20 March 2015: The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) released an updated draft report on ‘Indicators and a Monitoring Framework for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Launching a data revolution for the SDGs.’ The draft incorporates conclusions and recommendations from a recent UN Statistical Commission (UNSC) meeting and Expert Group Meeting on the indicator framework for the post-2015 development agenda, as well as recommendations from public consultations held in January 2015.

The report proposes 100 global monitoring indicators, arguing that 100 is “the maximum number of global indicators on which National Statistical Offices (NSOs) can report and communicate effectively in a harmonized manner.” These indicators are based on ten principles, including that indicators should be: limited in number; relevant to all countries and people; simple and policy-relevant; consensus-based and in line with international standards; constructed from well-established data sources; disaggregated; and mainly outcome-focused. The report also suggests complementary national indicators for countries interested in expanding national level monitoring.

Next steps include filling gaps in available indicators, harnessing innovative data sources and moving towards annual monitoring, according to the report. It stresses annual monitoring as critical to inform national planning and budget processes, and outlines a schedule for preparing annual reports. The report also recommends, inter alia: thematic consultations to develop and agree on specialist indicators for thematic monitoring; and establishment of a data revolution partnership.

SDSN carried out a public consultation from February to March 2014 on the first draft of the report, and has continued to revise the report based on comments and recommendations, including from the Open Working Group (OWG) on the SDGs, the UN Secretary-General’s synthesis report on the post-2015 development agenda, and the conclusions of the Independent Expert Advisory Group on a Data Revolution for Sustainable Development (IEAG). [Publication: Indicators and a Monitoring Framework for the Sustainable Development Goals: Launching a data revolution for the SDGs] [Executive Summary] [IISD RS Story on Previous Report Draft]