Key Roundtable on Enhancing SDG Data Collection and Reporting

Worldwide, access to timely and high-quality disaggregated data is essential for sustainable development. It can multiply the efficiency and effectiveness of domestic and development spending, generating a “data dividend” to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

The 2023 Global Sustainable Development Report has highlighted the remarkable advancements in data availability for SDG indicators and proactive measures taken by the data and statistical community, showcasing the progress made over time. It has also underscored the vital role of investing in data for accelerating SDG progress. At the same time, the global report acknowledged significant gaps in the geographic coverage, timeliness and disaggregation of Goals indicators globally.  

In Bahrain, the United Nations Country Team has been working with the Government to identify the resources and capacities needed to respond to data demands. As part of this joint effort, the UNCT participated on 24 August in a key roundtable on enhancing SDG Data Collection and Reporting, organized by Bahrain’s Ministry of Sustainable Development (MoS) under the guidance and umbrella of the National Taskforce for Population and Information.

The roundtable also registered the participation of the Information and e-Government Authority, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representatives from the working group in charge of following up on implementing the proposed plan for updating the SDG Indicators. 

“The roundtable meeting comes very timely to follow up on the second Voluntary National Review successfully presented by the Government of Bahrain at the High-Level Political Forum in July 2023”, said the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bahrain, Mr Khaled El Mekwad.  

“Data disaggregation by age, socioeconomic status, gender, disability status, ethnicity and geography, among others, is a vital element to fulfil the pledge by the Member States to leave no one behind and to reach the furthest behind first”, Mr El Mekwad said. 

Bahrain prepares for the global SDG Summit in September and develops its national commitments to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.  

“The United Nations commends Bahrain’s decision in identifying “strengthening data quality and availability for SDGs monitoring” as one of the priority areas for national commitments to be presented at the SDG Summit”, said Mr El Mekwad. 

“The UN Country Team in Bahrain stands ready to share its data tools and methodologies, as well as to mobilize the necessary expertise across the whole UN development system in support of the Government’s efforts to strengthen data for SDGs further and consolidate the capacity of the statistical system in the Kingdom of Bahrain.”  

The Minister of Sustainable Development, Her Excellency Noor bint Ali AlKhulaif, affirmed Bahrain’s commitment to support the efforts of the international community towards implementing the 2030 Agenda and achieving the SDGs. 

The Minister stressed the importance of strengthening mechanisms for the exchange of data and information and national statistical capacities to ensure that accurate, relevant and timely SDG-related data are collected and monitored and reflect the progress made toward achieving the SDGs.