This commitment aims to address the challenge of limited capacity in countries (especially LLMICS) for producing the SDG indicators under FAO custodianship, and thus enable countries to generate reliable, high-quality data necessary for informed decision-making. Funded through a blend of different sources i.e. Flexible Voluntary Contributions (USD 0.5 Million) and FAO Regular Programme resources (USD 1.261 Million), the commitment aims at enhancing the technical skills, knowledge, and institutional capabilities of National Statistical Offices (NSOs), Ministries of Agriculture (MoAs), and other relevant national institutions. It focuses on delivering tailored capacity development through both conventional and innovative modalities, such as targeted technical assistance and specialized training. The commitment further provides expert guidance and financial resources to help countries overcome specific challenges in their understanding of the SDG indicator methodologies, data collection, analysis, and reporting. These efforts equip national stakeholders with the tools needed to manage, produce, and use accurate, granular data, resulting in a culture of data-driven decision-making. By strengthening national capacities, the commitment ultimately promotes more informed policy decisions and advancement toward Agenda 2030.

Key Activities:

• - Technical Assistance: Provide tailored support to National Statistical Offices (NSOs), Ministries of Agriculture (MoAs) of beneficiary countries, and other relevant institutions to improve data collection and reporting processes through a demand-driven approach that addresses the specific needs of stakeholders.
• - Training Programs: Conduct specialized training sessions using different modalities for stakeholders to enhance their skills in data production, management, analysis, and reporting.
• - Innovative Tools: Implement the Shiny app to facilitate real-time tracking of SDG progress and promote its integration into national reporting frameworks.
• - Partnership Development: Strengthen existing partnerships and forge new collaborations with organizations such as UN-Women, UNECA, UNECLAC, and other international institutions to leverage their expertise and resources
• Strategies:
• - Evidence-Based Policymaking: Support countries by building their capacities in generating granular data that informs decision-making processes and enhances the quality of national policies.
• - Focus on Disaggregation: Promote methodologies for disaggregating data to ensure comprehensive analysis across various segments of the population, enabling targeted policymaking.
• - International Collaboration: Facilitate collaboration among UN agencies and multilateral institutions to mobilize complementary technical and financial resources for enhanced SDG implementation.
• Intended Outcomes:
• - Improved Data Quality: Increase the availability of reliable, high-quality data for underreported SDG indicators.
• - Enhanced Reporting: Strengthen national and global SDG reporting through improved data availability and accompanied data reporting practices.
• - Informed Policy Decisions: Enable countries to make data-driven decisions that advance development in their agriculture sector.
• - Dissemination and Publications: Ensure the publication of FAO’s 2025 SDG Progress Report, contributing to improved global and national monitoring of SDG progress.

To monitor progress and evaluate the success of this commitment, FAO has established a robust reporting mechanism. This includes comprehensive logframes with clearly defined targets, milestones, and key performance indicators (KPIs) that enable regular tracking of relevant objectives and outputs. Progress is monitored through bi-weekly and monthly meetings, with results presented in progress reports at various project milestones. Additionally, consolidated results are included in year-end and terminal reports.

The commitment is further supported by comprehensive monitoring and evaluation processes that assess the effectiveness of our capacity development initiatives on national SDG monitoring and reporting. Regular internal and external audits are in place to ensure transparency and accountability in resource utilization and implementation effectiveness.

Additionally, ongoing data collection and analysis inform decision-making and identify areas for improvement. Continuous engagement with stakeholders, including NSOs and MoAs, allows for feedback to be incorporated and strategies to be adjusted as needed. Together, these mechanisms ensure a thorough evaluation of progress and facilitate data-driven decisions to enhance the commitment's overall impact.