Data for Now Initiative: Strengthening the measurement of SDG 6 in Paraguay

October 30, 2020

“Within the framework of the Data for Now initiative, Cepei, as Coordinator of activities in Latin America, together with the General Directorate of Statistics, Surveys and Censuses, has carried out a series of activities in favor of strengthening technical and regulatory capacities and organizational aspects of the water information system in Paraguay, such as multi-stakeholder working groups, peer-to-peer exchanges with Mexico and the Dominican Republic, and governance and indicators workshops, as well as a diagnosis of the availability of data, sources and structure of the water sector in the country”.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development establishes a transformative guide towards economic, social, and environmental sustainability for the Member States that signed up the agreement in 2015 (CEPAL, 2018). The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that are part of the Agenda outline the way forward for the next 10 years to promote prosperity, natural environment conservation, and eradication of poverty in all countries. They are a tool to measure the progress of countries and a means to formulate public policies focused on the most vulnerable groups in an inclusive and distributive manner to achieve sustainable development.

When analyzing the data and information available to measure the SDGs, some challenges are identified: Outdated data, and the lack of inclusion of a significant portion of the most vulnerable population. This scenario makes it difficult to know exactly whether public policies are having an impact on the achievement of the SDGs.

This document presents the challenges that Paraguay faces in measuring SDG 6, as it becomes evident that institutional disarticulation prevails. It also includes a series of suggestions to advance towards the consolidation of the country’s water information system.

Principales hallazgos

An evident challenge for the Paraguayan water information system is the lack of updated data which prevents the generation of accurate statistics for decision-making related to SDG 6.

Over time awareness has been generated among the actors involved and interested in the measurement of SDG 6. This has increased support towards producing relevant data.

The generation of data obtained as a result of the support of different actors will allow planning and executing effectively, and giving way to a sustainable hydraulic future for Paraguay.

Main Findings

An evident challenge for the Paraguayan water information system is the lack of updated data which prevents the generation of accurate statistics for decision-making related to SDG 6.

Over time awareness has been generated among the actors involved and interested in the measurement of SDG 6. This has increased support towards producing relevant data.

The generation of data obtained as a result of the support of different actors will allow planning and executing effectively, and giving way to a sustainable hydraulic future for Paraguay.

About the author

Cesar Darío Pastore Britos

Economist (National University of Asunción), with a Master’s Degree in Management and Public Policies (University of Chile – Department of Industrial Engineering) and a Development Economics Diploma (International Development Center of Japan).

Acerca del autor

Cesar Darío Pastore Britos

Economist (National University of Asunción), with a Master’s Degree in Management and Public Policies (University of Chile – Department of Industrial Engineering) and a Development Economics Diploma (International Development Center of Japan).

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