SDG 16 highlights the need for peaceful societies, access to justice and effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. Its realization is essential for achieving all SDGs, fulfilling the aim of leaving no one behind and enabling the protection and promotion of all human rights. Since 2015, one-third of the targets globally showed 'fair' progress, while one-quarter 'stagnated or regressed'. Overall progress on SDG 16 in Asia-Pacific remains alarmingly slow, and not the most significant or impactful. Globally, more than 40 per cent of the targets lack sufficient follow-up data. SDG 16 data remain particularly limited in the Asia-Pacific region, with 58 countries and territories lacking data on six indicators.