New technologies are leading to an exponential increase in the volume and types of data available, creating unprecedented possibilities for informing and transforming society and protecting the environment. Data has been described as the lifeblood of decision making and the raw material for accountability. However, the data on financial flows and investment is dispersed and often incomplete. In particular, data on domestic investment, particularly by sector, is often limited. Some data is not publicly available, while in other areas data cannot be effectively used or aggregated.

On a country level, management of diverse financing flows is necessary for policymakers to promote stability and the long-term investment necessary for sustainable development. Increasing integration of data from multiple sources and improved data collection can strengthen decision making, as well as contribute to bolstering monitoring and accounting frameworks and reorienting them towards sustainable development.