Improving SDG data - Saudi Arabia

Objective

Improve the collection and dissemination of SDG data, in line with the 2023 decision of the Steering Committee for Sustainable Development stipulating the adoption of new technologies to this end.

Overview

Improving VNR data starts from the institutional structure and continues to data collection and dissemination mechanisms, as follows:

• Institutional structure: Specialized task forces of the Steering Committee for Sustainable Development collected recent data, identified challenges in the governance model and proposed recommendations.
• Mechanism: The VNR team collected SDG data from governmental and non-governmental sources, including civil society, the private sector and international actors, as well as non-traditional sources such as social media platforms. The team verified the quality and accuracy of the data and held consultations with partners thereon. Government entities utilized a unified SDG template for data collection, and organized several virtual lectures on SDG data.
• Use of technology and data dissemination: Modern technologies have been used to automate data collection, coordination, organization and dissemination in modern visual ways.

The participatory data collection process strengthened national ownership of the SDGs and the extent of accountability, trust and cooperation between public sector institutions and non-governmental actors. It also helped identify challenges and seek solutions. The collected information and data will feed into the development of future policies and programmes.

Challenges

• Disparity between the National Vision 2030 framework and the 2030 Agenda in terms of available indicators and the collection and calculation methodology.
• Lack of certain data and the inability to update other data.
• Coordination difficulties in collecting data from various entities due to lack of technical expertise in appropriate methodologies and the absence of a unified backend structure for data.

Implementation Phase

Guiding Principles