Sustaining peace and supporting strong institutions: FAO's role in advancing SDG 16

This April, the UN is spotlighting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions —a goal at the heart of sustainable development.

In an era marked by multiple interlinked crises—resurgent and protracted conflicts, extreme climate events, and social, economic and health emergencies that have given rise to increased hunger, malnutrition, poverty and social disparities—FAO underscores the pivotal role of SDG 16 in achieving food security and advancing sustainable agriculture. Recognizing that sustainable agrifood systems cannot thrive without a focus on prevention, inclusive governance and a risk-informed approach to peace and security, FAO integrates SDG 16 into its global mission to eradicate hunger and build resilient agrifood systems.​

The critical link between peace, conflict and food security

Conflict is one of the main drivers of food crises, along with climate change and economic shocks.

The devastating impact of violence on agrifood systems is clear: In 2024, almost 282 million people faced acute food insecurity and conflict and insecurity were the primary drivers for almost half - 135 million people across 20 countries. Violence disrupts agricultural productivity, displaces farmers, destroys assets, and undermines agrifood systems, markets, and services, leading to higher food prices and food insecurity. Violent conflict is also a primary driver of forced displacement, another factor contributing to heightened food insecurity.

Food insecurity can also exacerbate existing social and political tensions, making conflicts more likely to erupt or escalate. When resources like land, water, and fertile soil are scarce, competition for them can escalate into conflict, especially between different communities or groups, including between displaced people and host communities. 

Therefore, conflict-sensitive interventions and support for conflict prevention and resolution mechanisms are essential for safeguarding agrifood systems and working towards zero hunger. Equally, emergency agriculture, food security and nutrition interventions represent not only humanitarian responses but also strategic investments in peace and stability.​

FAO’s strategic contributions to SDG 16

Anticipatory action and emergency response

Thanks to funds from the Government of Sweden, FAO implemented anticipatory actions in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to mitigate the impact of forecast drought due to El Niño. The project reached some 4580 households- repairing and operationalizing infrastructure for collecting, storing and managing water for agriculture, as well as for animal and human consumption, to safeguard the livelihoods and food security of vulnerable communities.

©FAO/Bethzabeth Azuaje Romero

Anticipatory action and emergency response support SDG 16 by preventing potential conflict and strengthening institutions to uphold peace, justice and responsible governance. FAO contributes through:

Early warning systems and anticipatory action that trigger interventions before crises escalate: Acting ahead of crises means protecting people's lives and livelihoods with benefits that reach far into the future. Disasters are predictable. Thanks to technological advances, early warning information is more accurate and readily available than ever before. FAO’s anticipatory action approach uses risk analysis and forecasts to trigger interventions before a crisis escalates into a humanitarian emergency. This is particularly critical for small-scale farmers, for whom heeding early warning signals can make the difference between a shock and a crisis. This shift from disaster response to anticipation creates a faster, more effective humanitarian system.

Rapid emergency agricultural assistance that enables self-reliance: Protecting livelihoods by providing emergency agricultural assistance from the onset of a crisis enables people to produce food and earn an income. Rapid and efficient response to agricultural threats and emergencies saves lives, promotes recovery and reduces the gap between dependency on food assistance and self-reliance.

Providing evidence: FAO plays a lead role in building the evidence around acute food insecurity levels, analysis of drivers and lasting solutions, including through its role as co-founder of the Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC), co-lead of the Global Food Security Cluster, host of the Integrated Food Security Classification (IPC) global support unit and member of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Task Force on Preventing Famine.

Promoting Peace

FAO’s “Joint action for building resilience in Somalia” project, funded by the Federal Government of Germany, supported internally displaced people in the Gedo region, Somalia. They were given access to government-allocated farming land, as well as agricultural input packages, which included seeds and farm tools, to enable them to produce their own food, obtain better livelihood opportunities and build their resilience.

©FAO/Abdinasir Jama

The organization’s 2018 Corporate Framework to Support Sustainable Peace in the Context of Agenda 2030 integrates peace-building approaches into FAO's policies, guidance, programmes, and partnerships. FAO’s approach is in line with the Secretary-General’s request for the whole UN to regard sustaining peace as an important goal to which their work can contribute, and to integrate that approach into their strategic plans and country support.

FAO contributes to conflict prevention and sustaining peace, by supporting inclusive natural resource management, food security and resilient agricultural livelihoods, to address not only the symptoms but also the root causes of conflict. FAO also works with displaced people and host communities to protect and rebuild their livelihoods, enhance their self-reliance and foster inclusion and social cohesion at the community level.

Strengthening Institutions and Governance

Modernizing governance and institutions was one of the key objectives of the WEPS-NENA project, which assessed the efficiency, productivity, risks and limitations of water use across eight countries in the Near East and North Africa (NENA): Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Iran, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, and Tunisia.

©WEPS-NENA Regional Project

Governance is a central pillar of FAO’s policy support and programmatic interventions across all levels, whether in peace contexts or in emergencies and protracted crises. Transformative agrifood systems require stronger, more transparent and accountable institutions at all levels. They also demand adaptive governance, regulatory frameworks, and investments in human capital. Utilizing tools like the Focus on Governance framework and the Hand-in-Hand Geospatial Platform, FAO provides methodological intelligence, data and analytics to guide policy decisions. This evidence-based approach helps governments anticipate challenges and implement effective policies that strengthen institutions and promote justice.​

From political economy assessments to policy dialogue and capacity development, FAO assists countries in strengthening governance in various agrifood areas, socioeconomic contexts and administrative levels – see examples in Morocco and Indonesia. In emergency contexts and protracted crises, FAO champions a resilience-focused approach that integrates humanitarian assistance, governance reforms, and development interventions with emphasis on feasible governance practices and local ownership. To break the cycle of crisis, the Organization contributes to humanitarian interventions, development efforts, and agricultural support that are interlinked as part of a unified, long-term strategy to empower communities and back self-sustaining recovery (learn more). To promote long-term resilience and participatory efforts, FAO adopts an intersectional approach to address the unique challenges faced by smallholder farmers, youth, Indigenous Peoples, people living in poverty, migrants and the forcibly displaced, among others. In collaboration with partners, FAO supports countries in developing policy and regulatory frameworks, innovative institutional arrangements, and functional rural organizations that empower small-scale producers and vulnerable groups to overcome social, political, and economic barriers.

Looking Ahead

Going forward, FAO is committed to assisting countries in strengthening agrifood systems governance by advocating for and supporting the technical development of community-based approaches, strong regulatory frameworks and inclusive land governance and administration systems. It calls for increased investment in early warning systems and resilience-building measures to prevent conflict, reduce the impact of socio-political and economic shocks and maintain or improve social cohesion. FAO emphasizes the importance of enhancing both formal and informal conflict management mechanisms and promoting localized, conflict-sensitive solutions to natural resource-based tensions. Additionally, it urges greater investment in climate-smart agriculture to mitigate climate-related conflict drivers and foster sustainable livelihoods.