ODIN 2026-27 Assessments Begin in May
In mid-May, the ODIN 2026/27 assessments of the coverage and openness of official statistics will begin. Covering 197 countries, this year’s round includes several important updates.
Data Systems in a Changing Landscape
Two major global conferences, the UN Statistical Commission and the Commission on the Status of Women, underscore that data systems are under strain, but propose ways to rethink how they can be strengthened, financed and used effectively.
ODW at the 57th UN Statistical Commission
The 57th UN Statistical Commission (3-6 March) gathers chief statisticians from countries, international organizations, and civil society to share experience and to discuss standards, methods, and goals for international statistics. Open Data Watch will co-host events on citizen data, the data systems crisis, and time use data.
Press Release: Data2X and Open Data Watch Join Forces to Advance Gender Data for All
The partnership will shift Data2X’s gender data work and integrate it into Open Data Watch’s broader data systems efforts to better inform policies and improve outcomes for women and girls worldwide.
Moments that Defined the 2025 Data Community
For the development data community, 2025 was a defining year, marked by disruption and reinvention, major funding cuts, political shifts, and unprecedented strains on data systems just when demand for data reached all-time highs.
Strengthening National Statistics Through Openness
In the fast changing global data environment, the need to integrate and provide access to official and new data sources makes open data principles and practices more important than ever. Modules from recent expert workshops provide practical guidance on how to strengthen national statistical systems through openness.
Data Fuels Financing for Development via Broader Coalition
A new PRESS report lands at a critical moment, shining light on who finances data and statistics, on dangerous concentrations and promising opportunities, on gaps between commitments and disbursements, and on ways to bolster evidence-based advocacy for sustainable financing.
Building Bridges for Better Gender Data in Sri Lanka
Sparking conversations about how to make gender data a stronger part of national planning and decision-making, BRIDGE helps Sri Lanka measure the maturity of gender data, not just in numbers, but also in terms of coordination, policy support, data use, and capacity.
Reflections from the 4th Global CRVS and Gender Symposium
The 4th Global CRVS and Gender Symposium discussed how inclusive and gender-responsive CRVS systems can drive equitable development outcomes. In light of country experiences, participants underscored the importance of continued collaboration to secure long-term, gender-responsive financing for CRVS.
Urgent Need for Intersectional Disability Data
Intersectional disability data reveals how overlapping identities—such as disability, gender, and income—shape lived experiences and expose who is most at risk of being left behind. When communities lead the data process, it can drive more inclusive policies with lasting impact.