(7th Meeting) 56th Statistical Commission

Thank you. Distinguished delegate, please take your seat. The 7th meeting of the 56th session of the Statistical Commission is called to order. Distinguished delegates, I understand that many participants are to take flights home this afternoon or evening lets us do our best to complete our discussion and close the session by 1 PM, making our deliberations as compact as possible. However, we may have to use the afternoon for another meeting to complete our discussion if we cannot finish all the agenda items this morning. As Fortmitten You are welcome to send a longer version of your statement to eStatement@un.org. I now invite the Commission to begin its consideration of Agenda Item 4, entitled Items for Decision. As you may recall, the Bureau has introduced this category on items where it expects no further debate. So the thing is not that you say, oh, I I support this. So it's if you don't say something, you are satisfied and you support the decision. The item will be introduced and the envisaged decision summarized. Thereafter, delegates will have the opportunity for short statements if that is really necessary, if so desired. As I was saying, just to support it, you don't need to do it. We already had this discussion. I kindly request delegates to be very brief to keep within our time allocation. On Friday, the Commission will take also decision on these items. I invite the Commission to begin its consideration of agenda item 4A entitled Education Statistics, under which the Commission has before it for decision the report of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization Institute for Statistics and Education Statistics contained in document E/CN.3/2025/24. A background document is available on the Statistical Commission's website. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Institute for Statistics of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization to introduce this report.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Distinguished delegates, dear colleagues, I am pleased to introduce the UNESCO Institute for Statistics report on education statistics. In 2024, UNESCO took a significant step forward by hosting the inaugural Conference on Education Data and Statistics, making a milestone in global education data governance. The conference, which will now be held every 3 years, strengthens member states' participation and is supported by Education Data and Statistics Commission between sessions, an intergovernmental body responsible for coordinating global education data and providing inputs to the AEG SDGs. Under the Education Data and Statistics Commission leadership, the development of education indicator standards and methodologies has progressed, including Bayesian estimation techniques that integrate multiple national data sources for key SDG indicators. These advancements has enhanced the availability of reliable data on critical issues such as out-of-school children, completion rate, qualified teachers, and education financing. UNESCO's intensified focus on education data reinforces its commitment to upholding human rights, promoting learning opportunities, and fostering global consensus on complex technical challenges. Notably, the Commission's recent endorsement of an early grade literacy and numeracy assessment framework provides common standards to guide national efforts. As its recent meeting, the UNESCO Institute for Statistics launched several important initiatives, including the first LASER Global Report, which evaluates the statistical capacity of education data ecosystems across 205 countries and is accompanied by country profiles based on a maturity model approach. These efforts contribute to ensure inclusive, equitable, and high-quality education for all. I invite the Commission to support the UNESCO Institute for Statistics and the Global Education Monitoring Report national benchmarking process, endorse the new methodology for estimating completion and out-of-school rates using model data, recognize the contribution of the Education Data and Statistics Conference, and support the Education and Data and Statistics Commission implementing the conference recommendations between sessions. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Institute for Statistics and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. I will now give the floor to Ms. Francesca Groome, Chief of the Demographic and Social Statistics Branch of the UNSD, to summarize the proposed decision for adoption on Friday and the final report on this item.

Thank you, Chair. Based on the introduction of the report and its content, outlining the work undertaken in a transparent and open process, it is the Secretariat's understanding that the Commission wishes to include the following decisions in the report for this agenda item. The Commission noted the progress and supported the work of the UNESCO Institute for Statistics and the Global Education Monitoring Report in guiding countries to set national benchmarks for education indicators. The Commission endorsed the new methodology to produce estimates of completion and out-of-school rates using modelling techniques and supported its further expansion. The Commission welcomed the convening of the first-ever Conference on Education Data and Statistics, which sets a global education data governance. And finally, the Commission supported the work of the Education Data and Statistics Commission, which takes forward the conference's recommendations between sessions. Thank you, Chair.

I thank Miss Groome. Does any delegate wishes to make his statement? I'll give the floor to, um, Somalia.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. On behalf of the Africa Group, Somalia underscores the critical role of education in Africa's development. Despite ongoing efforts, persistent constraints such as overcrowded classrooms, inadequate resources, and teacher shortages continue to limit access to quality education, particularly in regions affected by poverty, conflict, and weak infrastructure. These challenges are exacerbated by Africa's rapidly growing population, with 60% under the age of 25 and a high child dependency ratio of 69.66%, alongside extreme poverty affecting 488.6 million people. Harnessing Africa's human capital through education is essential for economic transformation. Strategic investments and policy reforms are needed to unlock The Demographic Dividend: Driving Growth and Prosperity. We commend UNESCO's Institute for Statistics and the African Union Commission for their work on SGD Indicator 4.11, which tracks student proficiency in reading and mathematics, providing critical data for informed decision-making. Improving both access to and the quality of education is critical to realizing the potential of Africa's and world youth. To this end, we call on the UNESCO Institute for Statistics and the African Union Commission through the Pan-African Institute for Education and Development and African Union Institute for Statistics to streamline data collection and management processes for better production of education statistics and usage for policy formulation, monitoring, and evaluation. The Africa Group called on African regional institutions such as AU, IBED, and AU Institute for Statistics to enhance collaboration with UNESCO Institute for Statistics in monitoring and reporting on SDG 4 indicators as well as as well as the indicators for regional frameworks and targets. Furthermore, the Africa Group acknowledges the updates made in the process of establishing national benchmarks for education, recognizing the importance of these benchmarks in guiding the development of educational policies and strategies across the continent. Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you to the distinguished delegate of Somalia. Maybe I wasn't very clear before. Here the idea is if you have something against the decision, then you can talk. I mean, you can anyway talk, but if we want to go home in the afternoon, I already extended my flight to Monday, so we can do that all together. But here the idea is we had the discussion already, so now You have a proposal. If you have— if you're not agreeing with the proposal, this is the idea to talk now. Otherwise, it's the idea we support the proposed decision and the proposal and decide on that. I see there are a couple of countries, so I would like to limit— I have to limit the time to 1 minute. Otherwise, there is no chance to do this. I hope you can understand that. I give the floor to the distinguished delegate of India.

Just two quick comments and I totally appreciate your views, Chair. One, that on the completion rate, currently the UIS calculates completion rate only on survey data. Our suggestion is that we should also have the possibility of using administrative data where available. And the second point is that as per the ILO's mechanism, people can be in the labour force from the age of 15 onwards. So when we are calculating out-of-school rate for the age group 14 to 19, we need to take into account those who have already been skilled rather than just taking it as deducting the enrolment from the population. So just two quick comments, nothing more than that.

Thank you.

Thank you, distinguished delegate of India. And I give the floor to distinguished delegate of Ecuador.

Chairman, I didn't ask for the floor. I do apologize.

In view that these items are for decision and as a foreman, not for discussion, I propose to set the time— ah, the time will be already set. Is there any objection? Doesn't look like, then it's so decided. And I give the floor to the distinguished—

this is—

Okay, the Commission has just concluded this stage of its consideration of item 4A. I now invite the Commission to begin its consideration of item 4B, entitled Environment and Climate Change Statistics, under which the Commission has before it for decision the report for Secretary General on Environment and Climate Change Statistics contained in document E/CN.3/2025/25. A background document is available on the statistical Commission's website. I give the floor to Ms. Reena Shah, Chief of the Environment Statistics Section of the UNST, to introduce this report.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Distinguished delegates, dear colleagues. The Statistical Commission has before it the report of the Secretary-General on Environment and Climate Change Statistics prepared by the Statistics Division. It provides an overview of the work of the Statistics Division in collaboration with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCCC, the Expert Group on Environment and Climate Change Statistics, and key partners in the following areas: communication and coordination of activities on environment and climate change statistics, development of methodology and tools, data collection, dissemination, and use; capacity development, as well as the implementation of the Global Set of Climate Change Statistics and Indicators and the Framework for the Development of Environment Statistics; and finally, advocacy and resource mobilization. I kindly invite you to consider the points outlined in the report in paragraph 47. I would also like to highlight in particular the invitation to Firstly, support the ongoing restructuring of the expert group, the establishment of subgroups such as in the areas of health and gender, and the continuation of the subgroup on climate change questions for surveys and censuses. Secondly, urge countries to strengthen national data collection and compilation in environment and climate change statistics to better inform policy decisions and facilitate unified reporting for international data requirements, including the Statistics Division United Nations Environment Programme Questionnaire on Environment Statistics. Thirdly, support the National Statistical Offices and National Focal Points to UNFCCC in the production of climate change statistics for the effective preparations of their first biennial transparency reports and related processes under the Paris Agreement. Fourthly, encourage member states and international agencies to intensify the use of the Framework for the Development of Environment Statistics and the Environment Statistics Self-Assessment Tool. Fifthly, urge countries to apply the Global Set and its implementation support tools. And finally, urge the donor community to intensify efforts towards mobilizing additional substantial resources. I thank you.

I thank Ms. Shaw. I will give the floor again to Ms. Shaw to summarize the proposed decision for adoption on Friday and the final report on this item.

Thank you. Based on the introduction of the report and its content outlining the work undertaken in a transparent and open process, it is the Secretariat's understanding that the Commission wishes to include the following decisions in the report for this agenda item. The Statistical Commission supported the restructuring of the Expert Group on Environment and Climate Change Statistics. The Commission appreciated efforts to enhance communication and collaboration among agencies leading international programs on climate change data and statistics. The Commission welcomed the methodology updates and the establishment of subgroups on health and gender. The Commission urged countries to strengthen national data collection and compilation in environment and climate change statistics to better inform policy decisions and international reporting, including on the Statistics Division UNEP questionnaire on environment statistics. The Commission supported periodic updates to the terms and definitions in the Statistics Division UNEP questionnaire and accommodate emerging topics such as e-waste and food waste. The Commission supported the work of the subgroup of the expert group on compiling a core set of environment and climate change questions for censuses and surveys. The Commission requested support for national statistical offices and UNFCCC national focal points in producing climate change statistics their reporting under the Paris Agreement. The Commission encouraged strengthened collaboration and coordination among partners to improve synergies in capacity development initiatives. The Commission encouraged member states to enhance the use of the Framework for the Development of Environment Statistics and the Environment Statistics Self-Assessment Tool. The Commission urged member states to apply the Global Set of Climate Change Statistics and Indicators and its implementation support tools to establish national programs of climate change statistics and contribute to reporting under the Paris Agreement. And finally, the Commission called on donors to mobilize additional resources for sustained and permanent statistical advancements. I thank you.

I thank Ms. Shah once again. I kindly ask you to respect the time limit of One minute for statements. Is there— I see the distinguished delegate of Cambodia.

Thank you, Chair. Distinguished delegates, Cambodia wishes to congratulate the UN Statistics Division for this initiative and support the establishment of the subgroup on gender within the expert group on environment and gender. Climate change statistics. In 2024, with the, with the support of the UN Women, Cambodia completed a national gender and environment survey. The survey report, expected to be released in April, includes more than 100 gender and environment indicators. These metrics align with the UN Women set of 100 gender and environment indicators and their metadata. To avoid duplication and build on information that we already have, we encourage this new group examine the existing indicator and their metadata before building a new metric. We are expected— we are excited to share Cambodia experience on the implementation of the Gender and Environment Survey and hope it will be useful to others. Thank you, Chair.

I thank the distinguished delegate of Cambodia. Now I give the floor to the distinguished delegate of UN Women.

Thank you, Chair. I just wanted to align with the statement by Cambodia right now—

made right now.

The indicators— gender and environment indicators are supported by established metadata. These indicators are currently actively used in several countries and many of them are under review for inclusion in global monitoring frameworks for the Rio Convention. We really think that it's important to leverage these existing metrics in order to ensure coherence and avoid duplication.

Thank you.

Thank you to the representative of the UN Women. Next delegate is from Grenada, and when Grenada finishes their intervention, I will close the list. The floor is to the distinguished delegate of Grenada.

Thank you, Chair. Grenada, on behalf of CARICOM, supports the overall actions of the report as presented. The CARICOM region recognizes that special attention should be given to the integration of climate change Gender and Health Statistics. Since our experience with natural disasters in the region had revealed varying impacts on women and men, we in the CARICOM states intend to maintain our strong representation on the expert group. Thank you, Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Grenada. Now give the floor to the distinguished delegate of Mongolia. The list is closed.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Mongolia supports the creation of the subgroup on gender within the expert group on climate change and environment statistics. Mongolia was the first country to pilot a national survey on gender and the environment conducted with the support of the UN Women. This survey has enabled us to generate numerous indicators on gender and the environment, building on existing metadata for the set of 100 gendered and environment indicators. Therefore, we wish to encourage the Gender Subgroup to build on our experience and these existing tools for implementing the group's mandate.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you, the distinguished representative of Mongolia. Now I give the floor to distinguished delegate of the UNFCCC.

Thank you, thank you, Mr. Chairman, and in the interest of time, I have shortened my intervention. We welcome the report presented to the Commission and support the conclusions. The UN Climate Change Secretariat continued its strong cooperation with the UN Statistics Division, which has gradually increased in the recent years, especially based on the mandate received at the 49th session of the Commission. We support the proposed restructuring of the expert group and the integration of additional topics like gender and health. As mentioned in previous years, new and diverse data are required by countries to report on their implementation of the Paris Agreement. We have already received biennial transparency reports from almost 100 countries, and I would like to acknowledge here the support provided by national statistical offices in producing these important reports by countries. The UNFCCC has worked closely together with UNSD in the last years for the development and the implementation of the global set of climate change indicators and statistics, which countries to report relevant indicators. I want to conclude by emphasizing again the need to continue enhancing the collaboration between the national statistical offices and the national authorities responsible for reporting climate change-related information, given also the increased data requirements for reporting under the Paris Agreement. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I thank the representative of UNFCCC. C. And I am— this was the last speaker on my list. Um, the Commission has concluded this stage of its consideration of Item 4B. Distinguished delegates, I now invite the Commission to turn its attention to Agenda Item 5, titled Items for Information, comprising of sub-items A to J, and that is sub-items the Commission has before it for information. The reports contained in the document with symbols running chronologically from E/CN.3/2025/26 through 35. A background document concerning agenda item 5E is available on the Statistical Commission's website. In the interest of time and efficiency, I will not read out their titles, but instead refer delegation to document E/CN.3/2025/L1/REF1 containing the Commission's provisional program of work and timetable for the session where the titles of these reports are listed. In accordance with the established practice of the Commission's information item are neither introduced nor summarized, and the Commission is expected to take note of related information documents without further debate. Accordingly, I propose that the Commission take note of the information item en bloc, and I kindly request the cooperation of all delegations in this regard. Before we do so, however, and as I previously— as in previous In recent years, the Bureau recognized the interest in intervention regarding some of these items, mostly in order to provide the Commission with clarification or updates on recent development. In that event, I would kindly request that speakers clearly state the particular item or items they wish to address. The floor is now open for comments on the sub-items under agenda item 5, entitled items for information.

Very good.

Distinguished delegates, may I take it that the Commission wishes to take note of the report contained in the documents with symbol numbers running chronological from E/1 CN.3/2025/26 through 35. I hear no objection, so it is decided. The Commission has just completed the consideration of agenda item 5A to J. Distinguished delegates, the Commission will now begin its consideration of agenda item 6 entitled program question. Statistics Division, under which we will hear an oral report by the Director of the United Nations Statistical Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, UNSD, Mr. Stefan Schreinfest, concerning current activities, plans, and priority of the division.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I'll start with my usual Statistical Commission statistics, and I know people like that because you sometimes use it for your back-to-office report. So by Wednesday, we had 98 countries registered, 35 agencies, and over 500 participants in the Statistical Commission. We had 38 official documents— you know that— 62 background documents, so that's actually exactly 100 documents that you had to digest to discuss with us this week. We had 380 written comments, 89 side events, 57 of them in person and 32 virtually, which I think reflects a new reality which I call the road to the Statistical Commission. We've had this virtual event since COVID This is actually a positive outcome of COVID Because I always like that people who will also— from your offices who don't have the opportunity to travel to New York would have an opportunity to connect to the side events and so on. So I think it's slightly less participation than last year, but we are not even entirely sure because we are still registering delegations. I was a little bit worried that the participation would go down, but I didn't need to be worried. If I look around the room, the statistical community is alive and kicking here. So I thank everybody. I know you also have financial and resource constraints at home, so I don't know how you did it, whether you came by rowing boat or by bicycle, but you came, and this is a very good thing and makes all of us happy. I take also always this moment to thank our contributors. We have a trust fund from China, now have had it for 15 years, that supports fellows and activities. We also have fellows and SDG events funded by Japan. We have an Eurostat trust fund. The EU Commission has given us a new grant on biodiversity, so we will be able to start our work in that direction. I have to thank my dear colleague from the World Bank. They have supporting our energy statistics program and have funded some of the participants in this room. ONS, UNESCO, and Canada contribute to our UN Global Platform. Various UN agencies chip in to finance the program on household surveys. And Ireland, Norway, UK, and Italy through their development agencies fund our program Data for Now. A special thank you to our dear friends— where are they— from Colombia, who organized a fantastic World Data Forum. I think it was not only substantive, but it was colorful and uplifting, I would say. And that's what we need in these difficult times., and I wanted to thank a lot of people in this room because you're making many contributions in kind if you're leading one of our working groups. And so I'm sometimes a little bit ashamed because some of you, I sometimes feel they work almost for me, and I will get into trouble with their bosses from your offices. So thank you for all of that. Yeah, it's a bit gloomy, but let me start with it, the financial crisis, so that we can finish on a positive negative note. Let me work it this way. When I was sitting on the panel this week, I got an email that our resources have been cut from 90% to 80% for this year, and now we have a total hiring freeze until August. So it's really— my vacancy rate in the Statistics Division is approaching 30%. So it's really, really serious, and it will have repercussions. I, I'd already— I was very unhappy that we couldn't have a reception this, this year. I apologize, but I mean, that's always for me a very important, also human, element of the Commission session, but it was just not possible. Um, some people call us the lucky Commission because we were the last Commission that met in 2020, and then when we walked out here, they closed the doors and It was COVID, and then— and we were again the last commission because as of the 1st of April, we have— every intergovernmental body needs to cut their time by 10% and their documentation by 10%. So we were not affected by this, but it will come in the future. Um, travel is of course affected. I'm very unhappy that we are very often not able to come to your regional events and so, because I believe the personal touch is very important. Capacity building activities will have to be reduced. I have 3 interregional advisors coming. I'm not entirely sure that that recruitment is stopped. I will have to double-check. I hope not because we had an interregional advisor in national accounts, census, and statistical systems legislation coming, and these are also, of course, our priorities now. But I— at this moment, I can't even tell you whether these recruitments are on hold or not. I hope not. I'm also sometimes a bit worried about our IT infrastructure and our lack of investment in innovation, and of course, staff retirements. And many of you heard what Hermann was saying. After dedication, a lifetime dedication on national accounts. He will be leaving us and Ronald also this year. So thank you to them. But of course it makes our situation even more challenging. We will have to go back to the basics. I will consult with the Bureau. The Bureau is your representation during the year if we have to take tough decisions. And I know the Bureau, you also have cuts. I'm not sitting here and pretending I'm the only person in the world. I know that you have managed that, so the Bureau are also really good advisors because they have had that same situation perhaps at home. The reality is, of course, we need to focus on the priorities. Resolutions decided this week are obviously key elements of our programme. We have to be shameless and to accept all the help from our friends. There are virtual circondants, some people are working with us already from the distance. Whenever— be careful if you send me a letter that I invite you to come to this event, I will always ask, what does invite mean exactly? Would you be happy for me to be there or you're going to pay my ticket? So be careful with that word. Translations is going to be a bit of a headache because I know that these important standards and everything we publish are only useful when they reach the working level in all 6 UN languages. So I will knock on various doors—countries, regional entities—to see whether we can get help for the translations because I think this is really also a priority. Work for 5 years to have 1,300 pages on national accounts, and then it takes years to translate them and use them, and that would not be very good. So I call this— we have to move together. We have to huddle. We have to share. That's the best reaction to this difficult situation. And I also always say, UNSD, as a statistics division anyway, not only in a crisis. We are not necessarily responsible for doing things, but to make sure that things get done. But that makes it even more important that you help us also to become a little bit of an information center so that we know who is doing what, so that we can help to make sure that all the important issues are addressed. So I think that's one thing where we have the privilege of knowing a lot of of what's going on, and then we can help that the diminishing resources are really used most effectively. I think that's an important function we will have to fulfill in the next couple of years, perhaps. The UN context is challenging, and I put in bracket here for myself, this was the euphemism of my life. The commitment to multilateralism is very much being discussed. I think we are part of this organization, but I think always sometimes as a very technical area we can— we are still functioning as the UN, I believe, is supposed to function, and we perhaps have to be in this period particularly watchful be mindful that our technical body doesn't get politicized. That's what most worries me because I think we can still function the way we function, but we have to be mindful. Data in general has a very— is very on everybody's agenda, so the context is positive from a substantive point of view. Everybody is talking about data. We have had the discussions on data governance, So that's also something we need to pursue and I wanted to acknowledge here Swiss and Canadian diplomacy in the background because they have talked to our ECOSOC president so all the way up to the highest levels people are aware of what we are doing and working closely with our other brothers and sisters, the sister commission on science and technology for development. GDP and Beyond, I'm asked many times. I don't know, honestly. I mean, I know there was a plan to launch it, but now with the new situation that we were actually also given a mandate by the General Assembly to do GDP and Beyond, but it came also with additional resources so that we could hire one or two people to actually facilitate the work of the so-called high-level expert group that was to be formed. But if that is frozen now, then I'm not sure we will be able to go ahead with that panel. I don't want to be in a situation where I have to take a decision between the GDP and Beyond discussion and S&A implementation. I think that would be extremely unfortunate. So my internal advice would be to perhaps with to postpone that discussion, but I don't know. I'm not the one who is going to take that decision. Opportunities are many. We have many high-level events like the Ocean Conference, and, um, and we are working on that to make some inputs, uh, for ocean accounting, also with our colleagues in the office who are from the geospatial information side. This always the moment I make my pitch of the marriage between statistics and geospatial information. The Financing for Development Conference is coming up, and this community has already made input, so I would encourage you to look at what we already have— it's in the documentation— and see whether you want to add to that and cooperate. And then there's the Social and Social Development Commission— Conference a little bit later this year, and I think with our friends of the chair, we were very well positioned. Um, I just want at this point also to recognize my staff, and I know a lot of people in this room are also worried that, that, that I will be leaving, but I'm trusting my staff. I— you have seen 12 people here up on the podium. They know very well I've tried not to intervene a lot on the substance because these people know what they are doing, and I am very happy to have dedicated staff in this difficult situation, and I certainly couldn't do it without all of you. And I'm very confident that they will be able to manage the transition, and I know that the morale is low, and it breaks my heart that I cannot do more for my staff. I cannot give them promotions that they deserve or hire and fill the holes that we have. Sometimes it's a chief that's missing, sometimes it's a junior professional who has to do all the work that is missing and all of the rewards that we normally give to our staff, it's very limited. But I mean, for my own staff, I have one message, please hang in there. So I will have to bother you. You have to bear with me for a few more minutes, and you saw that coming, or perhaps some personal reflections. The Commission started in 1946, and some evil tongues say I was there already. That's not entirely true, but this is my 30th my first Statistical Commission. And given the errors I made when I was communicating with you, that I can't even get the month or the timing of the events correctly, perhaps it's time for me to retire. Um, I did something this morning. I looked at the report of my first commission in 1991. It was the 26th Commission. This is the 56th Commission here now. And just a couple of— it was from report to the 13th of February 1991. Um, I just— a couple of information. Claudio, you will be surprised, the report was 81 pages long. There were 24 countries in the room, only 24. Um, the— in the report there was a special event on increasing user awareness on of the value of statistical outputs and services. Hmm, sounds familiar. There was a decision— because I started my career with an SNA failure, because the SNA93 was supposed to be the SNA91, and the Statistical Commission could not agree on it. So there was a new target date, and there was a sentence in the report that 1996 '93. At the time, the Commission was only meeting every 2 years, uh, was really the date for the SNA. And then there was an interesting sentence that my colleague Reena would like, that we should start to pay, uh, attention to the increasing importance of environment statistics. 1991. I looked at the delegations. I saw a couple of names that sounded familiar. The U.S. delegation had somebody called Mr. Haberman. The Canadian delegation had people called Mr. Felaghi and Mr. Prigley. The French delegation had two members, Mr. Milleron, who became our boss later, and Mr. Bodin. The Hungarian delegation was led by somebody, Mr. Gyuri Vukovic. Whilst his daughter was still studying and came back to the Statistical Commission 20 years later. And in the Bulgarian delegation, there was apparently a junior professional called Lidija Pratanova. Some of you may know her. So that was 1991. A lot has changed— more countries, more speakers from around the world. I think we— that was also— I remember that only the big countries spoke when I first walked in here. That is no longer the case and it's wonderful. I'm really very happy about it. We have, of course, a lot more themes, more meetings. Since 2000, we meet annual. At the time, it was only every 2 years. We have more side events, more stakeholders, partners, more data, of course, and I think— I like to believe we are more executive and more agile. And more relevant. And so, uh, what were my big moments? In 2000, when we switched from every 2 years to annual. 2011, when we started with the Geospatial Committee, which I think was very much modeled according— the successful model of the Statistics Commission. 2017 was a very proud moment when the statistical community adopted the SDG indicators. A lot of people thought we would not be able to do that, and within a year we came up with the indicators and we keep refining them and reporting the data. I think that was something that a lot of people didn't believe at the political level that we could do that. 2021 was special. We had a virtual session, and I think in COVID we moved together also. It was, was really heartwarming to see how countries compared their difficulties and their solutions, for instance, with the census round and so on and so forth. And 2025, you gave me a farewell present. We have an SNA 2025. I started my career in the National Accounts section with the 1993 SNA, and now I'll finish it with the 19— with the 2025. You see, I'm stuck in the last century here. 2025 SNA. It's been a long way for me from my little Bavarian village to the podium of Conference Room 4, and I need to take a few seconds to thank my parents also. They put me on this path, but they also let me go, and those are two very important things that, that helped me to get here. I just wanted to say thank you. You are an incredible community. I I sometimes think you don't even know how precious this is, what we have in this room. And you're not only here. I've had the pleasure of visiting many of you in your natural habitat, statistical offices and so. I even have this obsession, even sometimes when you don't officially invite me and I'm just privately on a visit, I always look where the statistical office is, and then my husband makes fun of me because I always take a picture of the National Statistical Office. So, I mean, you see my holiday pictures are beach, Eiffel Tower, and then the National Statistical Office. I've eaten good food with you. I've seen beautiful places. So thank you for all of this. I repeat, you are an incredible community, professionally strong and kind. My last message to you, don't let anybody, anybody, Anybody, no director, no president, nobody, take that away from you. Thank you very much.

Some well-informed people know that Stefan will move to Mexico and there is a long beach there. Don't be surprised if you may meet one or the other at that beach. Thank you very much, Stefan. And I open the floor for comments and observation on this item entitled Program And question if there is anyone who asked for the floor. None. I hear no objection, so it is— if there is no further intervention under this item, I recommend that the Commission take note of the proposed program of work as presented in the oral report by Mr. Schweinfest. I hear no— Objection. It's all decided. The Commission has concluded its consideration of agenda item 6. Distinguished delegate, I now invite the Commission to begin its consideration of agenda item 7, relating to the provisional agenda and dates of its next session. On this item, the Commission has before it a note by the Secretary containing The draft provisional agenda and documentation for the 57th session of the Commission contained in document E/CN.3/2025/L2. And another note by the Secretariat on the draft multi-year program of work of Statistical Commission 2025 to 2029 contained in document E/CN.3/2025/L1. 36. I give the floor to Ms. Linda Hooper, statistician at the Office of the Director of the UNSD, to introduce both documents.

Thank you, Chair. As in previous years, the Multi-Year Program is presented to the Commission as a 5-year planning tool. It's a checklist reflecting periodicity in which the Commission considers certain items. The draft Multi-Year Program is based on the Multi-Year Program adopted by the Commission at its last session and adjusted for changes made by the Bureau in finalizing the agenda for this, the current 56th session. From discussions this week, we have the following request: to add an additional category, well-being measurement, reporting annually under Domain 5, cross-cutting domains. The document before the Commission does not yet reflect this decision made— excuse me, reflect decisions made by the Commission this week and they will be reflected accordingly. On document L2, the draft provisional agenda, the draft provisional agenda before the Commission is derived from the current multi-year program. As a result of the deliberations this week, we will make the following changes to the draft agenda for the next Commission of the— session of the Commission. We will add social statistics as agenda item 3H with a report of the with the final report of the Friends of the Chair on Social and Demographic Statistics. We will add Data Governance as agenda item 7C with the report prepared by the newly established Working Group on Data Governance. We will add Well-Being Measurement as agenda item 7D with a report of the Expert Group on Well-Being Measurement. We will add International Statistical Classifications as agenda item— 8H with a report of the Committee of Experts on International Statistical Classifications. We will add Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics as agenda item 9D with a report. We will add Working Methods of the Statistical Commission as agenda item 10E with a report by the Bureau. Following past practice, it is suggested by the— that the Bureau finalize the provisional agenda before the next session. And in doing so also make a distinction between decision, discussion, and information items. The Secretariat is also pleased to inform delegates that the 57th session of the Statistical Commission will be held here in New York from 3 to 6 March 2026. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank Ms. Hooper. Are there any comments or observation on this item? I see none. May I take it that the Commission wishes to approve the draft provisional agenda on its 57th session outlined in document E/CN.3/2025/L2?— orally revised and authorized the Bureau to finalize it in accordance with past practice, and that it also wishes to approve its Multi-Year Programme to Work as contained in document E/CN.3/2025/36 as orally revised. I hear no objection, so it's decided. May I also take it that the Commission decides to recommend to the Economic and Social Council that its 57th session be held from the 3rd to the 6th March 2026? I don't hear any objection, so it is decided. The Commission has just concluded its consideration of agenda item 7. Distinguished delegates, we have now come to the last item on our agenda for this session, which is the consideration of the report of the Commission on its 56th session. On this item, the Commission has before it the draft procedural report on its proceeding contained in document E/CN.3/2021. /2025/L3, the two draft resolutions contained in document E/CN.3/2025/L4-REF1 and in document E/CN.3/2025/L5, as well as the informal paper containing its draft decision compiled on the basis of the view expressed in our formal meeting The informal paper has also been shared with the delegation via email yesterday and this morning in parts 1 and 2. I now suspend the meeting for 20 minutes, 10 minutes? 15. 15. For 15 minutes to afford delegation time to read the informal paper and conduct informal consultation on its contents as necessary. So it's 11:17. We are back, so the meeting is suspended. Distinguished delegates, please take your seats.

Ja, wir sind immer noch gut in der Zeit.

Anderthalb Stunden müsste eigentlich genug sein.

Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished delegates, please take your seats. The meeting is resumed. I now give the floor to the rapporteur, Mr. Andrew Bob Mr. Tshiani of Sierra Leone to introduce the draft procedural report contained in document E/CN.3/2025/L3 with the two draft resolutions and the informal paper which you have before you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Distinguished delegates. In my capacity as Rapporteur of the Statistical Commission, I have the honor to introduce the draft reports of the 56th session of the Commission contained in document E/CN.3/2025/elp.3, which you have before you. The report is concise and self-explanatory and covers organizational matters related to the Commission's work this view in this session. I have attempted to further streamline the procedural parts of the report while maintaining its overall important contents in line with the UN guidelines on the length of the official reports. Accordingly, Section A provides information on the opening of the session. Sections B and C respectively highlight the attendance and the officers elected to guide the work of the session, while Section D outlines the agenda on the basis of which the Commission conducted its work from the beginning to the end. Paragraph 4 of Section D refers to the adoption of a provisional agenda and organization of work as contained in Documents E/CN.3/2025/1 revision.1 and E/CN.3/2025/L.1 revision.1 respectively. Paragraph 5 in Section D lists the organizations invited by the Commission to participate in its work during this session and observers. Section E contains a reference to the website of the Statistical Commission on which the documentation before the session is available. In accordance with the Commission's established working methods, these reports will be finalized and submitted for the consideration of the Economic and Social Council following the incorporation of the conclusions and recommendations of this session, meaning the draft decisions contained in the information— informal paper which you also have before you. In addition, the reports will include the draft resolutions on Systems of National Accounts 2025, and 2030 World Population and Housing Census Programme. Both the decisions and the draft resolutions will be included in the final report in accordance with the action we are about to take on them. The final report will also include a technical summary of how and when the Commission considered the items on its agenda this year. Before I end, I want to thank the entire Commission for my election to the Bureau as rapporteur during the given period. I will work with the team towards our shared goals and objectives. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank the rapporteur. I propose that the Commission consider the various parts of the draft procedural report, the two draft resolutions, and the informal paper with the draft draft decision contained therein in turn. Accordingly, may I ask if there are any comments on the organizational part of the draft report contained in document E/CN.3/2025/L3, which you have before you? I don't see anyone. I hear no May I take it that the Commission wishes to adopt the organizational part of its draft report on containing document E/CN.3/2025/L3 and agrees to entrust the rapporteur with finalizing the report by reflecting the proceeding of today's meeting? I don't hear Any objection? So it is decided. We will now consider the two draft resolutions one by one. Before we consider the draft resolution, I would like on behalf of the Bureau thank once more all delegation for their active and constructive participation in the informal consultation held this week on Monday and Tuesday, and in particular Mexico and the Kingdom of Netherlands for facilitating this process. We will first turn to the draft entitled System of National Accounts 2025. The agreed text has been issued as document E/CN.3/2025/L4/REF1. Before we take a decision on this draft resolution, I will open the floor for general statements and explanation of position before the decision. Does any delegate wish to make a general statement or statement in explanation of position before the decision? I see none. May I take it that the Commission wishes to adopt the draft resolution contained in document E/ CN.3/2025/L4 Rev 1. I hear no objection. It's so decided. Does any delegation wish to make a statement in explanation of position or general statement after the decision? I see no further request for the floor. I now invite the Commission to consider the draft resolution entitled 2030 World Population and Housing Census Programme. Contained in document E/CN.3/2025/L.5. Before we take a decision on the draft resolution, I will open the floor for general statement and statements in explanation of position before the decision. Does any delegation wish to make a general statement or explanation of position before we take a decision on the draft resolution? I see none. Thank you. I see no more requests for the floor. May I take that the Commission wishes to adopt the draft resolution contained in document E/CN 3/2025/L5. I hear no objection, so it is decided. Does any delegation wish to make a statement in explanation of position or general statement after the decision? I see none. I now invite the Commission to consider the informal paper and the draft decision contained therein in accordance with the Commission's work methods. I will ask for the comments on each draft decision outlined in the document. Are there any comments on the draft decision 1? UK. UK. I give the floor to the distinguished delegate of the UK.

Thank you, Chair.

We propose the addition of a new paragraph L to decision 1 on item 3A, national accounts, in the following terms: emphasised the need for a user-focused approach to the development of the SNA research agenda, including through a mechanism of meaningful consultations and requested a member-led governance review of the mandate and terms of reference of the Intersecretariat Working Group on National Accounts and the Advisory Expert Group on National Accounts in parallel with implementation to ensure their continued relevance in guiding the SNA update process in an inclusive and transparent manner. And report back to the Commission at its 58th session in 2027. This proposal is supported by the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Norway. Thank you, Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of the United Kingdom and now give the floor to the distinguished representative Representative of Germany.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In principle, we agree with the draft report. As an, however, aligned with the EU common position, we suggested to add under G the following sentence: and stresses the need to further test the compilation guidelines to ensure the reliability and the worldwide comparability of national accounts. Thanks a lot.

I thank the distinguished representative of Germany and now give the floor to distinguished representative of Uganda.

Thank you, Chair. We have strong reservations on the suggestion by UK because We are of the view that the Intersectoral Working Group on National Accounts and the Advisory Expert Group did a very good job and is still relevant. And in any case, there is a self-evaluation mechanism within the ISWG and National Accounts. So We are failing to understand where the new proposal is coming from.

I thank the distinguished representative of Uganda. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of GCCSTAT.

Statistics Center, we are emphasizing that we are willing to provide translation into Arabic for the 2030 census, because this will be extremely important for us and for the GCC. And we are waiting for the final document.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you. This was, um, the last speaker on my list. Thank you. And, um, and now Argentina. Argentina. Thank you. I've seen Argentina push the button quickly, so I now close the list. I give the floor to the distinguished delegate of Argentina.

Gracias, Chair.

Thank you, Chair. I just wanted to add to the recently suggested paragraph that we have concerns that the proposed revisions to this paragraph would lead— just to ensure that it doesn't lead to any doubt about the work that's been undertaken and what's been approved to date for the new manual so that we don't have any delays with implementation, especially when it comes to the capacity building which needs to be done in our various countries. So I'd like to understand slightly more whether this proposal casts doubt over that or whether it's forward-looking. I think that's something we need to look at because I fear that this could place into doubt everything that's already been done, and I think that would be a mistake. Thank you.

To distinguished delegate of Argentina, I propose that Uganda, Argentina, and the UK make an informal meeting. We suspend this here, we continue, and then you come back. Thank you very much. Look, Uganda, Argentina. Okay, very good. Thank you. Okay. We continue with the comments on the draft decision number 2. Is here anyone? Asking for the floor. Doesn't look like this. So may I take— Thank you. So I assume that, um, the— there is no comment on the draft decision 2, therefore it is adopted. Are there any comment on the draft decision 3? I see none. Therefore, the comments on draft decision 3 is adopted. And are there any comments on the draft definition 4 decision? I see the distinguished delegate of the Russian Federation.

Distinguished Chair. The Russian Federation proposes adding the third paragraph to paragraph 7 draft decision, paragraph 4. Note of this proposal. The proposed wording for the third point of paragraph C sounds the following way: enhancing clarity in a few selected instances, such as substituting other key stakeholders with other relevant national authorities in the first sentence of Section 2, paragraph 5. Thank you.

Thank you, the distinguished representative of the Russian Federation. I give now the floor to the distinguished delegate of Norway.

Yes, I was too quick, sorry. We're not at decision 5 yet, right? No, 4. No, 4.

Thank you. Too quick in Norway. Okay, but I see— thank you. I see the distinguished delegate from the Dominican Republic.

Thank you very much, Chair. The Dominican Republic supports the proposal of the Russian Federation. Thank you.

Thank you. Distinguished delegate of the Dominican Republic, and now to the distinguished delegate of the United States.

Thank you, Chair.

Um, in response to the Russian Federation suggestion for sub-bullet C, the third paragraph, I think we would have some doubts about that, uh, addition. The idea of perhaps limiting the scope there, I think, is one that we've seen in other areas, and we would need to, uh, perhaps have some informal consultations right now to discuss where we could find an agreement. But as drafted, I'm not sure that's something we'd be able to agree to right now. Thank you.

Thank you, the distinguished delegate of the United States. I think it's a good suggestion that you make an informal consultation and propose wording. Thank you very much. So, 1 and 4. And I see the distinguished delegate of India.

Just wanted to say that we are supportive of the changes being proposed and if there's an informal consultation, we would be happy to be part of it.

Okay, then I would say those who are interested in the informal consultation, India— exactly, they are on the way.

Very good.

I see the distinguished delegate of Cuba.

The delegation of Cuba would like to say we could be flexible about Russia's proposal and we'd like to participate in the informals on that discussion.

Okay, thank you very much. Everyone who wants to participate in that informal discussion— India, Cuba, Russian Federation, and the U.S.— And then we will take that back later on. We're turning now. I don't see any more requests for the list on my list. So are there any comments on the draft decision number 5? Now, Norway.

I'm sorry, it's decision 7, so I will wait.

I like the Norwegian humor. I don't see any request for draft decision 5, so we turn to the— are there any comments on draft decision 6? I don't see any requests for the list. So are there any comments on the draft decision 7?

Norway. Finally, thank you. So we suggest adding to decision B, appreciated the data for now initiative to strengthen capacity on data innovation to enhance the production of this and dissemination of data. And now it comes, and supported the re-establishment of a Data for Now trust fund. And then you can continue. Thank you.

Thank you. As amended, I see no further requests for the list. I come to the next item. Are there any comments on the draft decision 8. I don't see any request for the list. Are there any comments on the draft decision number 9? I don't see any requests. Are there any comments on draft decision number 10? I see no request for the list. Are there any comments on the draft decision number 11? I see the distinguished delegate of Canada.

Uh, thank you, Chair. Um, simply a few editorial comments. Um, in paragraph B of the decision, uh, the word primer should be plural as there were two documents that were prepared. Um, in, in paragraph E, um, to ensure, um, in order to be consistent with the decision, uh, in paragraph D, that the expert group report directly to the Statistical Commission. I would suggest the following wording: endorse the terms of reference of the EGWM, subject to the updating of paragraph 18 to reflect the decision of the Commission regarding the reporting of the group, and removing paragraph 19. Thank you.

Thank you for the intervention. That makes complete sense. Thank you. We adopt that. Revision. Okay. Then are there any comments on the draft Decision 12? I see no request for the list. Are there any comments on the draft decision 13? I see no request. Are there any comments on the draft decision 14? I see no request. Are there any comments on the draft decision 15? I see no request. Are there any comments on the draft decision 16? No request. Are there any comments on the draft decision 17? I see the distinguished delegate of the ILO.

Thank you, Chair. We would suggest in 17

Thank you for the Intervention. It makes sense, so adopted. Um, I don't see any more who request the list. So are there any comments on the draft decision 18? I see the distinguished delegate of Ghana.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I'm making this request on behalf of the African group. That there should be two additional submissions under this decision. That is, requests to access the existing data— DHS data as a public good. So the global statistical community needs to support ongoing efforts to ensure continued access to the DHS repository of survey data methods. Secondly, requested for sustainable long-term solutions to the DHS, to demographic and health production, data production, because survey data remain critical source of data, especially for developing countries, and we think this is something that need to be captured as part of the Decision 18.

Thank you. Thank you very much for the intervention of Ghana. Could you provide the exact formulation once again? We didn't got it Write the text itself.

Requested access to existing DHS data as a public good. The global statistical community needs to support ongoing efforts to ensure continued access to the DHS repository of survey data and methods. That is the first one. Then the second one is, requested for sustainable long-term solutions to demographic and health data production. Surveys remain a critical source of basic demographic and health data in all countries, especially in many low- and middle-income countries. There is therefore the need to develop sustainable financing and technical assistance solutions for countries. Thank you.

Thank you to the distinguished delegate of Ghana. I now give the floor to the distinguished delegate of Kenya.

Thank you so much, Chair. Mine is to support the two points that have been submitted by Ghana. Chair, we know that access to information is very important because surveys are normally very, very, very expensive to undertake, especially in terms of finances and technical expertise and even the time that is taken.. And so data mining is really encouraged. And two, on that, is about ensuring that we promote the wider use of statistics. And so access to data, and especially DHS, is very important to us. The second point on the financing of DHS, Chair, we take note of the fact that resources are getting meager and meager, but demands for granular data is actually increasing with time. And so it is really important that we get a sustainable way of ensuring that data is— I mean, DHS is supported, and especially when it comes to basket kind of funding through different partners. This is very important and it has proven to be working in a few countries that have tried that. So I do submit that the two propositions to be included in the resolution. Thank you, Chair.

I thank the distinguished delegate of Ghana and now give the floor to distinguished— no, Kenya, sorry— distinguished delegate of Finland.

Thank you, Chair.

I had problems to exactly follow what was proposed.— but I have a feeling that there is at least one part of what is misleading. If I heard correctly, it was proposed that in all countries— this is not factually true. In— at least in some countries, there is no need for surveys as the same information is available for administrative registers or other sources of information. At least the word "all" should be replaced by something like "many" or "some." Thank you, sir.

Okay, thank you. A good point brought in from Finland. I've seen that Ghana also asked the floor. For us, it would be good if you really see exactly where you want to have what kind of changes. Maybe I give you right now the floor, but maybe it is better to come up here to show really where you want to have what kind of changes. But now I give first the floor to the representative of Ghana. Thank you.

Just to submit that we agree with the proposed amendment from all to some. Thank you. That I'll come up to you.

Yeah, okay. Thank you. That would be very good. We have heard it that you would accept the change of the word, but it would also be good really to look at. We continue? Okay. Thank you very much. Then this was 18. We clarify that. We switch to the next draft decision number. Are there any comments on the draft decision number 19? 19? I see no requests on the list. And are there any comments on the draft decision 20? Could you give it to Housni? I don't see any requests off the list. Are there any comments on the draft decision 21? Okay, I don't see any on the requests for the list. So the— Last one, are there any comments on the draft decision 22? I see none. Okay. We still have 3 open. It was item 1, item 4, and item 18. We clarify that. Second? Okay. We continue with the last 3 items from this morning. The procedure is as follows. We show the text at the screen so you can read through. I ask if there is any comment and then we do the same for 24 and 25. These were the items from this morning. As soon as they are ready, On the screen, I will give you some time to read through it and then ask you then the question of if there are any comments. Now you see the text 23. Just to remind you, this is exactly that what Francesca Grum was saying. So there are no changes, changes, changes, changes, um, in the text. It's exactly what you already have heard. Okay. I hope you had enough time. Are there any comments on this decision item 23? I don't see any request for the list, so we do the same for 24. Again, this was exactly that was Rina has said. Are there any comments on the— that item 24? Scroll down, there's more. Ah, there we scrolled down, there's some more waiting. Okay, anyone who has any comments on the draft? Item— I don't see that anyone is requesting the list. And then we come to the item 25. Actually, this is what we already have decided. It's just that it's transparent for you that you can see that. This was— this— 25, yeah. It was the program statement and the item for information. So it's just for you that you see, reason of transparency. Okay, very good. No one is requesting the floor. So this is— Okay, thank you very much. The informal consultation is over as far as I see. Thank you very much. We have a proposal now starting with the item of decision number 4. Gabriel.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair. Following the informal consultation with Cuba, the Russian Federation, the Dominican Republic, the United States, and India, it has been decided to keep the wording as it stands in the decision. So the last point of the last bullet point of Point C reads, as it stands, enhancing clarity in a few selected instances, since we believe that at this stage it gives us flexibility to adapt at a later stage the terms of reference.

Thank you. Are there any comments on that proposal. I don't see any request for the list. Thank you. So it's agreed as advised. Now we turn to draft decision item 18.

Just one second.

Okay, we have a suggestion. Yes, how we— it's how we— hello.

So under item F, the suggested addition, do I just read the suggested? 18F, decision 18F. The addition reads as, "Including ensuring access to existing DHS data as public good, semicolon, and developing a sustainable long-term solution to demographic and health data production, period." The whole F, okay. The whole F. 18F. Requested the establishment of a task force under the working group to lead efforts in supporting countries in response to the termination of the demographic and health surveys and potential reduction of other survey programs, comma, including ensuring access to existing DHS data as public good and developing a sustainable long-term solution to demographic and health data production.

You've heard the proposal. Are there any— Ghana, Kenya, and Finland spoke on this. This was the proposal of Ghana, Finland, and Kenya. And I see Uganda is asking the floor. I give the floor to the distinguished Delegate of Uganda.

Thank you, Chairman. We wanted to, to inform members that Uganda conducted U DHS without the support that I see countries are lamenting about. We are talking about professional independence, and it's high time that countries should develop internal capacity to conduct the household surveys, including UDHS, the DHS program, using country cooperation. For example, in Africa, we are arguing for South-South cooperation where we can learn from each other, and we are willing to provide the way how we succeeded. So lamenting that we create another working group because DHS program has been terminated should not bother the Commission very much.

Thank you, distinguished delegate of Uganda, for your intervention. Did I understand it well? You have no objection against the new text proposal? Am I right? Okay, thank you. And then I see the distinguished delegate of Finland.

Thank you, Chair. New text is exactly— or very well from the Finnish perspective. Thank you very much for the formulation.

Very good. Thank you very much. Then I assume that we can agree as proposed. I see the United States.

Thank you, Chair. It's just a quick question. Perhaps it would be possible to see this reflected on the screen. It is a longer proposal, and therefore being able to just take one quick look at it would be useful. Thank you.

Okay, we try to do that.

In the meantime, I ask— I wanted to ask the UK, do you have a proposal for 2 minutes? Okay, okay, thank you. Yeah, it's a good— maybe Norvane has time for a good joke. I saw that you asked the floor. You see now the proposed text. I give you a bit time to read through it. 18F. 18F. Okay, I think you had enough time. I go back to distinguished delegate of the United States.

Thank you and appreciate you putting this on the screen. It's much easier to review now. I think we, we would have some more questions if this is going to be incorporated. I mean, this could open a door, um, that we don't quite understand exactly what is being requested. Um, so, you know, there's also been change recently in U.S. foreign policy related to the, to some of this stuff. So I think generally, um, we, we would need some clarifications here. Um, and for instance, using words like ensuring access, I, I'm not sure exactly how that would work. So at this current juncture, I'm not sure we'd be able to support this, but we're happy to have some informal consultations to discuss it. But as of now, this wouldn't work for us.

Okay, then I suggest that the same group together with the UN— sorry, with the United States, um, make an informal consultation. And I've seen that we have a proposal for agenda item Decision Item 1 from the UK. Then I give the floor to the distinguished delegate of the UK.

Thank you, Chair. We've discussed with Uganda and we've come to an agreed position, which is that the fiscal commission recognized the decisions made to date and the high-quality work which has led to the decisions. Emphasize the need for a user-focused approach to the development of the SNA research agenda, including through a mechanism of meaningful consultations. Requested a member-state-led review of the mandate in terms of reference of the Intersecretariat Working Group on National Accounts and the Advisory Expert Group on National Accounts in tandem with the implementation. This will ensure their continued relevance in guiding the SNA update process in an inclusive and transparent manner. Such review to report back to the Commission by 2027.

Thank you very much for the proposal from UK and Uganda. Any other views? Someone— I see the Finnish delegate.

Because the proposed new text is relatively long, it would be very good to have a possibility to see it in a written form. Thank you.

Yeah, we try to do that. Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished delegate of UNICEF.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As a proposal, couldn't be the request of the group that those that have the DHS data and documentation will be allowed to distribute and redistribute that?

As far as I understand it right, you're talking about 18F where I already We're sending the group that they have a discussion informally, so I would suggest that you join that group because they are making a suggestion. I mean, that was— we were showing on the screen before, they're talking about that now. Maybe you join them and then we come back what they have found out. But now is national accounts, decision one. That was a good one.

Okay, then you have to bring your computer there.

Okay, now you see the text.

Thank you, Chair.

Okay. Anyone want to comment of this proposal? Doesn't look like, then I assume it's agreed as advised. Thank you very much. And I see that the informal group is back. Are you ready, United States?

Yeah? I don't believe that the informal group is back. My colleague is still out with others, so—

Okay, then I suggest to make a short break. I say 5 minutes, I know you're back in 10. Now it's 23, we will meet each other 33 again. Thank you. The meeting is suspended. Distinguished delegates, please take your seats. We are ready to display the text. Please take your seats. We have the picture. Okay. Okay, we display the text in a second. In the meantime, this is a quiz. Which city that is. Okay, it is coming.

This is—

okay, now you can see it. I'll give a minute to read through. I don't see it. It's good, it's good.

20, that's too far.

18F. 19 here.

Here it is.

Yes, now it's good. Thank you.

Stop.

So this is the agreed language under 18F. Nothing has changed. Only the highlighted part has been modified slightly. So I'm going to read the yellow part, including— there are two bullet points, sub-bullet points now. One is— the first one is exploring access to existing DHS data and documentation. As appropriate. And bullet number 2, developing a sustainable long-term solution to demographic and health data production. Thank you.

Thank you. The question again, are there any comments on this suggestion, 18F? I don't see— Any objection? Then we would agree as suggested here, as advised. Very good. Thank you very much. Now we went through all these items. Fantastic. May I take it that the Commission wishes to adopt the draft decision contained in the informal paper as already revised? Include them and the adopted resolution in the final report and agree to entrust the rapporteur with finalizing the report by reflecting the proceedings of today's meeting. I hear no objection. It is so decided. The Commission has just concluded its consideration of agenda items 3, 4, and 8. Distinguished delegates, in accordance with our programme of work, the Commission has now completed its works for this session. I will now make a few closing remarks. Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed Colleagues, 2 years ago, the British economic historian Adam Tooze said, welcome to the world of polycrisis. One huge problem followed the next, and all are interconnected. Energy crisis, trade war, looming and actual wars. Sometimes when I read the news, I get the feeling that democracy is under attack from populists and autocrats. I could almost become depressed when I reading the news every morning. After intense day here in New York, I allow myself, dear colleagues, to take a look at these challenges we are facing today and how they are linked to the UN Statistical Commission. Yes, there are wars and there are violence. Yes, in recent months and years, it seems as if everything was falling apart. As if we, the member states of the UN, were failing in our tasks, as if life on Earth was becoming unbreathable in many places. The feeling that we are living in dark times is predominant. A proverb says, 'Expect the unexpected.' Humans do not seem particularly good at this. I, and probably you too, would prefer a future without coincidence and uncertainties, predictable and without alternatives. To avoid being too badly surprised, we expect the worst. This is what we humans often do. Negative trends of the present we simply project into the future as if they follow a downward natural law. What goes downhill today will continue to go downhill. The word formula of this pessimist. The possibility that times could change, and even for the better, does not play a role in such consideration. The pessimists always know how everything will end— badly. In reality, not everything is simply good. Of course not. Nothing bad becomes good just because it was even worse in the past. And if it is not consolation of people in need today that future generations may one day be better off than they are. But we are representatives of a guild of statisticians know very well what it seems is only a strangely disordered existence of what it is. In reality, the world is not ending. It's the contrary. Humanity has even has never been even better overall. The United Nations and all member states have contributed considerably to this. A few examples, and we all know that Hans Rosling, the positive thinking Swede, would agree with us in this analysis. Until 1963, when a vaccine finally became available, between 2 and 3 million people worldwide died of measles every year, more than 29 times as many as today. Overall, the number of deaths among children under 5 years has halved since the year 2000. They are just two positive examples related to SDG 3, good health and well-being. What does that mean for us, the members and observers of the UN Statistical Commission. Since its establishment in 1946, the United Nations Statistical Commission has been at the forefront of promoting the development of national statistics and improving their comparability. The Commission has played a central role in coordinating the statistical work of specialized agencies and developing central statistical services for the UN Secretary-General. The Commission's efforts have been crucial in fostering collaboration among Member States. In 2022, we decided to expand the scope of the Commission. In 2024, we decided to increase the number of member countries of the Commission and, more importantly, to ensure that the Commission leaves no one behind. Ladies and gentlemen, we are the people who produce and disseminate all the facts that are needed to have a common understanding of the situation on our planet, to know who we are, to compare the situation between different countries, and to take decisions on the political level. We might not always agree on how to solve an issue,, but at least we have a common ground where to start the discussion in order to find compromise and common solution. Simply said, without the UN Statistical Commission, there would not be a United Nations as we know it today. Ladies and gentlemen, let's have a look at the concrete work done by this Commission. This session of the Commission Like all sessions since 2015, was strongly linked to the Agenda 2030, Agenda for Sustainable Development. This year we have delved into the complexity of data collection and analysis and dissemination to ensure that our statistical systems are robust and reliable. Two of the most important products we have discussed and negotiated are the ECOSOC Draft Resolution on the SNA 2025 and the Global Census Round 2030. Both resolutions show that this Commission can make its contribution to a sustainable world. The information that will be produced on the basis of this resolution is changing the world. A simple paper, the resolution, become facts, the result that we publish. Ladies and gentlemen, the United Nations faces numerous global challenges, including geopolitical tension, climate change, and economic disparities. These issues require comprehensive and accurate data to inform policy decisions and drive sustainable development. Our Commission must continue to support the UN's effort in addressing these challenges through reliable, reliable statistical data. Ensuring international comparability and adherence to data and statistical standards remain a critical task. Harmonized standards are essential for producing comparable data across countries, which is vital for global economy and social analysis. The Commission's role in developing and promoting these standards cannot be overestimated. Into today— in today's digital age, the spread of misinformation and disinformation poses a significant threat to the integrity of trusted data. It is crucial to develop strategies to combat these issues ensure that accurate information is disseminated. The Commission has to address these challenges and uphold the credibility of trusted data. Misinformation and disinformation can undermine trust in democratic institutions and processes, leading to a disordered perception of reality and impaired decision-making. Social media platforms play a central role in the spread of disinformation, with algorithms often amplifying false information. The United Nations often faces challenges in securing adequate support and funding from member states. This lack of support can hinder the UN's, including our Commission's, ability to carry out its mandate effectively. Yes, the world needs the United Nations now more than ever. In an area marked by the unpredicted global challenges, it's a beacon of hope and cooperation. In this unique forum, nations come together, transcending borders and differences to forge collective solutions for the common good. Ladies and gentlemen, we keep hearing that only 17% of the SDGs have been achieved so far or are on track to be met by 2030. That might be true, but we should not forget the following: the SDGs do not represent a wish list, but a work program to which we, the 193 states of the Earth have committed ourselves. All the countries of the world came together and drew up a common social contract, the first ever. The fact that we are able to agree on this social contract demonstrates how important it is to find compromises to define a common basis. Yes, the 17 SDGs may be in danger again for now, and yes,— they will mostly not be achieved by 2030. But the fight for the goals is still worth it. The work for a better world also bears fruits if not 100% of the plan can be implemented, but only 17%. On a global scale, this still means that millions of people are less badly off, many lives are saved, and many get new opportunities. Behind our numbers, which show this too small progress, are people. Never forget that. They are people. We don't want to leave anyone behind. Achieving these tasks is like constant training along the way. It is important not to be overly impressed by the danger of failure or the probabilities of success. Dear colleagues, there is one person among us who has made a tremendous contribution to the achievement of our Commission and ultimately to the provision of important information and in supporting the 2030 Agenda. I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the remarkable contribution of Stefan Schweinfest, the Director of the United Nations Statistical Division. Under his leadership, the division has made significant progress in compiling and disseminating global statistical information. His efforts in developing standards and norms for statistical activity, including the integration of geospatial information, have been invaluable. Stefan's commitment to strengthening national statistical and geospatial systems has greatly enhanced the capacity of member states to produce high-quality data. His vision and dedication to have been— instrumental in advancing the work of the Statistical Commission. He will retire this summer, and I'm just thank— I'm very thankful for the collaboration with you, Stefan, over the years. Thank you very much. Thank you. Finally, colleagues, esteemed representatives of the member states of the United Nations and international organizations, and all others who are committed to the work under the roof of the UN Statistical Commission. It has been a great honor to chair the 56th session. I thank you all for your dedication and the hard work you have done. Together, we can continue to make significant progress in the field of data and statistics and support United Nations' mission for a better world. Thank you very much. Have a good trip back home. I declare the 56th session of the Statistical Commission as closed.