BELMOPAN, Belize, Nov 5, CMC – The one-day High Level Advocacy Forum on Statistics ended here on Monday with a warning that with a growing demand for data from both official and non-traditional sources, the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping must ensure that its members are capable of producing up-to-date, accurate, relevant and comprehensive data.
“I am sure you will agree with me that despite the significant strides, there is still a long journey ahead,” said CARICOM Deputy-Secretary General, Dr. Armstrong Alexis.
The forum brought together policy-makers, government ministers, stakeholders in regional statistics including representatives of national statistics offices, and users of statistics.
Through panel discussions, the participants examined the importance of statistics in sustainable national and regional development; the impact of technological advancements on the sector; the progress of the Regional Strategy for the Development of Statistics (RSDS); and the political commitment to action plans on statistics, among other topics.
The forum has also resulted in the official launch of a series of events in Belize that focus on statistics, including the CARICOM Population and Housing Census Symposium on Tuesday, the 49th Meeting of the Standing Committee of Caribbean Statisticians on Wednesday and Thursday and the 14th CARICOM Regional Research Seminar on November 8.
Armstrong said the the CARICOM RSDS originated from the Action Plan for Statistics, in which the Caribbean leaders agreed on the need for a regional approach to statistical development to optimise scarce resources and to strengthen National Statistical Systems (NSS) in member states.
He said during this week’s engagements, “we will place in sharp focus, the mandate of the High-Level Advocacy Forum on Statistics, which is to lift the profile of statistics and to garner political and other support for its development in CARICOM.
“Our conversations this week, will mark yet another milestone along the journey which started at the second High-Level Advocacy Forum in 2014 when the Action Plan for Statistics was drafted, and which has since led to the CARICOM RSDS.”
Armstrong said that the Third High-Level Advocacy Forum held in 2019, set the stage for the implementation of the RSDS and advanced areas such as leadership and management in the context of the RSDS and promoting the use of statistics and statistical literacy through the RSDS.
He said whilst the Fourth High-Level Advocacy Forum promises to be very engaging, there is the need to go beyond rhetoric and to ensure that as statisticians there are opportunities to promote the implementation of the strategic framework of the CARICOM RSDS and prioritise investment in statistics.
“I am hopeful that through your efforts, our Region’s decision-makers will embrace statistics and give practical support by allocating the needed financial, human and material support to the sector.
“It is no secret that our National Statistical Offices (NSOs) and the wider National Statistical Systems (NSS) are in need of attention to modernise and transform their operations if they are to produce timely, relevant and in general high-quality statistics,” he added.
The Liaison Specialist with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Andre Richards, said the forum represented an invaluable opportunity to reflect upon and advance the shared commitment to robust, inclusive, and transparent data systems that propel sustainable development across the Caribbean region.
“In today’s interconnected world, statistics serve as the bedrock of decision-making processes, policy formation, and the measurement of progress toward our regional and global goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Data, when harnessed effectively, is a powerful tool that enables us to address the unique challenges facing the Caribbean, challenges that range from economic and social inequality to climate resilience, health equity, and youth empowerment,” he added.
Richards said for UNFPA, reliable data is at the core of its mandate to ensure sexual and reproductive health, gender equality, and the rights of women and young people.
“Through the use of data, we can better support each nation in developing inclusive policies, in view of major demographic changes, that enhance the health, well-being, and potential of all its citizens.
“Let us remember that statistics are more than numbers; they are a powerful narrative about our shared journey toward equity, opportunity, and resilience. Let us continue to advocate for data systems that are inclusive, innovative, and capable of evolving with the needs of our region.”
For her part, Dr. Terri-Ann Gilbert-Roberts, the research manager, Social Policy Development, Office of the Secretary-General, at the London-based Commonwealth Secretariat, said evidence-based policymaking is at the heart of the Commonwealth’s 56 members states’ shared pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Without data we cannot assess our progress and remain accountable. So, this Year of Statistics creates a special opportunity to increase stakeholder awareness of the value of using statistics to advance positive development outcomes for the Caribbean people.”
She said the Commonwealth understands first-hand the value of statistics and continues to champion data-driven decision-making.
She made reference to the 2023 global Youth Development Index (YDI), which allows for monitoring the progress of youth development in 183 countries, including 10 CARICOM countries.
“It is particularly gratifying that the 2023 YDI highlights the progress of small states. Globally, Singapore has retained its spot as the top country on overall youth development. While, the average score of CARICOM countries has improved steadily over the last 12 years; with Barbados, St. Lucia and Belize feature among top countries on various indicators,” she added.
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