In 2014, as world leaders prepared to launch the Sustainable Development Goals, it was clear that too many people remained invisible in the data. Without better information, countries could not measure progress, communities could not hold leaders to account, and development risks would remain hidden. At the time, I led the writing of what became the landmark UN report, A World That Counts, a call to mobilize a global data revolution so that every life and every contribution would be counted.
The real legacy wasn’t only the report, it was the coalition we built while writing it. The mix of people, ideas and energy created something entirely new. It planted the seed that grew into the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data, launched at the UN General Assembly in 2015.
Ten years on, I am astounded at just how much we have achieved. Our network has grown to more than 700 partners across 50+ countries. Together, we’ve catalyzed 81 high-level political and financial commitments to data and brokered more than 180 partnerships to strengthen data systems and deliver data solutions.
As I hand over the baton as CEO, I am more certain than ever of the critical importance of data as a tool for building a better world, and that partnerships are the way to get the data we need. I’m equally confident about the strength of the Global Partnership and our network to continue to deliver on that. Because we know what works.
Three defining decisions shaped who we are and remain central to our value in today’s complex development environment.
Secure political leadership early
From day one, we knew that this work needed political leadership as much, if not more, than technical expertise. Recruiting a high-level Board to guide and support our mission has been critical. Over the years, board members have included Vice Presidents of Ghana—Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and H.E Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang—and I have been hugely grateful for the steadfast commitment and support of the UN Deputy Secretary General, Amina J. Mohammed. In a large part, it is thanks to their confidence, support, and political engagement, and that of so many other political leaders at global, national and local levels, that the Global Partnership has been able to make such a significant contribution to the data revolution.
Broker where data meets decisions
We’ve always cared most about data use, focusing less on the frontier of new innovations and more on what it takes to get timely and reliable data into decisions that can change lives. That meant brokering coalitions, building trust between institutions, and doing the steady, necessary work so evidence becomes institutionalized into systems and informs policy and practice—not just pilots. We focused on matching products to problems, putting them to work where they are most needed.
For example, at Festival de Datos 2023, conversations with Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) and national partners led to an innovative partnership to build local capacities in open-source mapping and technologies for environmental monitoring in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Crowdsource expertise and evidence
In 2015, I could not have imagined how data and technology would evolve over the decade to come: from smart tech to cloud computing, big data, and AI. Back then, satellite, mobile, and citizen data were relevant only to a minority of pioneers, but a decade later, this data is mainstream, hugely expanding the insights statistics can offer.
The incredible pace of the development of these data and technologies only turbocharged the value and importance of data and reinforced the need for more and better data to harness its potential to drive sustainable development.
Keeping up the pace and turning opportunity into practice has been possible because of our network’s cross-sector expertise. We’ve learned to crowdsource knowledge, surface what works, and spread it across countries.
In Kenya, with Africa’s Voices and county partners, we piloted an initiative to use citizen data to gather and distribute information on antimicrobial resistance. Working with local civil society organizations and communities to gather data, and building capacities of government and statisticians to analyse and use this data, helped Kenya turn citizen input into usable evidence in near real time.
Turning momentum into transformation
There is a real opportunity to treat national data systems as critical infrastructure for equitable development and for the responsible use of AI. Through the Power of Data, we’re working to align political leadership and data investment around national priorities, mobilizing our network to scale what works. Evidence shows investments in data systems pay off—$32 in social and economic returns for every $1 invested. Few investments come close to that kind of impact - a compelling case in an era of tight budgets. And our network’s breadth means we can replicate success faster across regions and sectors.
So here’s my call to action for the next decade:
- To governments: Treat data and statistics as core infrastructure. Make cross-government data flows the norm, with clear safeguards and public engagement. Invest in leadership and skills so evidence informs decisions every day, not only in a crisis.
- To funders: Back national data systems for the long term, align funding to country-led priorities, and fund the 'plumbing' that lets innovations scale. The returns are real.
- To civil society, academia, and media: Co-create inclusive evidence and hold institutions accountable. Help embed community agency in how data is collected and used.
Power in partnership
The work we have done over the past decade has helped lift data up the political agenda, shown the power of partnerships, and delivered real impact to lives around the world. As the Global Partnership enters a new era, I’m confident in the ability of the organization and the network to continue to catalyze change. The values that brought us here—practical optimism, intellectual honesty, and a commitment to inclusion—are embedded in our team and our partners. And I will remain one of many champions of this work.
When we built the Global Partnership, the goal was simple: make better decisions possible and accountable to the people they affect. Ten years on, we’ve gone from idea to movement, and from pilot to global momentum. The work is more urgent than ever, but also more achievable than ever. If we align political will, capacities, and partnerships, we can change the course of development. I’m grateful for how far we’ve come, and I’m deeply optimistic about what comes next.
