ROME, APRIL 21 – “Good governance shapes and seals the social pact between people and institutions, an essential step to create an environment where the justice, rule of law, human rights can thrive”, the Italian Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Marina Sereni, said today, opening the third Conference on Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG16) in Rome.
The event “People-Centred Governance in a Post-Pandemic World”, was co-organised by the Directorate General for Development Cooperation with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN/DESA) and the International Development Law Organisation (IDLO), and was attended by representatives of governments, international organizations and civil society, including Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Abdulla Shahid, President of the United National General Assembly. Cindy McCain, the US Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Rome, addressed the event on opening day.
SDG 16 aims to promote peaceful, inclusive societies, ensure fair access to justice, and encourage public institutions to be effective, responsible and inclusive in their actions.
“A fair, just and sustainable post-pandemic recovery requires full trust in public institutions at all levels, and also implies the need to do everything possible to fight gender inequality: women and girls are still left behind, they have fewer opportunities to enjoy their rights and are often silenced and denied their basic right of access to justice. We can only be stronger and more resilient to future challenges if we renew the social contract at global level and build back trust between people and the state everywhere”, said Sereni.
The Deputy Minister met Maria Francesca Spatolisano, the Assistant Secretary-General at UN/DESA, attending the Rome event in person. The funding of sustainable development and the socioeconomic empowerment of young people were the focus of the talks during which Sereni recalled the strong commitment by Italy to support the UN/DESA with 17 million Euros as a voluntary contribution this year. (@OnuItalia)
