SDG Counting: Organization of the SDGs

In order to understand how to count the SDGs, not only do we need to understand the terms that are used to describe the goals, but also the United Nations organizations that are involved in counting and measuring progress on the SDGs.

United Nations of Departments of Economic and Social Affairs

https://www.un.org/development/desa/en/

  • “The Secretariat entity responsible for the development pillar of the United Nations.”
  • The department of the UN that oversees everything related to development.
  • Includes United Nations Economic and Social Council

United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

https://www.un.org/ecosoc/en/

  • The UN’s central branch for debate and thinking about the 3 areas of sustainable development: Economic, Social, and Environmental
  • Oversees the UN Statistical Commission, annual meetings of the High Level Political Forum, etc…
  • Elects the members of the UN Statistical Commission

UN Statistical Commission

http://unstats.un.org/unsd/statcom

  • “The apex entity of the global statistical system.”
  • Underneath the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs

Main Functions are:

  • The collection, processing and dissemination of statistical information;
  • The standardization of statistical methods, classifications and definitions;
  • The technical cooperation program; and
  • The coordination of international statistical programs and activities.

The Inter-Agency Expert Group on the Sustainable Development Goal Indicators

http://unstats.un.org/sdgs/iaeg-sdgs/

  • Inter-Agency Expert Group on the SDG Indicators (made up of Member States)
  • Will provide the proposed indicator framework to be considered by the Statistical Commission

High Level Group for Partnership, Coordination and Capacity Building for post-2015 monitoring

http://unstats.un.org/sdgs/hlg/

  • HLG
  • Aims to establish a global partnership for sustainable development data- mostly deals with the “implementation” side of the Global Indicator framework

High Level Political Forum

https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/hlpf

  • HLPF
  • “central UN platform for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”
  • Is the main UN Forum for the SDGs and post-2015 agenda
  • Is expected to “steer and review” the implementation of the 2030 Agenda (this includes creation of indicator framework, etc…)

Stakeholders

https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/majorgroups

  • Those outside the government who take a large role in sustainable development at the local level (local communities, volunteer groups and foundations, Major Groups of Women, Children and Youth, Indigenous Peoples, Local Authorities, etc..)