Page 91 - Special Topic Session (STS) - Volume 2

STS461 Jukka H.
Future challenges include further disaggregation of data as the collected
data in most cases is optimised to minimum samples because of cost-savings
and to minimise response burden. Thus, in many cases current data does not
necessary allow the in-depth disaggregation recently emphasised by UN
organisations. As the SDG indicator set disaggregation seems to deepen over
time, the basic statistical data collection samples have to be reconsidered.
Development of data for indicators currently undefined, with non-existent
data or in need of development are major challenges. In some cases, indicator
data could be calculated from existing data bases with considerable additional
work. In most cases considerable amount of resources and methodological
assistance from NSO are needed.
For policy makers to SDGs embrace progress that is to be managed to
achieve multiple objectives. Consequently, NSOs are in demand to produce
assessments of progress towards SDGs indicator by indicator as they owe
expertise on the indicators. However, political and normative goals are in many
cases non-existent and thus NSOs face a difficult task. There also exists even
more demanding future necessities to develop aggregate indicators which
evaluate the relative contribution of each SDG and their interaction with each
other, in order to evaluate general progress and to provide more clear insights
and proposals for social reforms and changes.

References
1. Eurostat. Sustainable in the European Union 2018. Monitoring report on
progress towards SDGs in an EU context. 2018 edition. European Union:
Luxembourg. Printed in Belgium.
2. Palm, Viveka 2017. The response of official statistics to Sustainable
Development Goals as seen from the process in the IAEG-SDG. Statistics
Sweden.
3. Prime Minister’s Office 2017. Government Report on the implementation
of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable Development. Sustainable
development in Finland – long-term, Coherent and Inclusive Action.
Prime minister’s Office Publications 11/2017. Helsinki.
4. Statistics Finland 2019. UN indicators for sustainable development
(Agenda 2030). http://www.stat.fi/tup/kestavan-kehityksen-yk-
indikaattorit-agenda2030_en.html [15 Apr 2019]
5. UNECE 2017. Conference of European Statisticians. Road map on
Statistics for Sustainable Development. Geneva: United Nations.

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