The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) officially launched the ‘Data 4 Development’ online monitoring platform on Thursday (June 22) at the Marriott Courtyard Hotel in Kingston.

This platform aims to enhance the use of data and statistics for analysis, monitoring, and evaluation by all stakeholders involved in Jamaica’s development.

Developed by the Government of Jamaica in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the platform seeks to advance the Vision 2030 Jamaica National Development Plan and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

It will strengthen the PIOJ’s capacity to support policy development, align planning and development financing, and manage public investment.

In his speech, Dr Wayne Henry, director general of the PIOJ, emphasised that the platform promotes evidence-based decision-making among stakeholders responsible for policy formulation, planning, financing, and program implementation. He highlighted its significance in advancing integrated results-based management, led by the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, PIOJ, and the Cabinet Office.

“The Data 4 Development Online Monitoring Platform facilitates the translation of data and statistics into evidence targeted at addressing specific development problems,” stated Dr. Henry. He further emphasised the platform’s role in institutional capacity-building and supporting national and sector plans, resource efficiency, and the empowerment of Jamaicans at home and abroad.

The platform will be instrumental in several key areas, including improved results-based national development policy and planning, alignment of development financing with the national agenda, and results-based monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning.

Dr. Henry acknowledged that the journey to the platform’s launch began in 2019 with the support of the UNDP project ‘Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through Vision 2030 Jamaica.’ The initial development phase involved creating an integrated database of development indicators and associated time series data.

The PIOJ has made significant investments in expanding the platform, including the installation of a Data Visualiser to enhance data usage, the creation of a Local Development Dashboard for parish-level data, and the development of a resource library for Vision 2030 Jamaica and the SDGs. Dr. Henry also mentioned that ongoing upgrades and additional functionalities are underway.

UNDP Resident Representative, Denise Antonio, commended the platform’s central role in monitoring Jamaica’s progress towards the SDGs and Vision 2030 Jamaica. She praised the platform’s user-friendly interface and data accessibility, which caters to a wide range of stakeholders. Antonio emphasised that the platform ushers PIOJ’s monitoring, evaluation, and planning efforts into the digital era.

The ‘Data 4 Development’ Online Monitoring Platform is now available for policymakers, planners, sector specialists, researchers, academics, students, decision-makers, development partners, implementers, and citizens to access and utilise. Interested individuals can visit the information portal at https://data4development.gov.jm/.