BELMOPAN, Belize, CMC – The one-day Excessive-Degree Advocacy Discussion board on Statistics ended right here on Monday with a warning that with a rising demand for knowledge from each official and non-traditional sources, the 15-member Caribbean Group (CARICOM) grouping should be certain that its members are able to producing up-to-date, correct, related and complete knowledge.
“I’m certain you’ll agree that regardless of the numerous strides, there may be nonetheless an extended journey forward,” stated CARICOM Deputy Secretary Normal Dr. Armstrong Alexis.
The discussion board introduced collectively policymakers, authorities ministers, stakeholders in regional statistics, together with representatives of nationwide statistics places of work, and statistics customers.
By panel discussions, the contributors examined, amongst different subjects, the significance of statistics in sustainable nationwide and regional growth, the impression of technological developments on the sector, the progress of the Regional Technique for the Growth of Statistics (RSDS), and the political dedication to motion plans on statistics.
The discussion board has additionally resulted within the official launch of a collection of occasions in Belize that target statistics, together with the CARICOM Inhabitants and Housing Census Symposium on Tuesday, the forty ninth Assembly of the Standing Committee of Caribbean Statisticians on Wednesday and Thursday, and the 14th CARICOM Regional Analysis Seminar on November 8.
Armstrong stated the CARICOM RSDS originated from the Motion Plan for Statistics, through which Caribbean leaders agreed on the necessity for a regional method to statistical growth to optimize scarce sources and strengthen Nationwide Statistical Programs (NSS) in member states.
Throughout this week’s engagements, he stated, “We’ll sharply concentrate on the mandate of the Excessive-Degree Advocacy Discussion board on Statistics to carry the statistics profile and garner political and different help for its growth in CARICOM.
“Our conversations this week will mark yet one more milestone alongside the journey which began on the second Excessive-Degree Advocacy Discussion board in 2014 when the Motion Plan for Statistics was drafted and has since led to the CARICOM RSDS.”
Armstrong stated that the Third Excessive-Degree Advocacy Discussion board, held in 2019, set the stage for implementing the RSDS and superior areas comparable to management and administration within the context of the RSDS and selling using statistics and statistical literacy by means of the RSDS.
He stated that whereas the Fourth Excessive-Degree Advocacy Discussion board guarantees to be very partaking, we have to transcend rhetoric and be certain that statisticians have alternatives to advertise the implementation of the strategic framework of the CARICOM RSDS and prioritize funding in statistics.
“I’m hopeful that by means of your efforts, our area’s decision-makers will embrace statistics and supply sensible help by allocating the wanted monetary, human, and materials help to the sector.
“It’s no secret that our Nationwide Statistical Places of work (NSOs) and the broader Nationwide Statistical Programs (NSS) want consideration to modernize and rework their operations if they’re to provide well timed, related, and on the whole high-quality statistics,” he added.
Andre Richards, the liaison specialist with the United Nations Inhabitants Fund (UNFPA), stated the discussion board represented a useful alternative to replicate upon and advance the shared dedication to strong, inclusive, and clear knowledge programs that propel sustainable growth throughout the Caribbean Area.
“In right now’s interconnected world, statistics function the bedrock of decision-making processes, coverage formation, and measuring progress towards our regional and world objectives, together with the Sustainable Growth Objectives (SDGs).
“Information, when harnessed successfully, is a robust device that allows us to deal with the Caribbean’s distinctive challenges, starting from financial and social inequality to local weather resilience, well being fairness, and youth empowerment,” he added.
Richards stated that dependable knowledge is on the core of UNFPA’s mandate to make sure sexual and reproductive well being, gender equality, and the rights of girls and younger folks.
“By knowledge, we will higher help every nation in growing inclusive insurance policies, given important demographic modifications, that improve all its residents’ well being, well-being, and potential.
“Allow us to keep in mind that statistics are greater than numbers; they’re a robust narrative about our shared journey towards fairness, alternative, and resilience. Allow us to proceed to advocate for knowledge programs which are inclusive, modern, and able to evolving with the wants of our Area.”
For her half, Dr. Terri-Ann Gilbert-Roberts, the analysis supervisor, Social Coverage Growth, Workplace of the Secretary-Normal, on the London-based Commonwealth Secretariat, stated evidence-based policymaking is on the coronary heart of the Commonwealth’s 56 member states’ shared pursuit of Sustainable Growth Objectives (SDGs).
“With out knowledge, we can not assess our progress and stay accountable. So, this Yr of Statistics creates a particular alternative to extend stakeholder consciousness of the worth of utilizing statistics to advance optimistic growth outcomes for the Caribbean folks.”
She stated the Commonwealth understands first-hand the worth of statistics and continues championing data-driven decision-making.
She referred to the 2023 world Youth Growth Index (YDI), which permits for monitoring the progress of youth growth in 183 international locations, together with 10 CARICOM international locations.
“It’s notably gratifying that the 2023 YDI highlights the progress of small states. Globally, Singapore has retained its spot as the highest nation in general youth growth. Whereas the common rating of CARICOM international locations has improved steadily over the past 12 years, with Barbados, St. Lucia, and Belize that includes amongst prime international locations on numerous indicators,” she added.
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