The year 2024 has marked significant progress in the field of statistics for SDGs. At the global level, the Inter-agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators (IAEG-SDGs) conducted the final comprehensive review of the SDG Indicator framework before 2030. The proposal of the IAEG-SDGs40 to bring the total number of indicators from 231 to 234 will be presented for discussion at the UN Statistical Commission in March 2025.
40 Report of the Inter-Agency and Expert Group on Sustainable Development Goal Indicators (E/CN.3/2025/6).
At UNECE, the Steering Group on Statistics for SDGs (SG on SDGs) has concentrated efforts on three major areas: national availability of SDG indicators, compiling resources provided by countries and international organizations to support the production of statistics for SDGs, and drawing lessons learned from almost a decade of experience in implementing and monitoring SDG indicators.
Indicator availability remains a significant challenge in the follow-up and evaluation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. While much of the discussion on data availability focuses on what is available in global SDG database—such as on UNECE database41 – it is equally crucial to examine what data is available within countries.
Statistics serve not only as a means of tracking progress toward the SDG targets, but also as a foundation for evidence-based policymaking. It is vital to recognize that SDG indicators represent statistics not just on SDGs, but also for SDGs. As the SDGs are implemented nationally, national SDG data becomes cornerstone of how official statistics contribute to the success of the 2030 agenda. Understanding the scope of data availability at the national level is essential—it directly impacts how well-equipped national policymakers are to implement the SDGs and drive sustainable development.
Importantly, what is available nationally and what appears in global SDG databases can often differ significantly. Assessing national SDG data availability is far from straightforward, due to the need to balance international comparability and relevance on the national level, as well as the role of international organizations as producers of official statistics. To address these complexities, the SG on SDGs has published a Guidance on Assessing and Conceptualizing SDG Indicator Availability.42 This document outlines key concepts relevant to this process and offers practical advice on how to evaluate national indicator availability effectively.
42 UNECE (2024). Guidance on assessing and conceptualizing SDG indicator availability. Addendum to the road map on statistics for sustainable development goals – second edition. Geneva: United Nations.
In addition, the SG on SDGs introduced a self-assessment tool for SDG indicator availability.43 This versatile tool accommodates both basic and highly in-depth availability assessments, making it a valuable resource for NSOs. Its full potential can be realized when it is used as a project management tool, enabling NSOs to coordinate the national production of SDG statistics across diverse public sector bodies and engage with custodian agencies. By integrating the self-assessment tool into project management, NSOs can transform what would otherwise be a daunting task—conducting detailed national indicator availability assessments—into a streamlined by-product of their coordination efforts. This innovation simplifies a complex undertaking, helping countries better align their national data with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
43 2024 Self-Assessment Tool for SDG Indicator Availability; Revision 1
2024 also marked a complete revision of the UNECE Knowledge Hub on SDGs.44 In addition to a visual overhaul, the Knowledge Hub now features 47 new or updated case studies45 for the UNECE Road Map on Statistics for SDGs46 (the 2022 flagship publication by the SG on SDGs), expanded resources on the national implementation47 of key road map recommendations (including links to national SDG data platforms and national SDG indicator sets), a collection of guidelines and tools48 produced by UNECE and our partners, and summaries of the meetings of the Task Team on Communication of the SG on SDGs (the Communication Fortnights49), which became a community of practice on SDG communication with members from the UNECE region and beyond.
45 Statistics for SDGs – Country Resources
46 Road Map on Statistics for Sustainable Development Goals – Second Edition
47 Progress in implementing Road Map recommendations
48 Statistics for SDGs – Guidelines and Tools
49 Statistics for SDGs – Communication
After nearly a decade of supporting countries in producing SDG indicators, the SG on SDGs has embarked on a comprehensive reflection, drawing insights from challenges and successes encountered so far.
Key milestones in the reflection process include:
Forty-one UNECE countries contributed valuable feedback through a questionnaire, sharing challenges and lessons learned.
Discussions were held at the 2024 UNECE Workshop on Statistics for SDGs50 and the 8th UNECE Expert Meeting on Statistics for SDGs.51
50 8th Expert Meeting on Statistics for Sustainable Development Goals & 2024 Workshop on Statistics for SDGs
51 Ibid.
These efforts culminated in an in-depth review paper “Halfway to 2030 – Lessons learned from providing Statistics for SDGs”52 prepared by a Task Team led by Statistics Poland.
52 https://unece.org/sites/default/files/2025-02/02%20SDG%20Review_0.pdf
As we approach 2030, discussions on a potential post-2030 policy agenda are underway. However, one thing is clear: we must ensure the continuity of robust statistical frameworks to track progress and drive meaningful action beyond 2030. While these discussions will be shaped at the global level, the SG on SDGs and the Conference of European Statisticians are committed in advocating for:
A continued strong mandate for NSOs to maintain their pivotal role in data production
The development of measurable policy targets to guide future progress
Early identification of potential data sources
The importance of leveraging and formalizing relationships with thematic indicator frameworks and other important sets of indicators, including those that go beyond GDP.
A clear understanding of the relationship between statistics and other elements of the follow-up and review process, such as the Voluntary National Reviews of a possible post 2030 policy agenda.
As we navigate the next decade, it will be crucial to ensure that our statistical systems remain robust, adaptable and capable of supporting future global agendas.
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Palais des Nations, Geneva
