New UN system platform puts millions of data points at users’ fingertips, says Guterres
The UN launched the UN System Data Commons, a single platform aggregating 44 million data points from 26 UN entities to improve access to trusted global statistics for policymakers and researchers.
The United Nations has introduced the UN System Data Commons, a new online platform designed to consolidate publicly available data and statistics from across the UN system into one accessible gateway. Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the platform’s role in addressing global challenges by making trusted data easier to find, noting that behind every statistic lies human impact. The portal, accessible via data.un.org, enables users to search nearly 44 million data points using everyday language, explore trends, and trace information back to its original source. Guterres emphasized that access to UN knowledge should not depend on navigating complex organizational structures.
The launch follows concerns about the reliability of information amid the rise of artificial intelligence, with Guterres warning that unreliable data and misinformation can fill gaps where trusted facts are scarce. He stressed that AI-generated answers depend on the quality of underlying data, underscoring the platform’s role in ensuring the UN’s authoritative information remains accessible and verifiable. The platform also allows researchers and developers to integrate UN data directly into their own tools through shared interfaces. Guterres described the initiative as part of the UN80 reform efforts, aiming to demonstrate how shared infrastructure can deliver results more efficiently than isolated efforts.
Under-Secretary-General for Policy Guy Ryder emphasized that while the UN system produces some of the world’s most trusted public data, its value is often diminished when dispersed across multiple platforms. The UN System Data Commons addresses this by centralizing access without replacing existing platforms, aligning with their terms of use. Ryder noted that bringing this public good into one place helps people turn authoritative data into better-informed decisions. The platform’s design reflects the UN80 initiative’s goals of improving efficiency and accessibility across the organization.
Guterres framed the platform as a tool to support countries, inform decisions, and strengthen outcomes for people worldwide, calling it “reform people can use.” He reiterated that trusted evidence should not remain behind institutional barriers but should be within reach of those working toward a more peaceful, sustainable, and just world. The Secretary-General concluded that the platform’s success will be measured by its impact on global support, decision-making, and results for communities facing interconnected crises.