The Cape Town Global Action Plan for Sustainable Development Data

We take a deeper dive into the document presented at the first UN World Data Forum last week.

Last week, statisticians and other stakeholders met in Cape Town, South Africa, for the UN’s first World Forum on Sustainable Development Data. The event was also the launch of the Cape Town Global Action Plan for Sustainable Development Data. The document, prepared by the High-level Group for Partnership, Coordination and Capacity-Building for statistics for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (HLG-PCCB) with input from stakeholders from multiple data communities, was presented at the opening and closing of the Forum. The document can be viewed as both a preview and an outcome of the Data Forum; the Global Action Plan was crafted before the Forum to lead discussion and conversation, and will be formally approved in March 2017 at the 48th Session of the UN Statistical Commission. Here are the main points.

Background:

The Global Action Plan was proposed in January 2016, at the 3rd meeting of the HLG, as a successor to the Busan Action Plan for Statistics from 2011. The Plan is intended to provide a “ framework for discussion on, and planning and implementation of statistical capacity building necessary to achieve the scope and intent of the 2030 Agenda.” The Plan is intended to coordinate the many statistical efforts at local, national, and regional levels, as well as leverage and facilitate partnerships for data for the SDGs.

Strategic Areas & Objectives:

The Global Action Plan proposes six strategic areas, each with its own objectives and key actions associated with each area. Find all strategies and objectives with key action at SDG Resources.

• Strategic Area 1: Coordination and strategic leadership on data for sustainable development.
• Strategic Area 2: Innovation and modernization of national statistical systems.
• Strategic Area 3: Strengthening of basic statistical activities and programs, with particular focus on addressing the monitoring needs of the 2030 Agenda.
• Strategic Area 4: Dissemination and use of sustainable development data.
• Strategic Area 5: Multi-stakeholder partnerships for sustainable development data.
• Strategic Area 6: Mobilize resources and coordinate efforts for statistical capacity building.

Next Steps:

The Global Action Plan will be formally accepted at the 48th Session of the UN Statistical Commission, meeting in March 2017. Even before formal acceptance, the plan will guide regional and national statistical organizations to develop their own action plan and road maps for SDG monitoring.