Experts debate new direction for statistics in Africa
By Cristina Müller, 25 May 2005

Addis Ababa, 24 May 2005 - International experts met at the ECA in Addis Ababa on Monday for talks on improving the way in which statistics are handled in Africa.

The four-day meeting, hosted by ECA, is aimed at discussing strategic directions and implementation methods in a bid to improve the planning, financing, management and coordination of statistical development activities.

The meeting constitutes an important briefing session on the Reference Regional Strategic Framework for Statistical Capacity Building in Africa (RRSF), coordinated by ECA.

Statisticians from the ECA's Economic and Social Policy division (ESPD), the African Development Bank, the World Bank, Paris 21, donor agencies and regional statistical agencies will examine progress on the RRSF since the launch of the Forum on African Statistical Development  (FASDEV) in May 2004.

Recommended by FASDEV, the Framework is scheduled to be presented during its next meeting in November 2005.

FASDEV's mission is to provide an overview of statistical activities, including assistance and training in Africa. It is also aimed at setting up a permanent system for monitoring statistical development in Africa and at strengthening collaboration in this field.

"This briefing session is timely since member states need a Reference Regional Strategic Framework that will enable them to better respond to increasing data needs for monitoring the African development agenda," said ESPD director Augustin Fosu in his opening remarks.

It is expected that the RRSF - once adopted by all stakeholders - will help create much-needed collaboration, reduce duplication of efforts and lead to sustainable statistical capacity in the region, he added.

"As a result of this meeting we expect concrete proposals on how best to proceed to forge strong partnerships for statistical development at the regional level and in African countries," Fosu concluded.

For more information contact:

Cristina Müller
Communication Officer
Economic and Social Policy Division
UNECA
Tel: + 251 1 445 501
fax: + 251 1 445 176
www.uneca.org