The two-day workshop for key government agencies on integrated SDG monitoring in Sri Lanka convened by the Sustainable Development Council (SDC) in partnership with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)

The two-day workshop for key government agencies on integrated SDG monitoring in Sri Lanka convened by the Sustainable Development Council (SDC) in partnership with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) commenced this morning.

The objectives of the two-day workshop is to further enhance the use of data for effective monitoring of SDG implementation in Sri Lanka, including achieving increased ownership of the SDG national targets by the line ministries, and working towards an integrated approach towards monitoring and evaluation of the SDG progress.

In welcoming the participants, Director General of SDC, Chamindry Saparamadu, highlighted that as the time to achieve the SDGs is running out, government institutions should focus on how accountability for the implementation of SDGs can be improved through robust monitoring and evaluation of SDG achievements.

Speaking during the Opening Session of the two-day workshop, the UN Resident Coordinator for Sri Lanka, Marc- Andre Franche, emphasized that, monitoring progress towards the SDGs is a crucial part of the 2030 Agenda and the national SDG targets identified and validated by all line ministries will form the basis for future development planning.

Delivering the Key Note Remarks, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr. Anura Dissanayake observed that without timely statistics, including different levels of disaggregation, it is difficult to delve deeper into multifaceted and complex development challenges that are facing the society today. Mr. Dissanayake emphasized the importance of strengthening data and monitoring frameworks to improve decision-making, transparency and accountability as well as efficiency in directing policy interventions and investments towards where the needs are.

The participants of the workshop include SDG data focal points and SDG focal points appointed by all the ministries and government institutions and relevant officers from the Sustainable Development Council, the Department of Census and Statistics and the National Planning Department.