Summary

The official 9th SDMX Global Conference Summary Report provides a synopsis of the plenary sessions highlighting the key points and outcomes. The report was prepared by the SDMX Secretariat and was approved by the SDMX Sponsors Committee on 28 February 2024.

Full report

Key insights

The closing panel session chaired by Rafael Schmidt (BIS, and chair of the SDMX Secretariat) reflected on the key learnings from the three days of presentations and discussions and examined the community’s aspirations for the future of SDMX at this time of enormous technological and social change.

Responding to the question of the most significant takeaways from the Conference, Abdulla Gozalov (UNSD) emphasised that SDMX is a remarkable enabler, particularly when it comes to its alignment with artificial intelligence, automated metadata translation, and data governance. He noted that, contrary to some perceptions, the presentations demonstrated that SDMX simplifies complex data management and makes data governance more manageable.

Alessandro Bonara (ECB) delved into the challenges posed by the increasing volumes and types of data, highlighting the need for SDMX to remain agile. In particular, the importance of adapting the SDMX framework to handle cloud data, big data and data lakes ensuring that it continues to remain relevant in an evolving data landscape.

Edgardo Greising (ILO) advocated for greater collaboration and unity within the SDMX community, focusing on interoperability and the value of the social capital in maintaining the vibrancy and dynamism of the community. He suggested the creation of a dedicated working group to enhance communication and capacity building.

Eric Anvar (OECD) underscored the need to nurture the social capital within the SDMX community and encouraged a shift towards a more user-centric approach. He also suggested aligning academic curricula with SDMX technologies to prepare the next generation of data professionals.

Marco Marini (IMF) brought the discussion to the importance of SDMX’s adaptability of the ever-evolving data landscape. He emphasised the role of innovation and data governance and how SDMX can provide a foundation for trusted data. In response to an audience question, Marco suggested focusing on user-centric applications to improve data dissemination, which can attract more stakeholders, including the private sector. Dr. Khalid Almutawah (Kingdom of Bahrain iGA) shared insights into the adoption of SDMX in the GCC area, highlighting the need for structural reform and curriculum adjustments to support SDMX technologies. He stressed the importance of defining roles and responsibilities in organisations working with SDMX.

Rafael Schmidt concluded by highlighting the significance of SDMX in the world of data management and governance and emphasising the need for continuous adaptation and collaboration to meet the evolving data needs and challenges. The panel agreed that the user-centric approach and focus on innovation and data governance provide a clear direction for the future of SDMX.