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 users what is différent about SDGs?
Integration of SDGs into National Policy Framework and Thematic Analysis
National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS)
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 users What is different 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
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
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 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 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
Coordination (common vision, roadmap: global, regional, national)
Communication (data importance, dissemination, Advocacy)
Integration (institutionalization, standards, framework recommendations)
Modernization (standardized, business architecture, new tools)
Capacity building (national strategies on development, statistics, technical assistance, resources mobilization)
Economic statistics
Social and Demographic Statistics
Environment statistics
Drivers
Sustainable Development Goals and SDG follow-up
Tools
SNA
SEEA
IHHS
Economic statistics

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

11. Thank you for your attention!
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