Statistical capacity development and the production of epistemic infrastructures

Abstract Designating statistical capacity development as a target for measurement in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) created dilemma decision-makers United Nations system, some saw inclusion of SDG17 “conflict interest,” making their work both goal SDGs and means to achieve them. In 2022, there are five indicators measuring individual countries support provided strengthen it, including one indicator country’s ability monitor themselves. this article, I argue that epistemic infrastructuring into SDG framework is privileged case. By parsing interconnections between data, actors, networks, processes constitute on national global levels, we can understand how central these materialities constituting larger policy agenda well debates over problems meant solve. Like all framework, performative – defined delineated by statistics community also helps define delineate framework’s problems. Unlike other indicators, however, have added weight producing conditions possibility “SDG itself.” way, what constitutes its strengthening about ownership agendas where tensions local erupt.