Kuwait presents paper on statistical expertise to UN Commission

` Kuwait has presented a working paper on its statistics' collection expertise to the 45th session of the UN Statistical Commission, currently held in New York. The working paper was presented late Thursday at a meeting of the annual session of the UN Statistical Commission by Assistant Undersecretary for Administrative Support and Information Sector at Kuwait's Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) Mariam Al-Oqael. In its paper, Al-Oqael underlined that Kuwait is totally committed to the implementation of the UN fundamental principles of official statistics to provide high-quality, credible and impartial statistics. The paper also highlighted the measures taken by the CSB to strictly implement these principles in conducting surveys and compiling statistical reports. Al-Oqael pointed out that the CSB's makes available its statistics to media outlets and the public in a neutral and transparent way as per the first principle of official statistics. She added that the CSB is also eager to get feedback from readers and users of its statistics. The Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics were endorsed by the UN General Assembly on 29 January 2014. But they had been originally adopted by the Statistical Commission 20 years ago in April 1994. The need for a set of principles governing official statistics became apparent at the end of the 1980s when countries in Central Europe began to change from centrally planned economies to market-oriented democracies. It was essential to ensure that national statistical systems in such countries would be able to produce appropriate and reliable data that adhered to certain professional and scientific standards. Al-Oqael noted that the CSB states clearly, in its reports, the methods and procedures for the collection, processing, storage and presentation of statistical data. She underlined that the CBS gives special attention to the quality and accuracy of its products. The CSB is keen on using the latest and best methods for the collection, processing, storage and presentation of statistical data, she said. She added that the CSB abides by all international standards, recommendations and UN guides and manuals relative to official statistics. It also follows up the latest updates in this domain to provide world-class statistical reports that match international reports. For his part, Head of the Gulf Cooperation Council and International Cooperation Section at the CSB Fahad Al-Qabandi shed light on the CSB's efforts to boost bilateral and multilateral cooperation with relevant regional and international agencies to contribute to the improvement of CSB's staff efficiency as well as improvement of produced statistics. In this regard, the CSB is keen developing cooperation with all UN agencies, International Labor Organization, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, the UN Development Program (UNDP) and other national statistical bodies particularly those in the developed countries, Al-Qabandi said. He disclosed that the CSB has signed cooperation agreements with national statistical agenies in the United States, Canada and China. The 45th session of the Statistical Commission kicked off on Tuesday at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, and will concluded late Friday. The United Nations Statistical Commission, established in 1947, is the apex entity of the global statistical system. It brings together the Chief Statisticians from member states from around the world. It is the highest decision making body for international statistical activities especially the setting of statistical standards, the development of concepts and methods and their implementation at the national and international level.`