1 June 2016: During a briefing on the theme, ‘Monitoring the Sendai Framework for DRR 2015-2030 and promoting coherence with the SDGs,’ experts discussed ways of ensuring coherence between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicator framework and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), as well as the latest updates on the work on the indicators for the two agendas. The briefing was organized by the Permanent Missions of Finland and Jamaica, in collaboration with the UN Office for DRR (UNISDR) and the UN Statistics Division (UNSD) of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA).

Francesca Perucci, UNSD, reminded participants that the UN Statistical Commission (UNSC), at its 47th session in March 2016, agreed “as a practical starting point” to the proposed SDG global indicator framework, which will be subject to future technical refinement. She explained that the indicators are classified into three tiers: Tier I, where an established methodology exists and data are already widely available; Tier II, where a methodology has been established but for which data are not easily available; and Tier III, where an internationally agreed methodology has not yet been developed.

She indicated that the Inter-agency and Expert Group on the SDG Indicators (IEAG-SDGs), tasked with the refinement and further development of SDG indicators, is currently: reviewing the proposal of the tier system and will come back with comments and suggestions on Tiers I and II; reviewing the revised proposals with detailed information on Tier III; mapping the data flows, as agencies are providing information on reporting mechanisms from countries and IAEG-SDG members are providing information on their reporting to international agencies; setting up the the IAEG-SDG sub-group on data disaggregation and the three working groups under the auspices of the IAEG-SDGs (SDMX, Geospatial information, and interlinkages across SDG goals and targets); establishing criteria for refinements of indicators; and defining plans for reviews of the global indicator framework, to be undertaken possibly in 2020 and 2025, which will also be proposed to the UNSC at its next session.

On ensuring coherence between the SDG indicator framework and the Sendai Framework, Perucci noted efforts towards: the establishment of data reporting mechanisms that ensure consistency in the reporting of indicators for the monitoring of the Sendai Framework and those in the SDG global indicator framework; and ensuring consistency in the data aggregation at the sub-regional and regional levels, analysis and preparation of the storylines.

Andrew Maskrey, Coordinator of the UN Global Assessment Report on DRR, UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), explained that the Sendai Framework for DRR: has seven global targets, four of which are outcome-focused; the outcome targets are objective and measurable, allowing international benchmarking of progress relative to a quantitative baseline 2005-2015; focuses not only on reducing existing risks but also on preventing new risks and strengthening resilience; assesses the reduction of disaster losses relative to the size of a country’s population and economy; and has explicit links to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

He explained that the global indicators for the global targets of the Sendai Framework are subject to the deliberations of Member States in the Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group (OIEWG). The OIEWG is comprised of experts nominated by Member States, to develop a set of possible indicators and terminology to measure global progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework, in coherence with the work of the IAEG-SDGs. He added that the UNISDR recommended the OIEWG the same three-tier system in which the SDGs indicators will be classified.

Maskrey noted that five of the Sendai proposed indicators contribute to measuring four of the SDG targets.

The SDG target 1.5 (By 2030 build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations, and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters) is addressed by the Sendai proposed indicators: ‘Number of deaths, missing persons and persons affected by disaster per 100,000 people;’ ‘Direct disaster economic loss in relation to global gross domestic product (GDP);’ and ‘Number of countries with national and local DRR strategies.’

The SDG target 11.5 (By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global GDP caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations) is addressed by the Sendai proposed indicators: ‘Number of deaths, missing persons and persons affected by disaster per 100,000 people;’ and ‘Direct disaster economic loss in relation to global GDP, including disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services.’

The SDG target 11.b (By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for DRR, holistic disaster risk management at all levels) is addressed by the Sendai proposed indicators: ‘Number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies;’ and ‘Proportion of local governments that adopt and implement local DRR strategies in line with the Sendai Framework for DRR.’

The SDG target 13.1 (Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate related hazards and natural disasters in all countries) is addressed by the Sendai proposed indicators: ‘Number of deaths, missing persons and persons affected by disaster per 100,000 people;’ ‘Number of countries with national and local DRR strategies;’ and ‘Proportion of local governments that adopt and implement local DRR strategies in line with the Sendai Framework for DRR.’

The technical briefing took place on 1 June 2016, in New York, US. UNSIDR will organize another briefing on the development of the Sendai Framework indicators in November 2016, after the OIEWG’s third formal session. [IAEG-SDGs Website] [OIEWG Website] [IISD RS Sources]