Devex: Solutions to the big data challenge at the U.N. World Data Forum
“Big data offers promises to better support and facilitate the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals. And Robert Kirkpatrick, the director of United Nations Global Pulse, believes big data is what governments will need to achieve the SDGs. Yet the information collected on a daily basis from millions, through wearable fitness monitors, mobile phones, or social media giants, is often taken without public knowledge and comes with a raft of complications. Speaking at the session ‘Big Data for Sustainable Development: What does it take to get to the next level?’ at the U.N. World Data Forum, Kirkpatrick said that data misuse, and its possibility, is harming progress on big data…” (Cornish, 10/23).

U.N. News: Many deaths can be avoided with better data: U.N. deputy chief
“Speaking at the opening session of the U.N. World Data Forum on Monday, Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed highlighted the life-saving impact that data can have, noting that better data and forecasting could have averted many deaths from natural disasters. … The United Nations, said Ms. Mohammed, is leading global efforts to integrate data and information systems…” (10/22).