IAEG-SDGs sets work plan for finalizing indicators

Monday

Nov022015

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Monday, November 2, 2015 at 2:34PM

Current status: 224 indicators proposed for #SDGs, of which 159 are mostly agreed and 65 that need further discussion (bit.ly/1LGDdkm)

The second meeting of the Inter-Agency and Expert Group on the Sustainable Development Goal Indicators (IAEG-SDGs) decided on a work plan for finalizing its report to the 47th UN Statistical Commission (UNSC) in March 2016. The plan includes a three-day comment period on the report.

At its second meeting, convened in Bangkok, Thailand from 26-28 October 2015, the Group reviewed the proposed list of indicators that had been developed during the previous months. They also decided on a work plan and the next steps for finalizing the indicators. Only global indicators were discussed during the meeting.

John Pullinger, UNSC Chair, referred to the difficulties in coming to agreement on indicators for monitoring such a broad agenda. He urged delegates to distinguish between those issues that can be resolved immediately, and those that will require more work. Furthermore, he suggested that the Group clearly outline a research agenda specifying how, when and by whom further methodological work will be done, in order to obtain the necessary political support and financing for investment in national statistical systems. He clarified that, based on the IAEG-SDGs' work, the UNSC will send its technical recommendations to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in the form of a global indicator list, together with a technical note explaining in detail the process and criteria applied in reaching the recommended indicators.

Following Italy’s resignation as one of the co-chairs, Mexico (Enrique Ordaz) was elected as co-chair and Germany took Italy’s place as part of the Western Europe and Others Group (WEOG).

Overview of the process and mandates of the IAEG-SDGs

As explained in the previous posting (See: IAEG meeting begins in Bangkok to discuss indicators for SDGs – new documents available) the following was the classification of indicators for this meeting:

Green, indicators that the expert group is ready to accept as part of the list. Very limited concerns (ie less than 25%)
Yellow, with some concerns or multiple proposals of modifications. The goal of the meeting was to reclassify these indicators to green or gray (115)
Gray, with many different proposals for modifications. It was therefore impossible to make only one proposal to put forward.

Over the three-day meeting, the Group reviewed the indicators for each of the SDGs' 169 targets. Summing up at the end of the meeting, Co-Chair Lisa Bersales (Philippines) reported that the IAEG-SDGs had arrived at a listing of 159 green and 65 gray indicators. The Group will focus next on finalizing the green indicators, and there will be a three-day window for observers, including UN Member States that are not members of the IAEG-SDGs, international agencies and other stakeholders, to provide input through an online mechanism. The timing of this three-day window and the criteria for observer inputs has yet to be announced. She also said that, while all proposed indicators must be submitted to the UNSC in March 2016, the IAEG-SDGs may introduce some caveats, including the need for further time to develop the gray indicators.

Calendar for next steps of work of IAEG-SDGs

Before the end of the meeting, IAEG-SDGs members met in a closed session to finalize the work plan and next steps:

29 Oct – 20 Nov: green indicators and data disaggregation

30 Nov – 7 Dec: circulation of draft report among IAEG-SDG members

1 Dec – 15 Feb: grey indicators

7 – 16 Dec: report for the Statistical Commission finalized for submission

8 Dec: some goal 13 climate change indicators (currently all grey) will be updated based on outcome of 21^st session of the Conference of Parties (COP 21) to the UN Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Paris France.

Mid-Jan 2016: IAEG-SDGs co-chairs will participate in meeting of the High Level Group (HLG) for Partnership, Coordination and Capacity-Building for post-2015 monitoring.

Mar 2016: 3rd meeting of the IAEG will take place following the 47^th session of the Statistical Commission.

Indicator disaggregation

Bersales also reported that the IAEG-SDGs had agreed that SDG indicators should be disaggregated, where relevant, by income, gender, age, ethnicity, migration status, disability, geographic location or other characteristics, in accordance with the fundamental principles of official statistics.

In addressing the meeting, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said data disaggregation is also in accordance with international human rights law, and suggested the Group's final report reflect this in the chapeau. She highlighted that States are already obliged to collect disaggregated data, in order to detect where discrimination is occurring, and that SDG 17 provides for capacity building. She cautioned against picking and choosing which population groups are worthy of attention, and noted that target 10.2 under the SDG on addressing inequality only mentions disaggregation by age and sex, falling “far behind” the overall ambition of the target.

Many IAEG-SDGs members expressed their appreciation for the Co-Chairs' steering of what had been a difficult process. Several regional groups and UN agencies expressed concern at having only a three-day window for providing input. Bersales clarified that following the closure of the window, the IAEG-SDGs will follow up on areas where clarity is lacking, and where specific input from the technical agencies is needed.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) stated that 30-40% of the "green" indicators still require further work, and that further indicators should also be generated. He stressed the SDGs should not interfere with developing countries' priorities, or override their national statistical development plans.

Lenni Montiel, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), in his closing remarks, emphasized that IAEG-SDGs members represent their governments, rather than working in an individual capacity. He encouraged everyone to have patience with the process, and thanked them for their commitment.

Indicators related to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights in the context of targets 3.7 and 5.6

At the end of the morning session on the first day, the representative of the Holy See made a strong statement which expressed concern about focusing the discussions on the yellow indicators and not having the possibility to discuss the green ones. He was referring specifically to the indicators under target 5.6.

The representative from Ecuador supported the position of the Holy See, saying that they were against 5.6.1 and asked that countries that are not members of the IAEG-SDGs be included in the electronic consultation. Their specific concern was that while they agree on the methodology proposed by UNFPA, the phrasing of reproductive decision could be construed as meaning abortion. The Holy See’s concern related to 5.6.2 Proportion of countries with laws and regulations that guarantee all women and adolescents access to sexual and reproductive health services, information and education because for them reproductive health services means abortion even when it is not legal.

On the second day, UNFPA suggested an additional indicator in the gray area under Target 3.7 on the availability of a package of reproductive health services in primary health care facilities. Following an objection that it might include abortion services from the Holy See, it was referred to the closed session of the IAEG on the third morning and was not accepted. It cannot therefore go forward.

Discussions on other indicators for Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Target 3.3. By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.

Proposed Indicator 3.3.1: Number of new HIV infections per 1,000 susceptible population (by age, sex, and key populations)

It was decided to move to color green, replacing ‘susceptible’ to ‘uninfected’

Target 3.4. By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well being.

Proposed Indicator 3.4.1: Probability of dying of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease between ages 30 and 70

It was decided to move to green including mental health indicator.

Target 3.5. Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol

Proposed indicator 3.5.1: Coverage of treatment interventions (pharmacological, psychosocial and rehabilitation and aftercare services) for substance use disorders

It was decided to keep the indicator and add alcohol abuse.

Target 3.8. Target 3.8 Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.

Proposed Indicator 3.8.2: Fraction of the population protected against catastrophic/impoverishing out-of pocket health expenditure

It was decided that 3.8.1 and 3.8.2should be grey and discussed together

Target 3.9. By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.

Proposed indicator 3.9.1: Population in urban areas exposed to outdoor air pollution levels above WHO guideline values

It was decided to move it to grey

Target 3.b. Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and non-communicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries, provide access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines, in accordance with the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health, which affirms the right of developing countries to use to the full the provisions in the Agreement on Trade-Related

Proposed indicator 3.b.1: Proportion of population with access to affordable essential medicines on a sustainable basis

It was decided that this additional indicator be green

Other suggested additional indicators:

Target 3.1 suggestion to consider indicator on % of pregnant women with 4 prenatal care visits (per WHO recommended visits); antenatal coverage within 2 days

It was agreed that it considered as a regional indicator as needed in some regions including Africa

Target 3.2: Under 5 mortality rate - consider indicator on stillbirth rates and reach and sustain 90% national coverage and 80% in every district with all vaccines in national programmes

Co-Chair stated that based on earlier decision, it should be included in regional monitoring mechanism and not in global indicators.

Target 3.3 Proposed addition of “Number of people requiring interventions against neglected tropical diseases”

It was decided to move to green

3.a.1: Strengthen the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in all countries, as appropriate

It was decided not to add additional indicator

3.7 Special Intervention: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes.

It was decided not to add to grey (See discussion above)