Montenegro

Better data needed

Accurate data is needed to determine if the programmes being implemented are succeeding but many countries do not have the capacity to gather, analyze and disseminate accurate data. In its 2005 MDG progress report, the Government of Montenegro acknowledged that it lacked the capacity to collect the requisite statistical data in the field, “it has not been possible to derive figures at the regional level within Montenegro on the MDG goals, targets and indicators.” The government pledged to make an effort to fix that shortcoming before issuing its next report, “In the period to the next Millennium Development Goals Report the government will attempt to firm up on the statistics relating to the regional situation.” (page 6)

A 2006 MDG progress report for the Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States region revealed that the gathering of such data could be very helpful to states hoping to join the EU. The EU had accepted 10 new countries in 2004 and had done so partly because the bloc was confident that the candidate countries had developed the ability to gather, analyze and disseminate accurate data, “The experience of the new member states in this area, particularly in terms of building up statistical capacity to monitor progress, can be very useful for EU candidate and potential candidate countries.” (page 73)