ABSA Commends ECA on new Statistics Division.

Addis Ababa, 1 May 2007 - The Advisory Board on Statistics in Africa (ABSA) has commended the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) for establishing a new division for statistics and further called on the commission to ensure that the new division is adequately staffed and funded in order to fulfill its vision of becoming a lead agency for statistics in Africa.

The call was made during the fourth ABSA meeting, which took place on Monday 30 April in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Opening the meeting, United Nations Under-Secretary General and Executive Secretary of ECA, Mr. Abdoulie Janneh, assured the board of ECA's commitment to statistical development in Africa. He said: “ One of the major challenges to successful implementation of the African development agenda lies in the ability of countries to measure progress and to respond to data needs emerging from current international and regional initiatives aimed at promoting economic and social development on the continent.”

Mr. Janneh said the new statistics division, known as the African Centre for Statistics, will work closely with partners to ensure synergies and avoid duplication. He further outlined the main components of the statistical programme, which include preparing African countries for the 2010 round of housing and population censuses; re-engineering Household Surveys in Africa; statistical training for member States; and coordinating statistical development activities and data management in order to provide quality statistics on African countries.

ABSA discussed and approved the proposed work programme of the African Centre for Statistics and called on member States and development partners to support and work with the new division. It also called on the African Union Commission to provide advocacy for statistics in Africa at the highest level.

Background.

The Advisory Board on Statistics in Africa comprises 15 experts, appointed by ECA in consultation with all stakeholders. The board represents national statistical offices, sub-regional organizations, statistical training institutes and data users.

Its function is to advise ECA on emerging issues relating to statistical development in Africa; scrutinize ECA's work programme on statistics; a dvise on the coordination of statistical activities at national, subregional and regional levels; and promote and disseminate good practices in the area of statistical development to all stakeholders, including member States and sub-regional organizations.