Through Peer Reviews on Development Finance Statistics, members of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and the OECD jointly assess how countries collect, report and disseminate data on their development co-operation. These reviews help countries respond to the increasing demand for comprehensive, reliable and accessible statistics on development finance, in a context of frequent changes to reporting requirements, staff-turnover and often complex, decentralised reporting systems. Sida’s quality assurance process and its openness to sharing its experience and good practices are commendable. It needs to raise awareness among staff that development co-operation activities are not by default ODA-eligible. Sida’s team may also need additional support to absorb expanding tasks in statistics (e.g. SDGs, etc.). Sweden could consider dedicating resources to creating a new statistical reporting system. Progress on monitoring development co-operation in support of the SDGs is commendable and Sweden is encouraged to report on the SDG focus of its activities to the Creditor Reporting System (CRS); harmonise the data it publishes in various systems (openaid.se, CRS, etc.); and collaborate more closely with its well-informed CSO community to enhance transparency, in particular of peace and security activities.
