Quality Statistics Critical For Development of Small Islands – STATIN DG

The need for quality statistics on the environment is also becoming more critical especially for small island developing states such as those in the Caribbean.

Director-General of the Statistical Institute of Jamaica, Ms. Carol Coy, made this observation as she addressed the 44th Meeting of the Standing Committee of Caribbean Statisticians (SCCS) in Jamaica on Monday, 28 October 2019.

She based her remarks on the natural disasters that have beset the Caribbean recently.

“The recent natural disasters in the Caribbean highlight the need for such information in order to build resilience. The 2019 theme of the SCCS, (which is also the overarching theme of CARICOM’s Regional Strategy for the Development of Statistics (RSDS) ‘Building Resilience of the Caribbean Community’ comes at a time when it is most appropriate to discuss critical issues that have the ability to impact the economic, social and physical advancement of the Caribbean,” she told delegates at the opening ceremony at the Jamaica Pegasus.

@CIMHbb principal Dr David Farrell tells regional representatives that the Institute is working with @CARICOMClimate to enhance the quality of data being collected in the region and that this high quality data will be housed in the #Caribbean pic.twitter.com/ZYSDtQG1Qh

— Zadie Neufville (@zpnine) October 30, 2019

Ms. Coy pointed out that the provision of quality statistics was essential for planning and monitoring both in the public and private sectors.

“Without good data government, businesses and consumers are unable to assess past performances and make appropriate plans for the future. The Caribbean Community from its inception, has recognised the importance of adequate statistical services to the achievement of its aspirations and goals. Thus the formation of the Standing Committee of Caribbean Statistics (SCCS) in 1974 and its subsidiary committees continue to strengthen regional integration and cooperation among member states of the Caribbean Community,” she said.

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The SCCS is but one of the statistics activities being held in Kingston this week. The others are the 31st Meeting of the Regional Census Coordinating Committee convening on 31 October, and the Twelfth Regional Statistical Research Seminar on 1 November.

Director, Regional Statistics at the CARICOM Secretariat, Dr. Philomen Harrison who spoke at the opening of the meetings, pointed out that the importance of statistics for development could not be over-emphasised. She noted that statistics provided the ingredient for planning and policy execution.

“It provides the numbers for matching resources with needs, particularly, ensuring equity and justice and poverty reduction. It also plays a vital role in promoting democracy and good governance. Good statistics improve the transparency and accountability of policy making, both principles of which are essential for good governance,” she told delegates.

She underscored the need for investment by Governments and International Development Partners in statistics in general and for the implementation of the CARICOM Regional Strategy for the Development of Statistics (RSDS) in particular.

The RSDS, which was endorsed by CARICOM Heads of Government last July, is the guiding document for the conduct of the SCCS Meeting. The strategic drivers of the RSDS are Standards and Harmonisation, Governance, Integrated Statistical Systems, Innovation and Advocacy and Communication as well as Information Technology, the Sustainable Development Goals, Sustainable Capacity Building and Gender Mainstreaming.

Statisticians at the meetings will be monitoring the status of the production of statistics, timeliness and quality across the various areas of statistics for Member States.

Source: CARICOM TODAY