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IPS124 Misha B. et al.
within new or existing federal statistical observations, including
suggestions on introducing new questions in the statistical surveys.
▪ Justify the optimal placing of the proposed above questions into the
specific programs and statistical surveys taking into account their
subject matter, frequency, and sample sizes. Estimate approximate
budget for the calculation of SDG indicators in Russia.
▪ Develop guidelines for Rosstat to generate final statistics on SDG
indicators, taking into account the need to supplement the empirical
base, for submitting to the international organizations.
▪ Evaluate the possibilities for using alternative data sources (Big Data)
for the calculation of SDG indicators.

US-based private consulting company ODW Consulting participated in
competition. It has employed an international NGO Open Data Watch which
works on different aspects of SDGs from calculation of indicators to estimating
of costs needed to measure SDGs. In addition to work on the international
methodology the project includes estimates using original Russian data as well
as recommendations regarding improving of Russian official statistics. ODW
Consulting employed several local experts to assist international experts, to
collect initial data, and to make estimations. In this case ODW Consulting
partnered with the Russian Association of Statisticians (RASt) to provide local
experts with necessary background.
Currently this project is underway. In a recently conducted unpublished
study, ODW Consulting looked at a sample of SDG indicators to understand
the clarity of the write-ups by the custodian agencies placed on their websites.
The study reveals that some indicators are not very clear, some write-ups are
more than ten years old. Others have too many options for countries to choose
from. It is known that no country in the world can deliver even on tier 1
indicators. We would expect that the champions can present around 90
indicators on their SDG web portals.
This concrete project may serve as a success story of cooperation between
government, national statistical services, international agencies, private
business and NGOs. This is because of clear distribution of functions between
all these institutions. In many other cases, progress is not so visible.
The situation calls for strengthening the statistical systems worldwide to
be able to deliver on indicators. The analysis of country and UN data portals
demonstrate that the situation is not very promising. The call to support
capacity development is not answered by those who finance statistical work –
country governments, multilateral, bilateral, and private donors. Many
estimates indicate significant gaps. Private and public sector entities should
provide support to the least developed national statistical system. Ways of

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