UN Statistics Division issues IAEG-SDGs draft main conclusions for meeting, 1-2 June 2015

Following the first meeting of the Inter-agency and Expert Group on the Sustainable Development Goal Indicators (IAEG-SDGs), the UN Statistics Division (UNSD), as its Secretariat, has issued the draft version of the main conclusions of the meeting, which took place on 1-2 June 2015 (See: Meeting of the UN Statistical Commission Inter-Agency and Expert Group on Sustainable Development Goals, 1-2 June 2015. They were circulated to members of the group for their review on 5 June 2015.

In the draft conclusions, the IAEG-SDGs agreed that global indicators should be limited in number, while including multi-purpose indicators that address several targets at the same time. Some targets might require multiple indicators, and the need to address the issue of disaggregation systematically and “to leave no one behind” is recognized.

On its working methods, participants stressed that IAEG-SDGs members should reach out to the countries in their respective regions and sub-regions. They will also consider contributions by observers, inviting the regional commissions and regional and international agencies to contribute their expertise during its consultations. They will also ensure the involvement of Major Groups and other stakeholders in indicator development “through an appropriate channel of consultations.” The IAEG-SDGs agreed on the need to issue invitations sufficiently in advance of the next meeting to enable technical experts from all member countries to attend. Two discussion streams will be established, one on conceptual frameworks and indicator concepts and definitions, and the other to identify interlinkages among indicators across goals and targets. Members will be invited to express interest in leading the work of the two discussion streams.

The tentative dates of the next meeting are 26-28 October 2015 with the global indicator framework being finalized by the end of November, for submission to the 47th session of the UN Statistical Commission in March 2016.

The Group requested the Secretariat to carry out the following tasks, to: 

• provide explanations of the contents and rationale of the lists of indicators, and how the lists considered the assessment of preliminary and indicative indicators conducted in February/March 2015; 
• provide a tentative timeline and work plan by which the discussion streams will conclude their work and including further consultations on the first compilation of possible indicators for a global indicator framework, in time to circulate an updated version at least four weeks ahead of the second meeting of the IAEG-SDGs; and 
• set-up an electronic collaboration platform for the Group's work, ensuring the opportunity of equal participation of all members.

Click here for the draft conclusions.