James Kon
Improving monitoring capacity and strengthening data capacities, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) priority indicators for Brunei Darussalam will soon be uploaded into a data repository system called SDG tracker, thanks to the partnership with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).
The latest initiative to better store and track data for the country’s progress in SDGs was shared by Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah, the guest of honour at the launch of the second voluntary national review workshop for Brunei Darussalam at the theatre hall of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) yesterday.
In preparation for the voluntary national report (VNR), Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew said, “We acknowledged one of the weaknesses is the availability of disaggregated data. The importance of robust data collection cannot be overstated. We need a reliable source of data for policymaking.
“I am pleased to inform our immediate action to strengthen data capacities has been fruitful with a strong partnership with the UNESCAP.”
Another preparation is the progress review through first VNR stock take carried out by members of the special national coordinating committee on SDGs.
He recalled, “One of the preliminary findings highlights how much national achievement in SDGs hinges heavily upon the whole-of-nation approach. What this calls for is a closer and more meaningful collaboration between government agencies and non-government actors’, especially non-governmental organisations, civil organisations, the private sector and academics.”
Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew highlighted that over the past three years, the world has been reminded of how critical it is to reach the 2030 agenda.
“The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to every socioeconomic aspect. The world including our country saw how fragile vulnerable groups in society are, as a result of the economic and health crisis.” The pandemic, he noted, however presents tremendous opportunities, not only to overcome these difficulties but also to renew the commitment toward sustainable community, building back better and to avoid irreversible setbacks.
“I stand here, optimistic that we can go through this together, build up the resilience in our communities and support one another. This is one of the essences of the SDGs – to embrace the spirit of togetherness to ensure no one is left behind.”
He said since 2015, Brunei Darussalam has committed to playing a part in the global commitment in pursuing agenda 2030.
“One of the key messages emphasised in Brunei Darussalam’s first VNR report presented virtually at the high level political forum on Sustainable Development in 2020 is that we shall achieve the SDGs with our national vision, Brunei Vision 2035.”
Meanwhile, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore Karima El Korri in her keynote address highlighted potential bilateral cooperation between Brunei Darussalam and the United Nations toward achieving the 2030 Agenda.
Next year, Brunei Darussalam will deliver its second VNR, highlighting the achievements and challenges since the last one.
The PMO, as the national focal agency for monitoring the implementation of the SDGs, aims to document up-to-date data and information on SDGs progress as well as post pandemic recovery actions on key sectors in gaining back and re-accelerating decades of progress, the minister said.
Through the lens of public sector entities, the private sector and non-government organisations, he said, “We would have whole-of-nation stories in driving the sustainability agenda“.
