BELMOPAN, Belize, 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 that despite the significant strides, there is still a long journey ahead,” said CARICOM Deputy Secretary General Dr. Armstrong Alexis.
The forum brought together policymakers, government ministers, stakeholders in regional statistics, including representatives of national statistics offices, and statistics users.
Through panel discussions, the participants examined, among other topics, 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.
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 CARICOM RSDS originated from the Action Plan for Statistics, in which Caribbean leaders agreed on the need for a regional approach to statistical development to optimize scarce resources and strengthen National Statistical Systems (NSS) in member states.
During this week’s engagements, he said, “We will sharply focus on the mandate of the High-Level Advocacy Forum on Statistics to lift the statistics profile and 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 has since led to the CARICOM RSDS.”
Armstrong said that the Third High-Level Advocacy Forum, held in 2019, set the stage for implementing 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 that while the Fourth High-Level Advocacy Forum promises to be very engaging, we need to go beyond rhetoric and ensure that statisticians have opportunities to promote the implementation of the strategic framework of the CARICOM RSDS and prioritize investment in statistics.
“I am hopeful that through your efforts, our region’s decision-makers will embrace statistics and provide 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) need attention to modernize and transform their operations if they are to produce timely, relevant, and in general high-quality statistics,” he added.
Andre Richards, the liaison specialist with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), 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 measuring 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 Caribbean’s unique challenges, ranging from economic and social inequality to climate resilience, health equity, and youth empowerment,” he added.
Richards said that reliable data is at the core of UNFPA’s mandate to ensure sexual and reproductive health, gender equality, and the rights of women and young people.
“Through data, we can better support each nation in developing inclusive policies, given significant demographic changes, that enhance all its citizens’ health, well-being, and potential.
“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 member states’ shared pursuit of 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 championing data-driven decision-making.
She referred 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 in overall youth development. While the average score of CARICOM countries has improved steadily over the last 12 years, with Barbados, St. Lucia, and Belize featuring among top countries on various indicators,” she added.
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