Accelerating Statistics Development in Georgia: Sub-regional Workshop on Data and SDGs

1. Meeting the challenge: readiness for grasping opportunity to accelerate statistics development in Georgia Sub-regional Workshop on Data and Statistics for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for High-Level Official Statisticians 30-31 May 2017, Baku, Azerbaijan Maia Guntsadze Deputy Executive Director National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat)

2. Outline of presentation • The value of statistics to decision-makers and userswhatis différent about SDGs? • Integration of SDGs into National Policy Framework and Thematic Analysis • National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) 2017-2020 • Partnership with International Organizations Towards SDGs • SDG &The process of modernizing statistics –how to get there? • Strategic Issues and Challenges • SDG Indicators: challenges and opportunities

3. The value of statistics to decision-makers and usersWhatisdifferent about SDGs? Need for dialogue with policymakers SDGs have statistics and politics close together; statistical data enable policymakers to make evidence-based decisions Collaboration ensures objectives are measurable and that selected indicators are usable for policymakers Mutual understanding needs to be strengthened, including on Independence of NSOs Policymakers are not always aware of limitations and costs of producing indicators Statisticians not yet in position to provide all SDG data (manage expectations) An extra indicator set (national SDGs) could increase reporting burden Definition of roles and responsibilities Policymakers to set Goals and Targets (usually consistent with National Development Plans), while Statisticians to set indicators Statisticians could ensure that national monitoring is consistent with predefined conceptual framework (i.e. CES on SD, NA, etc) Communication Communication on SDGs will take place at different levels and will have different audiences Not only need for reports, but also NSOs should engage with policymakers on a ongoing basis Coordination of reporting to avoid duplication Open, honest, transparent and Standardised and consistent reporting

4. Integration of SDGs into National Policy Framework and Thematic Analysis in Georgia • The process of defining adjusted SDG targets, development of relevant indicators has drawn on a set of strategic and multi-sectoral development documents on a national level, especially: • EU–Georgia Association Agenda • Social and Economic Development Strategy “Georgia 2020” • National Strategy for the Protection of Human Rights in Georgia • Public Administration Reform Roadmap and its Action Plan 2015-2016 • Thematic Analysis have been conducted Government Policy Priorities in pursuit to SDGs: • 4 point reform plan of the Government of Georgia: Economic reform; Education reform; Spatial development: Regional and Infrastructural Development; Governance reform • Healthcare – increase the efficiency of public spending on healthcare through improved administration and placing greater emphasis on preventive measures • Energy – develop stable and reliable energy sector and construction of new hydropower stations • Environment – maintenance of economic development from the perspective of environmental protection and rational use of natural resources • IDPs & Refugees – facilitation of platforms for promoting social inclusion and trust building between societies separated by dividing occupation lines; ensure decent conditions for internally displaced population in accordance with the National Strategy and its relevant Action Plan.

5. Integration of SDGs into National Policy Framework and National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) in Georgia • The process of defining adjusted SDG targets, development of relevant indicators has drawn on a set of strategic and multi-sectoral development documents on a national level, especially: EU–Georgia Association Agenda; Social and Economic Development Strategy “Georgia 2020” ; National Strategy for the Protection of Human Rights in Georgia; Public Administration Reform Roadmap and its Action Plan 2015-2016 • Thematic Analysis have been conducted -Government Policy Priorities in pursuit to SDGs are: 4 point reform plan of the Government of Georgia: Economic reform; Education reform; Spatial development: Regional and Infrastructural Development; Governance reform; Healthcare; Energy ; IDPs & Refugees. • Geostat is preparing a new National Strategy for Developments Statistics (NSDS) • In Line with international recommendations (TAIEX TA -Statistics Lithuania) • Development of NSDS tailored to the SDG context & linkage with SDG Goals- It will set out how the Georgian Statistical System can be aligned more closely with the SDG • Covers a short-term 2017-2020 action plan • Long-term perspectives and vision for the future • Detailed work programme, based on the main priorities • Assessment of the current situation, main constraints and challenges

6. Partnership with International Organizations Towards SDGs • Coordination of external aid through mobilization of government counterparts and development partners (custodian agencies) • Communication of Georgia’s government priorities and development agenda for increased aid effectiveness • Implementation of principles of aid effectiveness in Georgia • Analysis of key priorities of development agenda • Government’s annual work plan & longer term policy directions • Communication and coordination within the government about implementation, challenges and potential intervention of external aid in the development agenda • Appropriate Government Decree on Coordination of External Assistance was adopted: • Determines the coordination rules and mechanisms of the government in support of the better targeted aid efforts and resources towards the state priorities • Determines roles and responsibilities within the government • Describes key mechanisms for donor coordination • Development Partnership Forum carried out; several Donor Coordination Round Tables & 6 Thematic Coordination Group Meetings with in-depth discussion and gap analysis held. External Aid Report presented accordingly. • Joint work plan for 2017-2018 UN Partnership for SDG development is under finalization, roles and responsibilities have been defined • International partners from the UN family (UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, Eurostat, FAO, ILO, Efta etc.), other international organizations and NGOs have helped shape the strategic policy documents, and are helping on a daily basis to implement them. • Coordination of capacity building according national priorities , avoid duplications

7. SDG &The process of modernizing statistics –how to get there? • Modernizing National Statistical system-Statistical agencies worldwide, including Geostat, are modernizing the way they produce high-quality official statistics. • SDGs will positively contribute to the modernization of NSOs • The Common Statistical Production Architecture (including The Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM) ) as the basis for future statistical production. Perceived challenge: • It may require a big investment before any payoff is seen • The transformation to CSPA could be a big and complex step • High level/Management decision will be needed • Strategic directions for the future have to be defined on different levels • HR management and trainings: driving force for the modernization of statistics-Training and learning, job competencies and improved skills for future • More capacity building and public awareness activities (National, International) • develop a culture of changes within the NSO

8. Strategic Issues and Challenges ✓ Aassessments and identification of data gaps will be directed by NSOs in close coordination with relevant data producers and international organisations ✓ Development of a national road map/work plan on statistics for SDGs • Disaggregated sectoral data (by: income level, sex, age, race and ethnicity, migration status, disability, geographic location ). Investment in production is needed. • Administrative data has limitations (under-reporting, coverage, etc). Investment in surveys are needed (development of registers, etc). • Be careful with the use of “unofficial” data (ex- NGOs etc) sources to produce official statistics • Insufficient financial and human resources to produce statistics on SDGs ✓ Lack of knowledge , guidance and recommendations on specific issues (support from custodian agencies is needed) • Methodological and technical assistance for development and implementation of SDG follow-up system. Discussions about Setting up a national reporting platform (website) for global SDG indicators (Snapshot , ADAPT, etc) • Full compliance with Generic Statistical Law which have been Developed To Modernize Statistics In Eastern European, Caucasus And Central Asian (EECCA) Countries, Appropriate Changes in legislation will be discussed. • Global, Regional, National Assessments and follow up will be needed

9. Strategic Issues and Challenges

10. SDG Indicators: challenges and opportunities Integration & Standardisation Interoperability Infrastructure IT & applications Scope > 230 indicators Digital transformation Modernisation Resources & Capability SDG Indicators Data Eco-system Granularity Data disaggregation Data sources Big Data Methodology Mix-mode Know-how HR development Institutional environment Leadership Coordination Partnership Quality Timelinessreliability Data community Data providers& producers Opportunities Capacity Building Challenges

11. Facing the change and meet the challenges of the SDGs  Thank you for your attention! Maia Guntsadze Deputy Executive Director National Statistics Office of Georgia mguntsadze@geostat.ge