Expanding its presence and partnerships outreach in the region, the Pacific Community (SPC)’s Statistics for Development Division has opened a second base in Suva, Fiji.
A new home in the heart of Pacific regionalism, Statistics for Development’s Suva chapter joins the Nouméa-based team in advancing Pacific statistics, the new office providing greater representation and opportunities for engagement with members, donors and development partners.
The Suva section was formally opened last week with a launch event attended by in-country representatives of SPC’s members, national statistics offices, partners and dignitaries, hosted by Fiji-based colleagues who’ve relocated or recently joined.
Mr Kemueli Naiqama, Chief Executive of Fiji Bureau of Statistics, was invited to share a welcome and opening remarks on the new hub as host country and head of a member national statistics office, speaking to the importance of an impartial, quality statistics programme for evidence-led policy.
Ms Andie Fong Toy, Head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Subregional Office for the Pacific, spoke at the launch event on collaboration toward collective goals with the partners in attendance.
These included the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, UN Women, UN Population Fund (UNFPA), UN Development Programme and UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the World Health Organization, International Labour Organization, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Oceania Customs Organisation, International Organization for Migration, Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, joined by SPC Director-General Dr Stuart Minchin, SPC’s Divisional Directors and Melanesia Regional Office.
Leading Statistics for Development in Suva as the Division’s Deputy Director, SPC’s Ms Evelyn Wareham spoke to the history and future of Pacific statistics, and SPC’s long presence in the region.
“The Statistics for Development Division of SPC started in 1947 and our archives stretch back to SPC’s foundation, demonstrating our enduring commitment to supporting statistics across the Pacific.
“We have been growing rapidly over the past five years as we step up to support our member countries and territories in addressing their challenges, supported by donors and technical partners.
“Our second base in Suva will enable us to expand our representation. Being here is a great opportunity to strengthen our partnerships with our national, regional and international partners that are based in Fiji, as well as those who come together here in this meeting place of the Pacific.”
In Suva are based people working on statistics governance and coordination, economic statistics, census and survey innovations, and civil registration and vital statistics. The Division will continue to operate as one team, Ms Wareham says.
“Like always, our people continue to work on the ground supporting our members across our Blue Pacific Continent—and as the calls for regional goals and collaboration increases, the need for timely and comprehensive statistics at the regional level is intensifying.
“Pacific statistics have come a long way in the last decade, but there is still further to go to keep up with available technology and demand for an ever-broader scope of coverage.
“The Strategic Framework for Pacific Statistics has a vision that all Pacific peoples, economies and environments benefit from better data and evidence-based decision-making to empower resilient development, and this is the guiding compass for our collective work.”
