The goal of UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 is to: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. A new report, published this month, explores the potential of digitalization to help create a more just, inclusive and sustainable world.

The SDG 16: Through a Digital Lens report seeks to examine the ways in which the move towards digitalization intersects with the pursuit of peace, justice and strong institutions. It highlights the importance of considering digital enablers, and outlines a vision for ensuring that digital transformation aids, rather than impedes, progress towards SDG 16.

Topics explored in the report include:

• Universal connectivity and the digital divide
• Legal identity
• Illicit financial flows and their digital enablers
• Impacts of online disinformation and misinformation
• Perspectives on conflict in the digital space
• Moving forward (digital social contracts, responsive and people-centred digital governance, other issues)

SDG 16: Through a Digital Lens was prepared by David Andersson for the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute. The report is available in English here: https://unicri.it/sites/default/files/2023-11/SDG%2016%20%20Report_web.pdf.