DHAKA, Oct 19, 2020 (BSS) – The third World Statistics Day 2020 will be observed in the country tomorrow with the theme “Connecting the world with data we can trust” reflecting the importance of trust, authoritative data, innovation and the public good in national statistical systems.
On the eve of the day, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed their happiness that Bangladesh is going to observe the day for the third time like other countries across the globe.
President Abdul Hamid in his message said, “Statistics is a determiner of development and progress. The statistics has an immense importance in determining the pace and nature of all socio-economic activities and formulating development plans”.
Basically, the accurate statistics is a prerequisite for effective planning, he said, adding that the extensive use of statistics in quantitative and qualitative measurements is noticed in all economic, demographic and social sectors.
Noting that the use of accurate and timely statistics is essential for the development and progress of any country, which is also not different for developing countries like Bangladesh, Hamid said the application of accurate and timely statistics in every sector can transform the country into a developed country fast from a developing one.
The government of Bangladesh is very much sincere for modernization of the national statistics system and its use for the development activities, the President said, adding, “I am happy to know that the Statistics Act 2013 and related national strategies have been formulated for the development of the national statistics system”.
He hoped that the observance of the World Statistics Day will increase the use of statistics in all sectors of the country accelerating the pace of economic development.
In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said one of the prime conditions for the development of the country is to adopt the right plan while timely and accurate statistics is required for the proper planning.
The more accurate statistics helps the policymakers formulate plans and make decisions easily, she said, adding, “Our government is committed to collect and publish the necessary, timely and quality statistics for making information based decisions and plans in all areas”.
The government is always striving to use modern technology in data processing and identification, provide the right data to meet the challenges of globalization and make statistical activities timely and expeditious, the premier said.
“I believe that accurate, reliable and timely statistics serve as the basis in formulating sustainable development plans and making decisions and help us understand the changing world,” Sheikh Hasina said, adding the importance of statistics has increased further in saving lives from the coronavirus epidemic and overcoming it.
The Prime Minister urged planners, policy makers, academics and researchers who are working tirelessly for the sustainable development of the country to make the best use of the existing statistics.
“I think celebrating the World Statistics Day is a unique opportunity to make people aware about the importance of statistics,” she said.
The President and the Prime Minister wished success of all the programmes of the day.
At the 41st Session of the United Nations Statistical Commission, in February 2010, proposed celebrating 20 October 2010 as World Statistics Day.
Acknowledging that the production of reliable, timely statistics and indicators of countries’ progress is indispensable for informed policy decisions and monitoring implementation of the Millennium Development Goals, the General Assembly on 3 June 2010 adopted a resolution, which officially designated 20 October 2010 as the first ever World Statistics Day under the general theme “Celebrating the many achievements of official statistics.”
In 2015, with a resolution, the General Assembly decided to designate 20 October 2015 as the second World Statistics Day under the general theme “Better data, better lives,” as well as to celebrate World Statistics Day every five years on 20 October.
The celebration of the World Statistics Day 2020 is a global collaborative endeavour organized under the guidance of the United Nations Statistical Commission.
The Statistics Division of the United Nations Department of Economic Affairs is the global coordinator of the campaign, defining global key messages and making available outreach resources to countries and other partners its website.