SDGs: Sereni, Italy’s focus is on justice, peace and inclusion

NEW YORK, JULY 8 – “The COVID-19 pandemic has vividly demonstrated the importance of the three pillars of SDG 16 (justice, peace and inclusion), and their ability to accelerate action on the other Global Goals”, the Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Marina Sereni said in a video-intervention at the UN-sponsored High Level Political Forum for Sustainable Development, sharing the outcomes of the SDG 16 Conference which took place in Rome last May.

“To strengthen our resilience to crises such as Covid-19, every effort must be made to promote peace, effective institutions and justice systems based on respect for people. We must then initiate policies at the national level that fairly guarantee goods and services for all and fight corruption. Finally, we need to rethink an idea of governance that puts SDG16 at the center, innovating policies and institutions, and promoting a whole-of-society approach. This is essential if we are to successfully address complex challenges that the pandemic has exacerbated such as rising inequality, social and economic insecurity, climate change, and the technology gap,” Sereni said.

The Deputy Minister noted that “a peaceful, just and inclusive recovery will only be possible through transparent and accountable institutions that can guarantee the rule of law, good governance, human rights, gender equality and environmental sustainability. A continuous exchange between States, independent authorities, the judiciary, multilateral partners, civil society and all stakeholders is essential for a reconstruction that leaves no one behind. Italy, also in its capacity as President of the G20, is moving to shape its action in this direction.” (@OnuItalia)