UNDP STRATEGIC DATA INITIATIVES.

Data is in every aspect of our lives. Online, we read emails, store lists of contacts, like social media posts, and share photos and videos. Offline, we clock in and out of work, register for government services, and tell the doctor how we feel.


We simply consume data and leave traces of our own data in every minute of our day. That’s why it has been referred to as the new plutonium. It’s both incredibly powerful and dangerous if misused. If used responsibly and ethically, data is a precious resource that can scale up economic development and improve millions of lives.


Data has made monitoring and improving development projects better than ever. It informs policies and steers funding to focus on populations that need it the most.

DATA & UNDP’S DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION:

The UNDP Strategic Data Initiatives team, in coordination with the Global Policy Network and IT Management Office, focuses on formulating UNDP’s data strategy and data policies, while upholding the organisation’s data principles throughout the organisation’s digital transformation.

UNDP’s Data Principles

UNDP’s eight Data Principles outline a framework to manage data responsibly, while putting human rights and privacy at the core of all its activities for the benefit of people and planet. 

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UNDP’s Data Strategy Pillars

To operationalize its Data Principles, UNDP is developing a corporate data strategy to accelerate its transformation into a data-driven organisation.

Data Support for Member States

Development Data Partnership

UNDP is a founding member of the Development Data Partnership. This World Bank-led initiative brings together multilateral financial institutions, development agencies, and technology companies through a dedicated portal that facilitates sourcing third-party data to support high-impact development projects.

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New Data Sources for Policymaking

UNDP is partnering with GIZ to develop a playbook for policymakers on the use of non-traditional data sources to inform decision-making. The playbook will be coupled with a dedicated policymakers’ community of practice that focuses on sharing their experiences, challenges, and success stories about the use of new data sources. The project is planned to be piloted in Mauritania and Moldova.

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Data Support for Member States

National Data Strategy Development

A well-established data ecosystem is crucial to protect citizens’ rights, unlock public-private investments in sustainable digital infrastructure, and ensure the inclusion of vulnerable communities like women, rural communities, and marginalized groups. To fully leverage the potential of data, UNDP supports governments in developing their national data strategies, by providing advisory guidance on data management with a human rights and ethics lens, building capacities, and addressing cybersecurity risks.

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National AI Readiness Assessment

We are building an AI Readiness Assessment to provide insights into member-states' level of AI understanding and capacity, implementation and evaluation. using indicators such as governance, ethics, infrastructure and transparency in user countries.

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UNDP Data Futures Platform

The Data Futures platform is a global knowledge driver that strives to empower decision-makers and development partners. It provides access to data, tools, and insights that advance integrated solutions to global challenges in line with the 2030 Agenda.

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data futured platform