The Role of Statistical Information Systems In Achieving Sustainable Development Strategies Sudan as a model

Abstract

There are different definitions to the concept of sustainable development (SD) in circulation. In development thinking (SD) is defined as the development that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, whereas environmental economists defined (SD) in terms of non- depletion of natural capital, while in economic thinking (SD) is a non-declining of capital to maintain development overtime and to achieve the well being of the society, where in the social context sustainable development is about equity between and within generations. The main objectives of this research is to analyze the main challenges that constrain Sudan to achieve sustainable development, and to examine the role of statistical information in achieving sustainable development strategies. Therefore, the problem of this research has two sides: the first one is that what are the main challenges to achieve sustainable development in Sudan? The second side is that: what are the main factors impede statistical information systems to provide the accurate, timely, and reliable information for planning and decision making processes in concern with sustainable development policies. The study uses the questionnaire as a method to collect data from a purposive selected sample from four governments agencies (Bank of Sudan, Ministry of Finance, NBS, and Forestry National Corporation). Descriptive and conductive methods of analysis have been employed for data analysis and to test the Proposed research hypotheses . The study concluded with the following main results : 1- There is a positive role of statistical information to enhance sufficient cooperation and coordination between different government units to engage in sustainable development strategies. 2- Lack of consistency and cooperation between different government units in concern with statistical information, insufficient financial resources provided to NBS, lack of transparency in obtaining the required information, are the most important factors that impede NBS to provide the accurate, reliable information for sustainable development strategies . 3- The creation of a national database, developing effective institutions for SD, investment in human beings, awareness about statistical information, and effective participation of community organizations and high level commitment, are the most effective requirements to achieve sustainable development strategies. 4- The study showed that there is statistically significant correlation relationship between insufficient financial resources, and poor technological infrastructure used, and the inability of NBS to provide the required information for sustainable development strategies. The study recommended with the following: cooperation, coordination between different government units in concern with sustainable development is always required, that is through establishment of a system approach to integrate the economic, social, environmental systems of sustainability. It is necessary to provide suitable financial resources to the statistical information systems to take their actual role in the achievement of sustainable development strategies. creation of National Database is important as a source of information for different groups including stakeholders, the governments, public organizations, and Sudan commercial–investment partners. In addition to that it enable planners, decision makers to manage efficiently the country valuable resources .