By Smith Nwokocha

SDG 16+ CLUB IN COLLABORATION WITH CIVIL SOCIETY COALITION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT @ PIND OFFICE, PORT HARCOURT.
THEME: “UNDERSTANDING INTERLINKAGES FOR GREATER IMPACTS”.
DATE: 21ST, JUNE, 2022.

Civil Societies in Rivers State were well represented and, in a Session, presented by Mrs. Loretta Ahuokpeme of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Initiative and the Coordinator of the forum.
She emphasized that SDG16+ contains SDGs 16 and all other factors linking to it. Peace, Justice and an inclusive society, among others.
Alternative Conflict Resolution should be considered in resolving conflicts.
Inadequate Political will and concrete commitments are challenges towards achieving the SDGs.
Shrinking Civic Space across the globe is also a limiting the engagement of SDG16+.
Lack of High-Quality, Accessible, Timely and Reliable Disaggregated data hampers the achievement of the SDG16+
Financial Support for SDG16+ is severely lacking.

SDG16+ Targets and Interlinkages:
SDG 16 = Target 1, Target 2, Target 3, Target 4, Target 5, Target 6, Target 7, Target 8, Target 9, and Target 10.
SDG 16 (a): This “Means of Implementation” (MOI) targets for SDG16 includes various ways that Government and Stakeholders can advance SDG 16+ by strengthen institutions, capacities and International Cooperation.
SDG 16 (b): This “Means of Implementation” (MOI) target ensures that SDGs 16 rest on Human Rights-based approach of non-discrimination.
One of the outcomes of the meeting, is that CSOs, have to engage Line Ministries on the linkages for development.
Then, Breakout Session were held to link the SDGs to the targets and after the breakout sessions, the meeting came to a close.