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Pacific leaders meet on regional statistics development and decisions in Vanuatu
Statistics leaders from 14 Pacific countries and territories—as well as representatives from 10 international development organisations, including the Pacific Community (SPC)—meet in Vanuatu next week to discuss the major statistical matters and decisions facing the region.
A week-long summit of regional governance meetings for development and key decisions in the Pacific statistics sector is being held in Port Vila, Vanuatu, from Monday 7th October—providing an opportunity for SPC’s members to share information, discuss common challenges, and explore opportunities for collaboration in national and regional statistics in the Pacific.
A Pacific-owned initiative coordinated by SPC, Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics is co-hosting the governance series which includes the fourteenth meeting of the Pacific Statistics Methods Board (PSMB14), fifth meeting of the Pacific Statistics Standing Committee (PSSC5), and sixth meeting of the Donor and Development Partners Group (DDPG6).
SPC’s Statistics for Development Division plays a leadership role in developing statistical skills and systems in the Pacific—providing both ‘hands-on’ assistance to national statistics offices, as well as a coordination and capacity development role, in support of economic and social development.
The opportunity to come together formally is important in light of the increasing demand for timely and accurate statistics for planning and policymaking, explains Mr Peter Ellis, Director of SPC’s Statistics for Development Division.
There is also a need for improved regional coordination among statistics partners, he says.
“The main purpose of strong statistics governance at the regional level is to ensure that member states, development partners and donors have in place a well-coordinated plan and programme for strengthening Pacific statistics,” Mr Ellis explains.
“We greatly appreciate the hospitality of our Vanuatu colleagues in co-hosting this year’s important meetings with SPC, which help us all row in the same direction and make best use of our resources.”
Multiple players, one strategy
The three groups meeting this week serve different, complementary roles in the region’s statistics governance, united around the region’s long-term statistics strategy, the Strategic Framework for Pacific Statistics.
The Pacific Statistics Methods Board (PSMB), meeting first in the week, provides oversight and guidance on statistical methods, systems and procedures used by Pacific Island countries and territories—ensuring these are in line with international best practices, while at the same time relevant to the local context.
The Pacific Statistics Standing Committee (PSSC), meeting next, is an official subsidiary body of the Heads of Planning and Statistics (HOPS) group who convene every two years. Meeting in the years HOPS does not, it serves an important role in the governance, coordination and monitoring of progress of the Strategic Framework for Pacific Statistics.
Finally, the week’s last meeting of the Donor and Development Partners Group (DDPG) provides a forum to facilitate a coordinated, strategic approach to international assistance and donor collaboration in the Pacific statistics sphere.
Ms Evelyn Wareham, Manager of Statistics Leadership, Governance and Use at SPC, says that the week-long conference also serves as an opportunity for statistics leaders in the region to connect and collaborate outside the formal governance fora, including on statistical innovation.
“Meeting with our statistics colleagues from across the Pacific brings the opportunity to showcase new methods, approaches and technology, share our knowledge, encourage the practical application of learning to real-world problems, and build a strong community,” says Ms Wareham.
“I’m looking forward to strengthening our network of Pacific government statisticians and development partners by providing space for exchanging ideas, talking about trends, and supporting each other’s work.”
Learn more
- Follow #PacificStats on SPC’s social networks
- Read about Pacific regional statistics governance.
For more information, please contact Ben Campion, Communications and Engagement Adviser at the Pacific Community's Statistics for Development Division | [email protected].