Celebrating Progress: Commit to Data Debuts at the 2024 UN World Data Forum
As 2024 draws to a close, we’re reflecting on a powerful year for the Commit to Data (C2D) initiative—one that brought our community together to champion smarter, more sustainable investments in data. With the start in Medellín, C2D continues to grow as a movement grounded in action, partnerships, and accountability, with eyes ahead towards Riyadh.
This year, Commit to Data made its official debut at the UN World Data Forum (UNWDF) in Medellín, Colombia, running alongside the Forum for the first time. With a vibrant booth, curated takeovers by the Gender Data Network and Bloomberg Philanthropies, and a dedicated poster exhibition, we spotlighted dozens of new and renewed commitments by countries, organizations, and partners.
The initiative was also front and center in the Forum’s high-level sessions. UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed opened the Forum welcoming C2D:
C2D’s visibility throughout the Forum—including in plenaries, technical panels, and networking events—reinforced that the global data community is united in its call for action.
One of the week’s highlights was our interactive poster session, where partners shared stories of progress and ambition. [GASTAT colleague], host of the upcoming 2026 UNWDF, joined to discuss how commitments made in Medellín will carry forward through the “Road to Riyadh.”
To celebrate these milestones, we’re excited to share:
- 📽 C2D Highlights Video - Relive moments from Medellín, from the booth to plenaries
- 📊 Commit to Data – By the Numbers – See the initiative’s achievements since launch
- 📄 The Medellín Framework – The official outcome document, embedding C2D priorities
Thank you to all who committed, collaborated, and showed up in Medellín. The work continues—and together, we’re building a more inclusive and impactful future for data development.