In the framework of the United Nations World Data Forum 2021 (UNWDF), held in Switzerland, Bern, from October 3 to 6, Cepei and the Global Partnership co-organized a session with their partners from the statistical community, to present how countries are working together to use admin data for the SDGs and post-pandemic recovery.
ABOUT THE EVENT
Context and objective
The COVID-19 pandemic revealed a new reality that can be understood through data, which is key to implementing recovery plans aligned to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Administrative records are valuable as they allow countries to monitor the spread of the virus and identify the most vulnerable groups, their needs and prioritize resources.
The session “Discovering opportunities in unusual places: how to leverage administrative data for the SDGs”, held on October 4, 2021, gathered speakers from INE Paraguay, INEC Costa Rica, the Statistical Office of Zanzibar, the Ghana Births and Deaths Registry and the United Nations Statistics Division. The discussion revolved around the importance of administrative data to address the crisis generated by the pandemic, and to support decision making with respect to sustainable development.
SPEAKERS
CEPEI’S CONTRIBUTION
Fredy Rodríguez, Program Officer, Data for Sustainable Development of Cepei, highlighted the significance of multi-stakeholder work for SDGs monitoring and implementation: “We cannot work alone. We have common challenges to address and overcome.”
Key messages
The panelists highlighted the mechanisms that countries have in place to collaborate with each other and leverage administrative data in line with the SDGs. Likewise, the strategies, actions and partnerships that countries have established to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic through the use of administrative records.
Among the topics addressed, the work carried out by National Statistical Offices, such as INE Paraguay and INEC Costa Rica, which, in collaboration with different government agencies, have made efforts to adjust their data collection modalities, created monitoring tools, models and impact indexes and partnerships, among other strategies, to advance in the recovery from COVID-19, was highlighted.
“Paraguay is proposing a statistical goal for the next 10 years. To address the pandemic the country has an inventory of administrative data with complete diagnostics for evidence-based decision-making.” -Iván Ojeda, INE Paraguay
“Administrative data is an opportunity to make better use of data. Costa Rica’s strategy is to take advantage of data production to promote it according to the needs, ensuring the confidentiality of the information.” -Floribel Méndez, INEC Costa Rica
“The use of administrative data reduces costs. Before we depended on surveys, but now we collect data weekly. The information is always available.” -Mayasa Mwinyi, Zanzibar Statistical Office
“Ghana’s experience was to strengthen administrative data from health institutions. Bringing together those who collect large amounts of data with those who play a key role in pandemic recovery.” -Emmanuel Botchway, Ghana Registry of Births and Deaths
“It is good that countries have found solutions to improve the use of administrative data. They have adjusted their legal frameworks to agree on data prioritization and methods to adopt.” -Vibeke Oestreich, UNStats
Stay tuned for more information on the outcomes of this session on Cepei’s social networks.
ORGANIZERS
