Data Blog

In line with the recommendations of the UN Secretary-General's Report of the High-level Panel on Digital Cooperation, as well as the Secretary-General's Data Strategy, this blog aims to foster a multi-disciplinary exchange of ideas on the topic of data. In this space, data experts and data champions will share their experiences and perspectives on topics such as data strategy, literacy, policy, governance, open data, privacy, ethics, AI, and more. Through this exchange of ideas, OICT ultimately hopes to contribute to a diverse and inclusive data culture.

Thank you for visiting this space. Questions related to this blog can be sent to unite@un.org.

Recent Blog Posts

22 May 2020

By Mahsa Hedayati and Amanda Wang, Information System Officers, Policy, Strategy and Governance Division, OICT

The topic of privacy is gaining momentum in the mainstream big data discourse. Governments, policy makers, businesses, academics, and civil society are increasingly reflecting on how to strike the right balance between the potential benefits of exponential data collection and discovery, on the one hand, and the protection and privacy of data subjects, on the other hand.  

24 April 2020

By Syed Ahmed, Senior Manager of Business Systems, Operations Support Division, UN Office of Information and Communications Technology

My team and I lead self-service analytics initiatives in the United Nations and our work has helped transform the Organization’s approach to data. I believe that as the UN continues to make analytics platforms available to mostly non-technical business users, the value proposition for effective data governance is imperative.

21 February 2020

By Francesca Perucci, Chief of the Development Data and Outreach Branch and Luis Gonzalez Morales, Chief of the Web Development and Data Visualization Unit, Statistics Division, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs 

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development puts data and statistics at the center of national and global action. But to unleash the full potential of data to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), all stakeholders must be more collaborative and integrated. This is because no single entity can control all the data that is required to implement and monitor progress towards achieving the Global Goals and leaving no one behind.

23 January 2020 

By Greg Ogolla, Data Visualization and Reporting Lead, Policy, Strategy and Governance Division, Office of Information and Communications Technology

The Office of Information and Communications Technology’s Policy, Strategy and Governance Division (PSGD) is responsible for developing Secretariat-wide policy, strategy and governance standards for information and communications technology (ICT).

23 December 2019

By Katelyn Rogers and Lisa Peterson, Data Literacy Co-Lead, Centre for Humanitarian Data, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

There has been a rapid and significant shift in the role data plays in all of our work, with virtually every aspect shaped by data. Everyone in the United Nations community is working with and using data in some capacity.