In 2015, Heads of State and Government and High representatives affirmed that “On behalf of the peoples we serve, we have adopted a historic decision on a comprehensive, far-reaching and people-centred set of universal and transformative Goals and targets”.  The Voluntary National Reviews are part of the national reflection on integration and progress in achieving Sustainable Developments Goals.

The 2023 Voluntary National Reviews through the lens of Peaceful, Just and Strong  Institutions is an analytical report designed to respond to the pivotal questions on the uptake and integration of SDG 16 in national priorities. Are the targets being integrated into the national priorities? Is the process inclusive? What are the existing gaps? Achieving SDG 16 is only possible through the efforts of all member states and stakeholders towards a common vision, more peace, prosperity, partnerships, better investment in the population, and protection of our planet.

Since 2016, when 22 countries presented VNRs, there has been an increase in the number of reports, and there has also been an increase in the coverage of SDG 16 on Peaceful, Just, and Strong Institutions. In 2023, 39 countries presented their reviews. The present report reviews the VNRs presented in 2023 following similar criteria as in previous reports, which includes an overview of stakeholder engagement in developing VNRs, the coverage of SDG 16 in the reports, interlinkages with other goals, and SDG data.