Fifth session of IAEG-SDGs held in Ottawa – update on working groups (4)

At an earlier session, the IAEG-SDGs set up three working groups. Reports were given on the work of each group:

SDMX working group

The SDMX working group, which comprises 12 countries (with two vacant slots) and 10 international agencies and is chaired by Colombia, held its first physical meeting in October 2016. It is currently analysing the SDG indicators and breakdowns. In the 3^rd quarter of 2017 it will develop a pilot Data Structure Definition, and hold its second physical meeting. It will begin its pilot data exchange in the 1^st quarter of 2018, revising the pilot structures in light of experience and to comply with the requirements of the Disaggregation Work Stream in the following six months.

Working group on geospatial information

The primary objective of the Working group is to ensure from a statistical and a geographical (geospatial) perspective that the key principle of the 2030 Agenda -- to leave no one behind -- is reflected in the global indicator framework. Its next meeting with be held in Kunming, China 8-20 May 2017. At its second meeting in Mexico in December 2016, 17 of the 22 members of the Group participated and reviewed the global indicators through a ‘geographic location’ lens. There was consensus around a short-list of 15 indicators (4 Tier 1; 3 Tier II; and 8 Tier III) in which geospatial information together with statistical data can contribute directly to the production of the identified indicators and an additional short-list of nine indicators and where geospatial information can significantly support the production of these indicators. Disaggregation of national statistical data, furthermore, is considerably strengthened through the lens of geospatial information, as is acknowledged within the Global Statistical Geospatial Framework. The Group has agreed to form six Task Teams, three of which will address cross-cutting issues. The Group also recognized that they will have to work more closely with Custodial Agencies and their partners going forward.

Interlinkages working group

The Interlinkages working group, co-chaired by Canada and China, was originally composed of 11 members of the IAEG, but had been expanded, adding three from academia, three from international and regional organizations and two from civil society organizations (CSOs). Its first meeting, including its new members, was held in February 2017.

The Group will identify possible interlinkages in the statistics underlying the global SDG indicators; research ways in which these indicators can facilitate monitoring and analysis at all levels; and strategies for starting a discussion as how the statistical system can help bridge policy fields and support a more integrated analysis of the economic, social and environmental developments in SDG monitoring.

It will hold both internal and open consultations to identify interlinkages between the goals and targets and within the indicators included in the global indicator framework; integrated analysis; areas and frameworks for facilitative the monitoring of goals, targets and indicators as being interlinked; and best practices of integrated data collection and its transfer to other countries. The Group will report back to full IAEG in the fall of 2017.