Scientific data is increasingly recognised as a critical element in development and the\u00a0 current COVID-19 pandemic has made it even more relevant to sustainable development. Given the magnitude of the pandemic\u2019s impact, we are beginning to appreciate in a\u00a0 greater way, the usefulness of timely and relevant statistics.<\/p>\n
The data being generated globally on new COVID-19 cases, active cases, deaths,\u00a0 recoveries and tests conducted, allows for the assessment of the direct impact on the\u00a0 health system of the countries and also facilitates useful country comparisons. The\u00a0 availability of such statistics is important in guiding the development and implementation\u00a0 of country policies on international travel to lower the risk of importing positive COVID-19\u00a0 cases and the potential for local spread of the virus. Ultimately, this data can help protect and save lives.<\/p>\n
The data being reported by countries to the World Health Organisation on COVID-19\u00a0 clearly demonstrates the relevance of the theme for this year\u2019s Caribbean and World\u00a0 Statistics Day \u2013\u00a0Connecting the World with Data we Can Trust<\/b>. In addition, countries\u00a0 have been using statistics to assess the economic impact of the virus and this is now<\/p>\n
helping to shape policies geared towards recovery and restoration.<\/p>\n
As we celebrate Caribbean Statistics Day on October 15, 2020 and World Statistics Day\u00a0 on October 20, it is an opportune time to recognise the work and the unwavering\u00a0 commitment of statisticians who provide us with critical data that fosters better decision making, even in the midst of a pandemic. Though not essential workers, we acknowledge\u00a0 the essential nature of your jobs. You continue to produce even during this difficult time,\u00a0 adapting your mode of operation to ensure that the collection and compilation of data\u00a0 occurs in a safe and secure environment.<\/p>\n
As the CARICOM Champion for Official Statistics, I am aware of the challenges you face\u00a0 with the lack of resources and inadequate investment in statistics. We must, as a region,\u00a0 resolve to change this if we intend to transform and modernise national and regional\u00a0 statistics systems, fill the huge data gap and satisfy the increasing demand for reliable\u00a0 data.<\/p>\n
The issues relating to statistics capacity are even more acute for Small Island Developing\u00a0 States (SIDS), which are predominantly faced with limited fiscal space and heightened vulnerabilities. I use this occasion to make a clarion call to governments to commit more\u00a0 to finding and allocating the requisite resources to invest in statistics. To the region\u2019s development partners, I appeal to you for greater funding and support to complement the\u00a0 limited resources of SIDS, as they pursue the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).<\/p>\n
We encourage development partners to support the CARICOM Regional Strategy for the\u00a0 Development of Statistics which was endorsed by all CARICOM leaders. This shared\u00a0 master plan emphasises the importance of statistics as the gateway to building resilience\u00a0 in CARICOM and achieving sustainable development through sound and trusted data.<\/p>\n
Specifically, support is being sought for the Resource Mobilisation Strategy, one of the\u00a0 accompanying frameworks of the RSDS, agreed to by Heads of Government and which\u00a0 will help secure better development outcomes in CARICOM SIDS, including reporting on\u00a0 the SDGs.<\/p>\n
I urge my fellow CARICOM leaders to remain committed to developing National\u00a0 Strategies for the Development of Statistics, that are grounded in the regional master plan to help optimise investments in statistics. The international community and the private\u00a0 sector are encouraged to play a greater role in national statistical development by funding\u00a0 elements of these national strategies where available or countries\u2019 statistical work\u00a0 programmes.<\/p>\n
As we observe Caribbean Statistics Day, it is an opportune time to issue a reminder to statistics agencies \u2013 as you continue to produce statistics, you are upholding the United\u00a0 Nations Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics, the 10 principles that connect official\u00a0 statisticians across the world in producing data that can be trusted. I also encourage\u00a0 countries to focus on adopting the various internationally accepted statistics standards to ensure that the data produced is of the highest quality and it is comparable internationally.<\/p>\n
Let us continue to develop statistics to give us access to high quality data that can inform\u00a0 our overall development strategies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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