FAO Strengthened National Capacity on SDG Indicators

Participants included specialists and representatives from national ministries, statistical offices, and sectoral agencies actively engaged in SDG monitoring and reporting. The webinar provided an in-depth look at several complex and high-priority SDG indicators, including gender equality in land rights (SDG 5.a.1), water resource management (SDG 6.4.2), sustainable agriculture (SDG 2.4.1), support to small-scale food producers (SDG 2.3.1 and 2.3.2), and sustainable fisheries (SDG 14.4.1).

Throughout the sessions, FAO experts presented global methodologies, explained sub-indicators and data requirements, and guided national counterparts on how to interpret, adapt, and apply these indicators in the national context. Practical exercises using Excel, discussions on challenges in data collection, institutional arrangements, and strategies for aligning national systems with international reporting standards were all key components of the agenda.

Particular attention was given to nationalizing SDG 2.4.1, with sessions devoted to its economic, environmental, and social dimensions, including the use of survey tools, alternative data sources, and steps toward full integration into national reporting frameworks. On the final day, participants practiced methodologies for identifying small-scale manufacturers of agricultural products, calculating productivity indicators using real datasets, and examined national readiness to report on the sustainability of fish stocks.

This collaborative training served as a platform for open dialogue, knowledge exchange, and capacity development in line with the 2030 Agenda. It reflects the ongoing commitment of the UN Agencies to support evidence-based policymaking and improve national data systems that underpin sustainable development efforts.