The COVID-19 pandemic has clearly shown how interlinked governance and SDG 16-related issues of peace, justice and inclusive institutions are with the rest of the 2030 Agenda – from ensuring effective and inclusive service delivery to enabling equitable access to health and education services, to addressing issues of integrity and corruption in public sector procurement processes, to putting in place safeguards to uphold human rights and the rule of law. As countries adopt COVID-19 response-and-recovery plans, there is an opportunity to envision a recovery that aims for achieving more peaceful and just societies with more inclusive, accountable and responsive institutions.

This joint publication by UNDP and Southern Voice looks at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its implications for a global crisis of governance and its impact on peace, justice and inclusion (SDG16).