As custodian agencies of SDG Indicator 16.4.1, UNODC and UNCTAD have developed a programme of coordinated actions to develop, review and test a statistical methodology to measure illicit financial flows (IFFs). The goal is to develop methodologies and guidelines that can be used at national and international level to estimate the SDG indicator and IFFs in general.

The meeting will bring together Task Force members to develop statistical definitions and methodologies in adherence with the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics. The work builds on previous expert consultations, held by UNODC and UNCTAD, and the expertise of the Task Force members representing different international organisations and government agencies, such as central banks, statistical offices, customs and tax authorities. The aim of the meeting is to develop the statistical measurement framework on IFFs and prepare guidance for the compilation of statistics on IFFs, including SDG indicator 16.4.1.

The resulting proposals for statistical definitions and measurement methodologies for IFFs will be debated among stakeholders in the course of work and finally agreed upon by the members of the United Nations Statistical Commission.