A/67/270 Development Goals placed key issues on the agenda that might have otherwise been neglected. As a result, most Governments, development banks and donors have attempted to deliver on what was agreed upon to measure: a limited number of priority areas for development. These areas have become the top priorities for national and international policymaking, budget allocations, and the targeting of development assistance. The seemingly aloof international framework has had a direct and concrete impact on people’s lives, their health and well-being. 15. The Millennium Development Goals were never intended as national goals; however, they have often been translated as such. Their impact on national policymaking and monitoring is undeniable. Monitoring at the national and global levels has distinct purposes, ideally complementary ones. While national-level monitoring serves for national policymaking, planning and financing, global monitoring speaks to the interest of the international community to determine whether progress on international agreed goals has been reached. It is more focused on identifying broad trends and recurrent themes across the globe — serving to put certain issues on the agenda and providing a platform for advocacy. Global monitoring also adds the element of comparability, hence setting incentives for States to make the same or better progress as neighbouring countries or States in a similar position. Despite these distinct monitoring purposes, the impact of the global framework in influencing national priorities cannot be underestimated. Issues that do not receive attention at the global level also tend to be disregarded in national policymaking. 16. Inequalities are present in every country across the globe, yet, they manifest themselves differently across regions and within countries. Some types of discrimination, such as those based on gender, age or disability status, are relevant across most, if not all, countries, while others — such as ethnic or related discrimination — can take varied shapes from country to country. Despite these country differences, inequalities and disparities are structural factors with direct impact in development, hence they cannot be left out from a global framework. While the specific groups may vary, patterns of marginalization, exclusion and discrimination are consistent across the world. Showing these patterns and trends across the world through global monitoring conveys a very powerful message and provides a tool to draw attention to the situation of the most disadvantaged and marginalized, helping to target efforts towards them. B. The power of data: delivering on what is measured 17. The target on water and sanitation, for example, has encouraged Governments to allocate resources towards improving access to water. In recent years, there is more attention to access to sanitation, in part owing to its notorious status as one of the ‘‘most off track’’ of the targets. Monitoring of issues such as open defecation has moved policymakers to recognize significant issues relating to dignity, health and human rights. Some Governments have initiated campaigns to eradicate open defecation practices. As such, in her country missions, the Special Rapporteur has observed that the monitoring of access to water and sanitation services has provided decisive information to encourage and convince Governments, policymakers and donors to revisit their policies and to engage more effectively with the water and sanitation sector, in order to ensure the provision of services. 6 12-45653