United Nations Statistical Commission

At its 47th Session, the United Nations Statistical Commission agreed on the global indicator framework with an initial set of 230 indicators. A core element of the global indicator framework is the disaggregation of data and the coverage of particular groups of the population in order to fulfil the main principle of the 2030 Agenda of "leaving no one behind". Although only 11 indicators specify disagreggation by disability status, the indicator framework recognizes that "Sustainable Development Goal indicators should be disaggregated, where relevant, by income, sex, age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability and geographic location, or other characteristics, in accordance with the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics".

The 2030 Agenda presents both opportunities and challenges for national statistical systems in terms of generating the requisite data and statistics for monitoring progress towards achievement of the SDGs, including on persons with disabilities. This requires use of not only existing data sources, mainly censuses and surveys, but also use of additional sources such as administrative records. It also calls for better linkages and integration of data sources, including through use of geospatial technologies, as well as better coordination among data producers in the countries.

The side event will provide an opportunity to discuss the ability of countries to generate high-quality, timely and reliable data disaggregated by disability status, for monitoring progress towards inclusion of persons with disabilities in development programmes. The discussion will be from the perspective of: (i) a region where there is also a regional framework on persons with disabilities for countries in the region; (ii) small island states; (iii) a developed country; and (iv) a developing country national statistical office.

Some questions to be addressed:

• What are the current sources of statistics on disability?
• What are the opportunities and constraints of these sources for producing disability statistics?
• Are the data enough for monitoring of key areas of disability inclusive development?
• Who are the key producers of the data on disability in national statistical systems?; Are there coordination mechanisms for producing statistics on disability?
• How can national capacity to produce statistics for monitoring progress towards inclusion of persons with disabilities in development programmes be strengthened?

Speakers:

Chair:
• UNSD: Margaret Mbogoni

Panellists:
• UNESCAP: Ms. Margarita Guerrero
• Presentation
• CARICOM: Ms. Philomen Harrison
• USA: Ms. Jennifer Madans
• Presentation
• Uganda: Mr. Ben Paul Mungyereza
• Presentation
• Myanmar: Ms. Khaing Khaing Soe
• Presentation