World Data Forum: first plenary session, 16 January 2017

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development offers a new lens for looking at the world and the challenges that we are facing. Leaving no one behind provides a commitment that signals a paradigm shift in the development agenda.

The first plenary session provided an opportunity for two panel sessions on harnessing the power of data for sustainable development. the first laid the ground work on the theme, including the changing data landscape and the second looked at specific objectives to get out of Forum. Presentations included the following:

Panel 1

Deputy Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Wu Hongbo, began by thanking Statistics SA and those representing the national statistics systems. He also gave specific thanks to the Government of China, while also appreciating numerous partners and donors. Following the proposal of the Secretary-General’s Independent Group for a World Data Forum, to be held every two years, the UN Statistical Division (UNSD) was asked to develop a roadmap under the leadership of the High-level Group on Partnership, Coordination and Capacity-Building for statistics for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This has resulted in the Global Action Plan for Sustainable Development which will be launched at the end of the Forum.

Mr Wu noted that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development poses enormous challenges for global statistical community. National Statistical Offices (NSOs) have a key role to play as the core of national information systems. High quality statistics are required that are in line with international statistics. It will, however, be necessary to strengthen national capacities in data collection etc. and partnerships will need to created and strengthened. Issues exist, furthermore, with respect to open data and data privacy.

Michael Gerber, Ambassador and Special Envoy of Switzerland, referred to the adoption of the 2030 Agenda as an unprecedented consensus. Nevertheless, a new lens alone was not enough, what is now required is the right means to measure progress with a strong focus on follow-up and review. The High-level Political Forum (HLPF) presents a stage for demonstrating exchange. He noted, however, that available data is not good enough to advance sustainable development for all. Looking at the 2030 Agenda means taking a holistic approach. It reflects reality and while challenges us to find new ways of working together. It is vital for policy makers to understand synergies, while sound data will increase policy coherence.

Through the lens of 2030 Agenda, we can see the whole world. Monitoring progress involves all actors including Governments and civil society. There is, however, a potential risk for coordination failure -- coordination itself is vital at all levels. The 2030 Agenda will ensure that ‘no one is left behind’, posing strong challenge for the statistics community. SDGs require more active, more nuanced and more collaborative inputs, while narrowing gaps that are crucial to change investment into reality. It will be necessary to find ways to inform integrated policy making and measure progress and statisticians should be involved early in the process for advancing progress. If everyone keeps using the lens, we will see a more sustainable world in 2030.

Ambassador Macharia Kamau, as Special envoy of the President of the UN General Assembly, delivered his message. Over 190 Member States have identified the path for moving forward and are making a strong commitment to the most vulnerable. Growth is good for people, prosperity and the planet, our common home.

A woman facing discrimination cannot wait longer; youth cannot wait any longer; biodiversity cannot wait any longer. Momentum must be generated for a solid goal, but it must come from all of us, including the data world. Timely, accessible and good quality data inform, while a set of indicators is critical for follow-up and review, not least through the HLPF. Citizen empowerment is a prerequisite and there is a need for reporting on successes and challenges.

There are possible complementary actions:

• Harmonize data etc to allow for comparison
• Engage reliable providers of data including companies and civil society
• Address issue of inequalities and the exclusion of marginalized groups – ‘leave no one behind’
• Urgently strengthen cooperation and collaboration
• Build effective global partnership
• Harness data as a global public good

The President of the General Assembly is currently working on a number of key initiatives across each of the development goals, eg Sustainable peace and sustain development conference and Ocean Conference. The challenges that we have before us is as broad as it is deep.

Panel 2

During the second panel, Prof Enrico Giovanni, former co-chair of the UN Secretary’s Independent Expert Advisory Group on the Data Revolution for Sustainable Development, urged participants to increase the pace of collecting and analysing data, as the current pace is not sufficient to address the SDGs. There is a need to recognize that others are doing better in using data, whether it’s changing money or scanning passports. NSOs will have to speed up dramatically in order to make the necessary shifts to contribute fully to the new Agenda. The Director of the UN Statistics Division highlighted the need for rules and principles in the new “National data architecture” to support national-level decision making. The requirements have increased and NSOs should be at centre of the data universe.