We Need to Monitor and Track Progress towards the Achievement of the Global Goals

This is not the first time I have written an article like this; however, the closer we become to the 2030 deadline for the achievement of the 17 goals and their 169 targets, the more I worry about our lack of monitoring and data collection around the targets, in line with the 232 indicators.

There are a few different aspects of reporting that need to factored into the equation to ensure no one is left behind in the achievement of the 2030 Agenda, the world’s most ambitious economic, social and environmental development agenda to date.

17 Goals | 169 Targets | 232 Indicators

To achieve any single goal or target, the other 16 goals and 168 targets must be achieved. None of the goals or targets can be achieved in isolation because it would mean that a part of the equation of achievement is missing. For example, gender equality cannot be achieved unless we are ending the gender inequality in poverty, hunger and malnutrition, health and well-being, education, water and sanitation, employment and a variety of other cases.

Currently, the worldwide report for the progress on the Global Goals, the SDG Index, only measures progress against a handful of targets, which can place some countries higher in their achievement of the goals than what…