(Based on the press release published by the United Nations Guatemala office)
On June 10, 2026, the Government of Guatemala, together with agencies of the United Nations System in Guatemala, presented the Power of Data initiative to strengthen the country's capacity for evidence-based decision-making.
Guatemala took a decisive step towards modernizing its governance by officially launching the Power of Data, initiative, in coordination with government institutions, the United Nations system and multisectoral partners. The initiative seeks to strengthen the strategic use of data as a basis for public decision-making to promote more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable development.
During the launch, national authorities and representatives of international bodies agreed that the data constitute a fundamental pillar for policymaking. It was highlighted that the use of evidence allows for reducing risks, optimizing public investment, and ensuring that resources reach those who need it most, particularly in a context of fiscal constraints.
Read more, and watch the recording of the launch event (in Spanish) here.
The event included a high-level forum in which government representatives, international cooperation, and civil society exchanged experiences on the use of data for development, highlighting good practices and challenges in the national context. This included representatives from:
- Ministry of Economy
- National Institute of Statistics
- Ministry of the Interior
- Ministry of Finance
- Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance
- Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food
- Ministry of Social Development
- Secretariat of Planning and Programming of the Presidency
- Presidential Open and Electronic Government Committee
- United Nations Development Programme
- United Nations Population Fund
- United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs
- World Bank
- United Nations Children's Fund
- Partnership for Sustainable Development Data
The initiative reaffirmed that strengthening data systems is an enabling condition for sustainable, inclusive,, and evidence-based development. With this step, Guatemala laid the foundations for consolidating a more transparent, efficient and results-oriented State for the benefit of its entire population.
