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The vision of "datutopia" inspired lively debates on the key pillars of such a system, addressing questions such as how to build trust and develop standards for ethical data use or how to craft lasting and effective partnerships, as well as discussions on the next big steps that could be enabled by artificial intelligence to mobilize data for communities.
Final report
Summary report 12–15 November 2024
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The Fifth UN World Data Forum 2024 sought to spur data innovation, nurture partnerships, mobilize high-level political and financial support for data, and build a pathway to better data for sustainable development. UNWDF 2024 was organized around four thematic areas:
- Innovation for better and more inclusive data;
- Maximizing the use and value of data for better decision making;
- Building trust, protection, and ethics in data; and
- Effective Partnerships for better data and a more equitable data ecosystem.
In addition to convening plenary discussions and dialogue sessions on the selected themes, each World Data Forum has launched an outcome document that identifies new directions for global statistical and data development efforts. The Cape Town Global Action Plan (CTGAP), which was launched at the first UN World Data Forum, identifies areas for statistical and data capacity development efforts to establish the full range of reporting and monitoring needed to measure progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Dubai Declaration (UNWDF 2018) calls for an innovative funding mechanism to support the implementation of the CTGAP. The Global data community’s response to Covid-19 (2020) and Bern Data Compact for the Decade of Action on the Sustainable Development Goals (UNWDF 2021) identify ways official statistics and National Statistical Offices (NSOs) can position themselves during Covid-19 and in the wider data ecosystem generally. The Hangzhou Declaration (UNWDF 2023) was launched to recommit the global community to accelerating progress in the implementation of the Cape Town Global Action Plan for Sustainable Development Data and calls for renewed commitment to work with all partners in the data ecosystem to drive innovation, trust, partnerships, use and impact and investments in data and statistics.
The UNWDF 2024 event took place from 12-15 November 2024, in Medellín Colombia. It was organized with support from the Statistics Division of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA).
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Stefan Schweinfest, Director, UN Statistics Division
