“We cannot advance Caricom if member states fail to produce updated, accurate data” – deputy SG

Recognising the importance of statistics in achieving the Sustainable Developmental Goals, the Caribbean Community (Caricom) has launched the Fourth High-Level Advocacy Forum on Statistics to reinforce the need for member states to strengthen their capabilities in collecting, analysing and utilising critical data.
On Monday, policy-makers and Government Ministers among others gathered in Placencia, Belize, for Caricom’s Fourth High-Level Advocacy Forum on Statistics. The event saw stakeholders engaging in crucial discussions on several key topics such as the progress of the Regional Strategy for the Development of Statistics (RSDS) and the impact of technological advancements on the sector, among others. Speaking at the Engagement was Caricom’s Deputy Secretary General, Dr Armstrong Alexis, who highlighted the importance of statistics as the Region pushes to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

“Despite the significant strides, there is still a long journey ahead. Statistics remain a highly-dynamic field, with growing demand for data from both official and traditional sources. We simply cannot advance the Caribbean Community and secure a viable, sustainable, and prosperous community for all the citizens of Caricom if our member states are not capable of producing up-to-date, accurate, relevant, and comprehensive data.”
On this point the Deputy SG highlighted that the forum will serve as a platform for innovation. Noting that the forum will continue to serve as the Region’s premier statistics event, bringing together policy-makers, Government Ministers, stakeholders in regional statistics.
“For the Standing Committee of Caribbean Statisticians (SCCS) to remain viable over the next 50 years, it must cultivate greater innovation and creativity in responding to the growing demands and expand its reach to build greater appreciation for statistics as a critical input for sustainable development. During this week’s engagements, we will place in sharp focus the mandate of the High-Level Advocacy Forum on Statistics, which is to lift the profile of statistics and to garner political and other support for its development in Caricom.”
Additionally, the SG revealed that Caricom is currently in the process of bolstering its Regional Statistics Programme (RSP).
“We are in the process of undertaking an assessment of the optimal future state for the Regional Statistics Programme with funding from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). The project aims to strengthen the Regional Statistics Programme as a focal point for regional statistics and enhance regional coordination and the development, harmonisation and quality of statistics produced by the National Statistical Offices[NSOs]. It is envisioned that a stronger regional authority will improve the overall coordination of the Caricom statistical system, strengthening its capacity and the capacity of the NSOs, assisting mobilising financing for statistics development and improvement of the statistical infrastructure across the Region.”
Also present at the event was Director of the Statistics Division of the United Nations (UN) Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Rolando Alcantar who highlighted the crucial role Artificial Intelligence (AI) will play in the managing of statistical data.
“Innovation is another focal point today, particularly the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for enhancing data quality, access, and security. In the recent 23rd meeting of the SCA’s Executive Committee, we discussed the critical role of technological advancements, such as Artificial Intelligence, in official statistics.”
Additionally, Alcantar lauded Caricom for its support in the regional advancement of statistics, in this regard he also reaffirmed the UN’s commitment towards working with Caricom member states.
The theme of the Forum is “Strengthening Statistics through the Regional Strategy for the Development of Statistics for a Resilient Caribbean Community.”