Statement by the Director-General, Ms. Jan Beagle
17 June 2026
United Nations Headquarters, New York
Ambassador Marrapodi,
ASG Sandkjær,
Distinguished delegates,
As we bring this year’s Conference to a close, I would like to thank all participants for the energy, insight, and spirit of cooperation that you have brought to today’s discussions.
I am especially grateful to our co-organizers — the Government of Italy and UN DESA — for their continued partnership and leadership in advancing this important platform for dialogue and action on SDG 16.
Ambassador Marrapodi, ASG Sandkjær, it is a pleasure to work with you and your teams.
Special thanks also to my IDLO team in New York and Rome.
We heard throughout the day that progress towards the 2030 Agenda remains under significant pressure.
But we also heard a clear and hopeful message: that investing in peace, justice, and strong institutions can deliver practical solutions and tangible results, and SDG 16 is central to changing the trajectory on the 2030 Agenda. It is a multiplier and it is transformational.
But we need action, and results.
As I said this morning: “Results are the most powerful currency of trust.”
Rebuilding trust and accelerating progress requires a focus on real improvements in the lives of the people and communities that we serve.
We have heard some great examples of action today.
We have seen the importance of empowering and investing in women and young people.
And the power of inclusive, and multistakeholder partnerships across governments, civil society, and international organizations.
And that action must be evidence-based, people-centred and grounded in human rights.
Civil society has been a key part of this conference since 2019, bringing fresh thinking and enthusiasm.
We thank them for their great partnership in global and regional forums, and especially in programme countries.
Your 2026 Declaration makes a timely call to “Take a Stand for SDG 16.” We stand with you.
IDLO strongly believes that the rule of law is one of our biggest assets in this shared endeavour. Thank you ASG Sandkjær for emphasising this.
The discussions today have demonstrated that while the challenges are immense, there is also deep expertise, innovation, and commitment in the coalition for SDG 16.
This Conference has always been a space for linking policy to action, and action to results.
And we must double down on that focus. As Ambassador Marrapodi has emphasised, time is short and the need for action is urgent.
The road to restoring trust does not begin in New York or Geneva, it begins in communities, courtrooms, and customary and informal mechanisms in all parts of the world.
We must nurture new champions for SDG 16 by making it practical and visible in those spaces.
We must continue to make the case for increased political commitment, and financial investment, in SDG 16, not just to the people in this room, but across all multilateral and national forums.
At IDLO, we remain committed to working with all of you, and our partners around the world, to ensure that peace, justice, and strong institutions remain at the centre of efforts to accelerate progress on the 2030 Agenda, and beyond, and to build a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future for all – leaving no one behind.