Open Data Watch works closely with the United Nations Statistics Division and other partners to shape the processes that guide national statistical offices. By successfully integrating open data principles into official standard-setting processes and national data systems, Open Data Watch continues to lead in advocating for open by default policies. As co-chair of a workstream within the United Nations Data Stewardship Working Group and the United Nations World Data Forum Programme Committee, we ensure that the development data agenda is inclusive, context-sensitive, and policy-relevant. Through steadfast advocacy and collaboration, we have secured open data as a permanent agenda item at the United Nations Statistical Commission, keeping it at the forefront of global discussions.

Advocating for increased investments for development data

Investments in people, technologies, and processes are necessary conditions for sustained production and use of development data. Open Data Watch works with partners such as PARIS21 and Data2X to analyze official development assistance flows for data at the donor and country level and understand the state of gender data financing. We apply our financing expertise in support of the Clearinghouse for Financing Development Data, including its gender data channel.

Harnessing intersectional data for policies and impact

In this pivotal moment in sustainable development, we call on development partners and national statistical systems to work together to unlock the power of intersectional data for development. Intersectionality is a critical framework for development data as it provides a means to understand and address complex dimensions of inequality. Building on existing research, Data2X and Open Data Watch have developed a framework to guide this agenda. And through our research and advocacy, we are working to systematically reimagine data systems that empower marginalized communities and facilitate inclusive development.

The path from data to impact is complex. Our goal is to build a public body of knowledge that can increase the use of data for sustainable development. To improve our understanding of this complex process, Open Data Watch created the Data Value Chain — a tool that can be used to understand the processes data undergo from collection to publication to uptake to impact.

Using the power of networks to share data solutions

Collaboration and partnerships are fundamental to increasing the use and impact of data. Open Data Watch works closely with representatives from national statistical offices and partners to ensure that the data reach their full potential. The Gender Data Network, a joint initiative between PARIS21, Data2X, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific brings together gender data experts from national statistical systems in over 50 countries to share innovative solutions to overcome common barriers for producing and using high quality gender data.

Building country capacity through targeted workshops

Open Data Watch partners with national statistical offices to help improve open data practices based on insights from tools like the Open Data Inventory (ODIN), Gender Data Compass, and Open Climate Data Template. Through tailored support—ranging from email consultations to workshops—Open Data Watch provides practical advice on data quality, sharing, and policy implementation. These engagements help countries close the gap between data production and use, leading to stronger open data systems while fostering long-term improvements in data management.

To ensure national statistical systems meet their obligations to provide open and complete development data, the world needs independent organizations to monitor their performance. The Open Data Inventory (ODIN) provides biennial assessments of the availability and openness of official statistics in over 190 countries around the world. The ODIN methodology is transparent, reproducible, and consistent with international standards. Since launching the first assessments in 2015, Open Data Watch has expanded efforts through direct engagement with national statistical offices. SDG Indicator 17.18.1 now uses ODIN scores on data availability as a measure of national capacity to produce sustainable development indicators.

Charting a course for gender data

Achieving gender equality demands unleashing the power of gender data. With accurate and open gender data, we can better understand people’s lived experiences and accelerate progress toward a more equitable world. Open Data Watch has created the Gender Data Compass (the Compass) to offer a a comprehensive view of gender data systems and their enabling environment. The Compass serves as a practical guide, offering direction and support to national statistical offices and their partners on their path to gender equality.

Offering a user perspective on country climate change data

Open data about climate change and its impacts are vital to planners in low- and middle-income countries, which are often more vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. Access to reliable and comprehensive data on climate change is crucial to implementing timely, appropriate, and effective adaptation and mitigation strategies. The Open Climate Data Template (OCDT) enables countries to better understand what datasets on climate change are publicly available through their websites and how accessible they are. Through this user perspective, policymakers can diagnose areas for improvement.