Events

Co-hosted by the State Department of Economic Planning of Kenya, PARIS21, Directorate General of International Partnerships of the European Commission, the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), this side event focuses on highlighting the indispensable role of National Statistical Offices (NSOs) in strengthening the evidence-base of the Voluntary National Review (VNR) process and the follow-up. The organisers will share best practices from countries and present new analysis and guidance for Governments, who look for ways to boost their capacities for an improved monitoring of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and for a better data governance.

This session will delve into the specific functions and responsibilities of NSOs within the VNR process, emphasizing their role as providers of high-quality data and key actors of robust data governance. The event will feature the official launch of a new report that examines the role of NSOs in VNRs, presenting findings, insights, and recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders.

Participants will discuss the challenges faced by NSOs in fulfilling their mandate within the VNR framework, including coordination and data access issues. Additionally, opportunities for strengthening NSOs' capacity and partnership potential will be explored. Country representatives will share experiences and best practices in leveraging NSOs effectively for in the VNR process, showcasing successful strategies for data collection, analysis, and dissemination.

The event will call governments and development partners to support NSOs in fulfilling their role in VNRs by mobilizing resources, fostering cross-sectoral partnerships, and integrating data-driven approaches into national development planning processes.