Launch of “The Power of Data” Initiative: Unlocking the Data Dividend for the SDGs in Costa Rica

Stronger data systems will revolutionize decision-making, accelerate countries' digital transformation agendas, and open economic opportunities for a more equal and sustainable world. At the SDG Action Weekend in New York on September 17, 2023, a new coalition was formed to launch the High Impact Initiative of the Power of Data.

Leading-edge national data partnerships

At the heart of the High Impact Initiative is national data partnerships, announced by an initial group of 15 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, including Costa Rica. 

On 30 May 2024, the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Policy (MIDEPLAN) and the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC) host the Power of Data National Meeting to launch the initiative, where representative co-leads of the initiative and the government of Costa Rica will discuss the country's data needs and prioritization.

The launch of 'The Power of Data' initiative in Costa Rica marks a significant step towards harnessing data to drive sustainable development. By strengthening our data systems, we can make informed decisions that benefit all sectors of society, ensuring no one is left behind. Costa Rica's commitment to this initiative exemplifies the power of strategic partnerships in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Claire Melamed, CEO of GPSDD

Objectives of the meeting

• Present and establish mechanisms for the implementation of the Power of Data initiative.
• Generate a discussion space for the actors of the National Statistical System, the data ecosystem, and the International Cooperation regarding information gaps and data use.
• Establish a dialogue on accessing and using data from administrative records for SDG measurement.
• Identify opportunities to work on disaggregation of data for SDG measurement.
• Develop viable plans and strategies to advance Costa Rica's data and technology agenda. This includes identifying priority areas for intervention and setting targets and timelines.