South-South Cooperation provides a platform on which to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and expertise—for a more comprehensive understanding of citizen-centric service delivery among the countries of the Global South. Partnership is an important goal of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a crucial means to achieve them.
To establish a framework of cooperation in monitoring SDGs and different data initiatives, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) will be signed between Peru’s National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI) and Bangladesh’s A2i-Innovate for All (A2i).
The decision was taken jointly in an event held by A2i, INEI, and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) at the UN World Data Forum, in Dubai, UAE on Tuesday.
As part of this MoU, A2i will share knowledge and expertise about relevant initiatives related to national development, with INEI. It will supports INEI in tracking the SDGs using the SDG Tracker—a simple, but powerful, tool for comprehensive target-setting and progress-tracking for each SDG, indicator by indicator.
The SDG Tracker can be adjusted to each development context and set of challenges faced. It will lead to efficient resource allocation and effective policymaking for inclusive and sustainable development.
A2i, with the support of the ICT Division, UNDP, and USAID – and in collaboration with the General Economics Division (GED) of the Planning Commission – designed and developed the SDG Tracker. It creates an online data repository to accurately monitor the progress of achieving the SDG indicators. Collaboration between A2i and INEI will make the nexus of the SDG Tracker, South-South Cooperation, and citizen-centric public service development stronger and more effective. It will further expand new opportunities and possibilities that will lead to joint initiatives to achieve national development objectives and the SDGs.
This partnership has been made possible due to the catalytic efforts of the South-South Network for Public Service Innovation (SSN4PSI). SSN4PSI is a collaborative platform where governments, private sector organizations, experts, academicians, and distinguished individuals – who are members of this network – can exchange knowledge, experiences and expertise—to harness innovations in public service delivery. It also helps governments and people to achieve the SDGs.
INEI’s Deputy Chief Dr Anibal Sanchez Aguilar, A2i’s Project Director and Additional Secretary to the Government Md. Mustafizur Rahman, INEI’s Technical Cooperation Specialist Mr. Luis CalleRosasco, A2i’s Policy Advisor Anir Chowdhury, Distinguished Fellow of Centre for Policy Dialogue Professor Mustafizur Rahman, A2i’s Head of Results Management and Data Dr. Ramiz Uddin, representatives of the UN Statistics Division, and representatives of Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) were present at the event—among others.