Empowering Pacific SIDS Through Enhanced Statistical Systems - Development Account 14th Tranche Project on Statistics and Data

24 June - 5 July - In a significant advancement for the sustainable development of Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA) has made remarkable strides in bolstering the statistical capacities of these nations. Through a series of collaborative efforts, its Statistics Division (UNSD), jointly with ESCAP, the Pacific Community (SPC), and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), have significantly enhanced how Pacific SIDS collect, analyze, and utilize data, aligning them with global standards and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
 

Our joint journey took a notable step forward during the recent Thematic Conference for Pacific SIDS held from 24 to 26 June in Nadi, Fiji. This event, a testament to the strength of our partnership, brought together representatives from nine Pacific SIDS to discuss the modernization and relevance of their statistical systems in a rapidly evolving data ecosystem. The conference underscored the critical role of accurate, timely, and reliable statistics in supporting evidence-based policymaking and sustainable development.

Following this, an advisory mission to Apia, Samoa, from 28 June to 2 July provided targeted support to enhance national statistical legislation. This mission, in collaboration with the Samoa Bureau of Statistics (SBS) and the World Bank, emphasized the importance of updated statistical laws to integrate new data sources, improve governance, engage with users and the broader data community, and maintain high standards of data confidentiality and professional independence. The mission culminated in a high-level workshop on 2 July, where more than 100 stakeholders gathered to underscore the importance of official statistics and the upcoming amendments to the statistical legislation. 

 

“The legislative review is a crucial component of the Samoa Statistics Strategy 2022-2026.” 

– Honourable Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo, Minister of Women, Community, and Social Development, Samoa

On July 4, jointly with ESCAP and the Fiji Bureau of Statistics (FBOS), Fiji was welcomed as a target country of the DA14 Statistics and Data Project, which further exemplified our commitment to enhancing statistical capacities in Pacific SIDS. This multi-stakeholder event in Suva gathered more than 50 participants and marked the beginning of a significant initiative aimed at developing climate change-related statistics supported by a sound national quality assurance framework, vital for addressing emerging economic, social, and environmental needs.

Building on these successes, UN-DESA is committed to further engagements, including workshops and advisory missions aimed at fostering an environment where informed policymaking and effective governance thrive on reliable and timely data. These initiatives are crucial for emphasizing the importance of modern statistical practices and regulatory frameworks, ensuring that all SIDS can achieve sustainable and inclusive development.

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For more information, please visit the UNSD website: Thematic Conference for Pacific SIDS and the Government of Samoa website: high level workshop