Statistical Commission adopts decision on indicators for 2030 Agenda

The Statistical Commission adopted Decision 1: Data and indicators for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (Item 3a) on the Global indicator framework for the Goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This is in line with its procedures by which it mainly adopts decisions rather than resolutions. 

In the decision, the Commission expressed its appreciation to the IAEG-SDGs and supported its report, commending the Group for its “country-led, open, inclusive and transparent process”. The IAEG-SDGs is asked to continue its work with its terms of reference as included in annex 1 of the report. The proposed global indicator framework, as set out in annex 4, is “a practical starting point”.

The Group should take into account the specific proposals for refinements of indicators made during the discussion and provide its proposals and a plan for regular reviews of the indicator framework to the 48^th session of the Commission, to which it should report back on plans for developing tier III indicators. The Commission emphasized that the indicators are for global follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development “and are not necessarily applicable to all national contexts”. Furthermore national, sub-national and regional indicators will be developed at national and regional levels, with an emphasis on national ownership as being “key to achieving sustainable development”, with voluntary and country-led national reviews that “will take into account different national realities, capacities and levels of development and will respect policy space and priorities”. It also agreed to the establishment of a tier system to be discussed at the 3^rd meeting of the IAEG-SDGs, as well as the proposed work plan for the coming year.

The Commission recognized that the indicator framework will present a challenge in many countries and that the national statistical capacities will need to be strengthened, particularly in African, least developed, land-locked and small island developing countries, as well as other countries in special situations. This will require coordination between the IAEG-SDGs and the High-level Group for Partnership, Coordination and Capacity-Building for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (HLG).

There was agreement that the “compilation of global indicators will be based to the greatest extent possible on comparable and standardized national official statistics”. Coordination between national statistical systems and international organizations is also important. It was agreed that “improving data disaggregation is fundamental for the full implementation of the indicator framework and to fully reflect the principles of the 2030 agenda”. In this regard a working group will be established to work on data disaggregation.

It should be noted that the terms of reference include the involvement of civil society (para 4). Given the comments that were made on the indicator framework by delegates during the discussions on this agenda item, it is most likely that there will be further discussions when the report of the Commission is considered by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

A further decision was taken on the High-level Group for Partnership, Coordination and Capacity-Building for statistics for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Note: We will post, or link to, the final version of the resolution as soon as it is available.