Indicadores de Desarrollo Sostenible para el Ecuador: limitaciones para el monitoreo y evaluación

Abstract

Abstract: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a commitment to promote sustainability that nations made in 2015. However, measuring their achievement is complex in practice due to the lack of standardized methodologies and data availability. This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of monitoring SDG indicators in Ecuador. To this end, a qualitative methodology was applied based on a systematic review, in-depth interviews with key stakeholders from the academic, public, and international cooperation sectors, and data taken from the United Nations and publications of the National Institute of Statistics and Census. The results indicate that the INEC only has the information to monitor 50% of the indicators for 16 goals of the 2030 Agenda, since SDG 14 is not being monitored at all. SDG 9 is the best monitored based on the number of indicators fed with data. Experts' perceptions highlight the lack of coordination between the public and private sectors, the low technical or operational capacities of institutions responsible for processing and reporting information, and a lack of knowledge, which are considered the main limitations affecting monitoring. Finally, recommendations were made based on interviewees' responses and previous studies, which seek to improve the level of statistical bases and the quality of the methodologies applied to manage and report the indicators.