Fifth session of IAEG-SDGs – update on decisions of 48th session of the UN Statistical Commission (2)

The 48th session of the UNSC agreed the revised global indicator framework, including the refinements of several of the indicators. The global indicator framework is for Global follow-up and review. Alternative or complementary indicators will be developed at the regional, national and sub-national levels.

The UNSC agreed the proposed plan for annual refinements (very minor changes, correction on terms used in it, etc) of indicators. These refinements will be initiated by members of the Expert Group and will address:

• Specifying or correcting a unit of measurement
• Clarification of terms used in the indicator
• Spelling or other editorial changes
• Any other minor issues that do not substantively change the meaning of the indicator

Two comprehensive reviews will be presented to the UNSC in 2020 and 2025. These could include the addition, deletion, refinement or adjustment of indicators on the basis of:

• Indicator does not map well to the target
• Additional indicator(s) is/are needed to cover all aspects of the target
• New data sources are available
• Methodological development of tier III indicator has stalled or has not produced expected results
• Indicator is not measuring progress towards meeting the target

The UNSC agreed that the plan for possible additional indicators should be part of the comprehensive review and that it should be mindful of the potential additional reporting on countries.

The plans for Tier III indicators were supported with the UNSC stressing the need for a continuous review of methodologies ad tier reclassification. As agreed, the first review of Tier III took place at this meeting. A second review will take place in the last quarter of 2017. In 2017, a review process for tier reclassification will be held once a year again at the last quarter meeting, based on information provided by the Agencies (results of initiatives in work plans, international standards and methodologies, metadata and data).

The UNSC also agreed the revised terms of reference, including a mechanism for the rotation of membership and chairmanship and the work needed to be accelerated for Tier III indicators. It made recommendations for increased capacity building and welcomed the work stream on data disaggregation. Custodial agencies are requested to provide a list of national agencies providing the data to the international system and to share data collection calendars. National data should be used by the custodial agencies and adjustments/estimates of country data should be undertaken in full consultation with countries and through fully transparent mechanisms. The IAEG-SDGs is requested to develop guidelines on the data flows. Support was expressed for the UNSD country data lab project, in which national and international data are presented side by side and the proposed IAEG-SDGs work programme was agreed.