Events

The UN Statistics Division (UNSD), in collaboration with OISC, will co-host a VNR data lab during the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) 2025, to spotlight country experiences in integrating innovative data sources into Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). Building on insights from recent global workshops on expanding SDG data sources, the session responds to the growing need to share best practices in using non-traditional data for SDG monitoring and reporting. Traditional data collection faces persistent challenges such as time lags, high costs, and limited disaggregation-especially for marginalized populations. Innovative sources like satellite imagery, mobile phone data, social media analytics, and citizen-generated data offer opportunities to bridge these gaps, improving the timeliness, granularity, and inclusiveness of VNRs.

The Data Lab aims to facilitate peer learning among countries presenting VNRs at the 2025 HLPF. Through practical examples, discussion of methodologies, and exchange implementation challenges, the session will support efforts to improve the quality, coverage, and effectiveness of data used in SDG reporting.