forus network. 

Rebuilding Trust for Inclusive Governance 

Forus views the 2024 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) and the upcoming Summit of the Future as key opportunities to reaffirm commitments to SDG 16, emphasizing the need for inclusive decision-making and robust institutions for sustainable development. This year's HLPF focuses on reinforcing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and addressing poverty amid multiple crises, reviewing SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 13 (Climate Action), 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), with SDG 16 being reviewed for the second time. Forus will participate in this year's High-Level Political Forum advocating the key findings and recommendations from the member-led SDG16 Report.  

The report, a collaborative effort with Forus members, assesses the current state of SDG 16 implementation, highlighting both areas of progress and where targets remain stagnant or have regressed. It highlights over 40 best practices and experiences from civil society, governments, and the Forus network, designed to inspire the creation of accountable institutions and peaceful societies.  

Section 1: Inclusive Governance as Key to Unlocking SDG 16 and Advancing the 2030 Agenda 

SDG 16, which promotes peace, justice, and strong institutions, is both a goal and a critical enabler for sustainable development. Inclusive governance is vital for ensuring diverse voices, especially from marginalized groups such as women, youth, and minorities, are included in decision-making processes. Creating an enabling environment for civil society—both online and offline—is essential for vibrant civic spaces and effective governance. Key elements for inclusive governance include transparency, accountability, anti-corruption measures, and data-driven decision-making, which together are crucial for achieving the 2030 Agenda and reinforcing the rule of law. 

Section 2: Challenges to Inclusive Governance 

The report identifies several obstacles to inclusive governance. The COVID-19 pandemic and global crises and conflicts have exacerbated social and economic issues, hurting civil society efforts and governance. Restrictions on civic space limit freedoms of expression and assembly, while political instability and conflict disrupt governance and public health responses. Socioeconomic inequalities and intimidation further marginalize vulnerable groups, and the digital divide restricts access to e-governance.  

This section provides various examples from Forus members that illustrate the current state of inclusive governance and civic space worldwide, as well as how civil society organizations  can adapt to and overcome these challenges. 

Section 3: Best Practices and Innovative Initiatives 

The report highlights successful practices and initiatives, such as Forus's global advocacy for civic space protection, the Pakistan Civic Space Monitor (PCSM), Latvia's "My Voice" platform, and Uganda's "Topowa Forums." Other examples include Korea’s KCOC program, the Global Digital Compact consultation, Argentina’s JusLab for transparency, Ghana’s transformed Supreme Audit Institution, Fiji’s FCOSS microfinance program, Indonesia’s One Data Policy, and Nepal’s LGCDP for local governance. 

Section 4: Recommendations 

Insights from our panelists 

Moderated by Jyotsna, the next segment of the event featured interventions from six panelists, each representing Forus members from various global regions. The discussions focused on strategies to promote transparency, mechanisms for ensuring accountability, and highlighted case studies and best practices. Marie L'Hostis, Forus Advocacy Coordinator, concluded the event by highlighting the key insights from the report and calling on all stakeholders—governments, civil society, international institutions, the private sector and others—to adopt and implement the recommendations of the report.  

Inese Vaivare, LAPAS (Latvia) 

Constructive cooperation and active engagement are crucial in democratic countries, where collaborative platforms like councils and civic dialogues facilitate significant progress. For instance, a council established in 2005 with government and CSO representatives has successfully addressed many issues and demonstrated that, despite challenges and the need for adaptation to new forms of participation, meaningful change is achievable over time.  

Zia Ur Rehman, PDA (Pakistan) & the Asia Development Alliance (Asia)  

Citizen participation is being undermined, and democratic processes are at risk in many regions. While SDG 16 is crucial for enabling and accelerating progress, there is a need for targeted recommendations, particularly for Asian countries facing poverty and rising inequality. To address these challenges, specific suggestions for improving global governance, promoting inclusive green governance, enhancing global citizenship education, and strengthening the capacity of authorities are essential for advancing SDG 16 effectively – as well as extended partnerships with civil society as well as the academia. 

Carlos Arana, ANC (Peru) 

In Peru, civil society organizations are facing increasing pressures due to proposed legislative changes that could significantly alter the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation (APCI), intensifying oversight and control over NGOs and non-profits, and potentially criminalizing their activities. The Japiqay Association of Memory and Citizenship, with ANC support, has analyzed these proposals, highlighting concerns about the restriction of civil society’s role in defending democracy and human rights, and the politicization of APCI. In response, Peruvian NGOs have launched the #CooperacionParaLaDemocracia campaign and are organizing debates to address the issue. 

Chris Nkwatsibwe, UNNGOF (Uganda) 

Civic participation is essential for sustainable development, yet it has faced significant restrictions and attacks in recent decades. In Uganda, the weakening of civic space has led to citizen apathy and disengagement from governance. To counter this, a model called "Toppowa" (meaning "do not give up") has been developed, which encourages regular community engagement in political and governance issues. Over the past five years, this model has fostered increased responsiveness from local leaders and improved citizen involvement in addressing public concerns, such as budget issues and infrastructure needs. 

Emeline Siale Ilolahia, PIANGO (Pacific Islands) 

PIANGO, with support from researchers and the CIVICUS Monitor, emphasizes the need for mutual accountability and the validity of data in advocating for SDGs. The Pacific Islands face significant data gaps due to logistical and cultural challenges, which hinder progress on national development plans and SDGs. The report "Measuring Peace in the Pacific" highlights these issues and calls for new approaches to data collection and prioritization of relevant indicators, stressing the importance of long-term, sustained efforts and adequate funding for effective advocacy and governance. 

Andy Ouedraogo, Cooperation Canada (Canada) 

Canada's strategies for implementing SDG 16 include adopting a roadmap with 121 measures to better integrate and respect indigenous rights, the 50-30 rule for gender parity and diverse representation, and a robust data-driven approach for SDG reporting through Statistics Canada. While efforts have been made to involve civil society in SDG implementation, challenges remain, such as declining engagement and the need for improved funding and structured mechanisms to ensure ongoing, meaningful participation.