SDG Indicators comments on the possible proposals for refinements will take place from 19 to 28 September 2016

Dear Colleague,

On behalf of the Inter-agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators (IAEG-SDGs), we would like to invite you to participate in an open consultation on possible refinements to the global indicator framework for the Sustainable Development Goals. In follow-up to the 47th Statistical Commission decision 47/101 (e), which “Requested the Inter‐Agency and Expert Group to take into account the specific proposals for refinements of the indicators made by Member States during the discussion”, the Inter-agency and Expert Group on Sustainable Development Goal Indicators (IAEG-SDGs) is conducting an open consultation on possible refinements for a limited set of indicators in the global indicator framework for the Sustainable Development Goals.

This consultation is open to all countries, regional and international agencies, civil society, academia and the private sector. The IAEG-SDGs is seeking inputs from all interested organizations and stakeholders on the possible proposed refinements through this consultation. Please note that the inclusion of a specific indicator or proposal in this consultation does not indicate that a proposal for a refinement of this indicator will eventually be submitted to the Statistical Commission. The IAEG-SDGs will review the inputs received and decide on the merit of each individual refinement to be proposed to the Statistical Commission.

The consultation will take place from 19 to 28 September 2016. The inputs received will inform the discussion at the fourth meeting of the IAEG-SDGs, to be held from 20-21 October in Addis Ababa 

Please use the link below to access the online consultation form here:

If you have any questions regarding the open consultation or encounter any problems accessing the online form, please contact Mr. Benjamin Rae (raeb@un.org).

Thank you for your continued collaboration throughout this process.

Best regards,

UN Statistics Division

Indicators under review

Target 1.a: Ensure significant mobilization of resources from a variety of sources, including through enhanced development cooperation, in order to provide adequate and predictable means for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, to implement programmes and policies to end poverty in all its dimensions

Current Indicator 1.a.1: "Proportion of resources allocated by the government directly to poverty reduction programmes"

A Possible Refinement to Indicator 1.a.1: "Sum of total grants and FDI and non-debt creating inflows"

Target 2.b: Correct and prevent trade restrictions and distortions in world agricultural markets, including through the parallel elimination of all forms of agricultural export subsidies and all export measures with equivalent effect, in accordance with the mandate of the Doha Development Round

Current Indicator 2.b.1: "Producer Support Estimate"

A Possible Refinement to Indicator 2.b.1: "Percentage change in import and export tariffs on agricultural products"

Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all

Current Indicator 3.8.2: "Number of people covered by health insurance or a public health system per 1,000 population"

A Possible Refinement to Indicator 3.8.2: "Proportion of the population with large household expenditures (e.g. greater than 25%) on health as a share of total household expenditure or income"

Target 3.b: Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and non-communicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries, provide access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines, in accordance with the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health, which affirms the right of developing countries to use to the full the provisions in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights regarding flexibilities to protect public health, and, in particular, provide access to medicines for all

Current Indicator 3.b.1: "Proportion of the population with access to affordable medicines and vaccines on a sustainable basis"

A Possible Refinement to Indicator 3.b.1 (2 indicators): "National- and district-level coverage of all vaccines included in the national programme" and "Proportion of health facilities with a defined basket of medicines available"

Target 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences

Current Indicator 5.6.2: "Number of countries with laws and regulations that guarantee women aged 15-49 years access to sexual and reproductive health care, information and education"

A Possible Refinement to Indicator 5.6.2: "Number of countries with laws and regulations that guarantee women and men aged 15.49 access to sexual and reproductive health care, information and education"

Target 7.a: By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology

Current Indicator 7.a.1: "Mobilized amount of United States dollars per year starting in 2020 accountable towards the $100 billion commitment"

A Possible Refinement to Indicator 7.a.1: "Amount of public and private funds invested in clean energy infrastructure and clean energy technology"

Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment

Current Indicator 8.8.2: "Increase in national compliance of labour rights (freedom of association and collective bargaining) based on International Labour Organization (ILO) textual sources and national legislation, by sex and migrant status"

A Possible Refinement to Indicator 8.8.2: "Level of national compliance of labour rights (freedom of association, collective bargaining and other labour rights) based on ILO textual sources and national legislation, by sex and migrant status"

Target 8.9: By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products

Current Indicator 8.9.2: "Number of jobs in tourism industries as a proportion of total jobs and growth rate of jobs, by sex"

A Possible Refinement to Indicator 8.9.2: The IAEG would like to refine the indicator in order to specifically refer to "sustainable tourism and use of local products" but no concrete proposal currently exists.

Target 8.b: By 2020, develop and operationalize a global strategy for youth employment and implement the Global Jobs Pact of the International Labour Organization

Current Indicator 8.b.1: "Total government spending in social protection and employment programmes as a proportion of the national budgets and GDP"

A Possible Refinement to Indicator 8.b.1: "Total government spending in social protection and employment programmes as a proportion of the national budgets"

Target 16.4: By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime

Current Indicator 16.4.2: "Proportion of seized small arms and light weapons that are recorded and traced, in accordance with international standards and legal instruments"

A Possible Refinement to Indicator 16.4.2: "Proportion of seized, surrendered or found small arms and light weapons that are marked, recorded or destroyed in accordance with relevant international legal instruments, agreements and standards"