(6th meeting) Statistical Commission, 57th Session

Please take your seats.

The 6th meeting of the 57th session of the Statistical Commission is called to order. Before proceeding further, I would once again like to ask delegations to use the QR code located at the back of the room to add their email addresses to get the informal paper containing the draft decisions. Delegations are also reminded to send a copy of their statements to estatements@un.org prior to their delivery. I invite the Commission to continue its consideration of Agenda Item 3M, entitled Presentation of Statistical Data and Metadata, Dissemination of Statistics and Open Data. And to hear the remaining speakers in the debate on this item. The list of speakers was closed this morning and no further requests for the floor will be accommodated. The time limit remains 1.5 minutes per speaker and the microphone light will blink when the time has elapsed and speakers will be asked to conclude. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Bahamas.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Bahamas, on behalf of the CARICOM region, thanks the Secretariat for the report and commends the Statistics Division and its partners for advancing open and AI-ready official statistics. We welcome progress in implementing the statistical data and metadata exchange standard as the foundation for modernizing official statistics. We share the view that interlope data and robust metadata are essential for efficient exchange and AI readiness. Although integrating datasets from diverse agencies remain technically and organizationally challenging for our countries due to differences in flows, volume structures, and workflows, we wish to highlight 3 points. First, the ongoing project of CARICOM for strengthening the statistical capacity to implement and interlope ICT infrastructure to automate and exchange statistics production and dissemination demonstrates the value of regional cooperation in strengthening statistical infrastructure, promoting harmonized data flows, and building sustainable technical capacity. Second, the work undertaken by the Statistical Institute of Belize to integrate artificial intelligence tools into statistical processing include including applications of data processing and dissemination, underscores the importance of SDMX-compliant, well-documented, and interloped data systems to assure AI applications are transparent, reliable, and aligned with international standard. Third, sustained support for much effort, particularly for small island developing states and other developing countries, is critical. High-quality machine-readable data and coordinated SDMX structures will enable the responsible and transparent use of artificial intelligence in official statistics. We support the recommendations contained in the report, encourage continued collaboration to advance interlope, trusted, and future-ready statistical systems. Thank you, Chair.

Very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Bahamas, and I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cameroon.

Thank you, Madam Chair, for giving me the floor. Cameroon delegation, on behalf of the Africa Group, welcomes the report of the Secretary-General on statistical data, open data, and the modernization of UN data. The group particularly welcomes the data commons Africa Initiative developed in collaboration with UNECA. We will serve as a regional analytical hub to build open UN data infrastructure. The group also affirms its support for open data and interoperable official statistics while emphasizing that this transition must be anchored in trust, especially regarding confidentiality and security. Legal ambiguities surrounding microdata dissemination and the associated risk of re-identification remain a major concern for us. The group encouraged the development of practical guidelines adopted for low-resource settings, particularly regarding metadata production, the adoption of SDMS standards, and the single source of truth architectures to reduce duplication of effort. We also highlight the need to preserve access to high-value data such as those from the DH Program, and support efforts to clarify their governance. In conclusion, the Africa Group insists on maintaining the eBREAD approach for publication to support users with limited internet access, while calling for sustainable funding to ensure multilingualism, and accessibility. The group invites the Commission to take note of the work on open data to encourage responsibility and resilience and to provide strategic direction for the future of publication. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Cameroon. I now give the floor to the distinguished Representative of Peru.

Thank you, Chair. We support the report presented by the UN Statistics Division, which puts forward a comprehensive proposal to strengthen the presentation, dissemination, and reuse of official statistics in a context marked by increasing demand for open data— interoperable data prepared for the use by AI. We support the use of international standards and the exchange of practices, and we have been using SDMX for data that's harmonized with national and international platforms. At the international level, we have taken steps to strengthen the use of open data, which represents a significant step forward in terms of transparency and public statistics. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Peru, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Kiribati.

Thank you, Madam Chair. On behalf of the Pacific countries, this welcome— uh, the statement welcomes the UN Secretary-General's report on the presentation and dissemination of statistical data and metadata. And acknowledges the leadership of the UN Statistics Division in promoting open, interoperable, and AI-ready official statistics. Pacific regions support the emphasis on open and machine-readable data to strengthen trust, data reuse, and evidence-based decision-making. Pacific National Statistics Offices working with the Pacific community are Improving data dissemination and metadata practices. Fiji and Samoa launched SDMX-based national data portals in 2025 with the support of ESCAP and ADB, and similar portals are planned for Kiribati, Nauru, and Vanuatu in 2026. These initiatives complement wider regional efforts to modernize official statistics, including a 2025 modernization progress assessment that will inform a Pacific roadmap for statistical modernization in 2026. However, the region continues to face significant capacity constraints requiring gradual and carefully, carefully sequenced progress towards open and AI-ready data systems. The Pacific therefore welcomes recognition of legal technical and capacity challenges, and also calls for continued collaboration between the UN SIDS, SPC, and development partners to ensure global initiatives are adapted to the needs of small island developing states and support sustainable statistical systems. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Kiribati. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Singapore.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Singapore supports the recommendations in Section 3 on challenges and opportunities in making official statistics open and AI-ready, which provide guidance for developing AI-ready statistical systems. We recognize the importance of well-structured metadata for official statistics to facilitate discoverability and adherence to international standards of openness in our data dissemination practices. Both have contributed to Singapore's strong position in the Global Open Data Inventory ranking. Singapore is also making progress in developing AI-ready official statistics through practical action in several key areas. First, implementing machine-readable data architectures Content through APIs with comprehensive documentation in OpenAPI specifications to enable automated discovery by search engines and AI chatbots alongside machine-readable formats such as structured HTML web pages. Second, embedding rich metadata directly into data systems and websites using standardized schemas to enhance discoverability and provide context for search engines and AI applications. So these measures improve search engine optimisation, thereby enhancing AI discoverability of official stats. Future considerations will include model context protocols as standardised mechanisms to facilitate integration and interoperability with other AI applications. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Singapore. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Slovenia.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Slovenia welcomes the report of the UNSD and commends the UN for its continued work in promoting open, interoperable, and AI-ready official statistics. The work is essential for strengthening transparency, trust, and evidence-based policymaking in an increasingly complex data ecosystem. We particularly appreciate the efforts to modernize the UN data platform and to advance the UN Data Commons as a shared global infrastructure for accessible and interoperable statistical information. Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia has made significant progress in data openness. According to the Open Data Inventory 2024, we rank among the top 10 countries globally, reflecting a high level of —openness, accessibility, and reusability of official statistics. This achievement confirms the importance of sustained investment in user-oriented dissemination, machine-readable formats, and high-quality metadata. We also recognize the importance of modern dissemination practices. Digital publication formats, interactive dissemination tools, and machine-readable outputs improve accessibility while ensuring cost-effective and user-centered communication of statistics. At the same time, the increasing use of AI requires careful consideration of legal frameworks and governance mechanisms. Aggregated statistical data can be openly disseminated, but microdata must remain subject to controlled access procedures and strict confidentiality safeguards. Maintaining public trust and protecting respondents must remain a central principle. In this context, Slovenia supports a responsible digital transformation of official statistics. This approach should be grounded in clear standards, strong metadata systems, and robust confidentiality protection. Slovenia would like to express its appreciation to the Statistics Division. Thank you so much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Slovenia. And I get the I now pass the floor to the distinguished representative of Switzerland.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Switzerland remains strongly committed to advancing open government data in line with international best practices. Switzerland advises that trustworthy artificial intelligence depends on high-quality and interoperable data and metadata. Ensuring the public sector data is fair, reliable, and transparently documented is essential for building AI systems systems that serve both administrations and citizens. This commitment guides Switzerland's effort in its advances in open, responsible, and innovative-friendly data ecosystem. Finally, Switzerland strongly supports the move towards AI-ready data and statistics. This means providing rich, structured metadata, validating augmented data accessibly through APIs, and platforms optimized for AI use. These steps are essential to enable advanced analytics to meet the evolving needs of users. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Switzerland. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Austria.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Austria welcomes the continued efforts of the Statistics Division to promote open, interoperable, and user-oriented dissemination of official statistics. We particularly appreciate the progress made in strengthening standards, metadata practice, and capacity building activities supporting national statistical offices. Austria also welcomes the modernization of the UN Data Platform and the development of the UN Data Commons as important steps to improve access accessibility, interoperability, and usability of officials— of global statistical information. Continued cooperation with national statistical offices will remain essential to ensure alignment with user needs and efficient data exchange based on international standards. Austria recognizes the opportunities of making official statistics more open and AI-ready, particularly through improved metadata in machine-readable formats. At the same time, strong safeguards for confidentiality, privacy, and the responsible use of data remain essential. Finally, Austria supports efforts, efforts to modernize dissemination practices, including the increased use of digital formats, while ensuring accessibility for diverse user groups and promoting multilingual access.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. Germany supports the UN initiative on open data, UN Data Commons, and AI capability of official statistics. We particularly welcome the introduction of an UN Data Commons platform that enables open access to UN-wide data. In our view, the main challenges are the integration of heterogeneous data and metadata and their standardization, which require a higher level of coordination. Second, a high-performance IT infrastructure combined with the high costs of implementation and service, and so on. And third, the conflict of objectives between standardization and centralization at a global level and flexibility and individual technical requirements at lower levels. In summary, this challenge demonstrates that the path to a successful UN Data Commons and strengthened AI capacity for official statistics requires a shared global commitment from technical standardization to flexible adaptation to national and regional needs. Only through close collaboration and innovative solutions can we overcome this cross-cutting challenge and realize the vision of an open, accessible, and intelligent data ecosystem. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Germany. And I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Malaysia.

Thank you, Chair. Malaysia welcomes the ongoing modernization of the UN data platform, including the adoption of knowledge graph infrastructure, natural language search capability, and SDMX standard, which significantly enhance accessibility, interoperability, and analytical use. During—

drawing from national experience, Malaysia has strengthened its dissemination ecosystem through an integrated national statistics portal, machine-readable open data services, interactive dashboard, and official digital communication channel to reach diverse user groups.

These practices have enhanced transparency usability, and trust in official statistics, and are reflected in Malaysia's strong performance in international open data assessment, including ranking first globally in Open Data Inventory ODIN 2024-25 with a high overall score.

Malaysia continues to strengthen its national statistical system to ensure that data are timely, accessible and interoperable.

Through the Department of Statistics, Malaysia, several initiatives in line with this objective have been implemented, including open data and SDG reporting. Thank you, Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Malaysia. I now give the floor to the distinguished The English representative of the United Arab Emirates.

Madam Chair, the UAE thanks the Statistical Division at the United Nations for the continued efforts in order to develop the dissemination of data, metadata, and promoting open data to contribute to the accessibility of data and their usability by policymakers and researchers and to support policymaking. We also applaud the progress achieved in modernizing U.N. data, and we encourage that member states continue to be updated on the developments in order to align the needs with the national priorities. And the UAE affirms the need to commit to the international standards of metadata and promoting the methodologies and the accessibility of data, including um, the downloading services and the different applications and the guaranteeing of the ability to use the platforms. In conclusion, we affirm our readiness to exchange our experience with others in this field to contribute to interoperability and the building of a more integrated global data ecosystem. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of the UAE. I would like to ask delegations to please send their statements to estatements@un.org to assist the interpreters in their work. And I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Indonesia.

Thank you, Chair. Indonesia takes note and supports the work of the Statistics Division in advancing open data for official statistics through strengthened standards, metadata, and global data platforms. As the national data steward, PPS Statistics Indonesia promotes national data and metadata standards and is advancing the use of SDMX to improve interoperability and trust in official statistics. Indonesia also supports the modernization of the UN Data Platform towards a more integrated and interoperable system. We encourage continued practical guidance to support adoption, particularly for developing countries. Indonesia also recognizes both the opportunities and challenges in making official statistics open and AI-ready, emphasizing the importance of strong standards, metadata, and data governance. Finally, we support a digital-first approach to statistical dissemination with machine-readable formats to broaden data use while maintaining official statistics as a trusted public good.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Indonesia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Lao PDR appreciates the work done by UNSTD. We remain a strong advocate for open data principles and call upon the Commission to ensure that global standards for dissemination and meta remain achievable for the national statistics office at all levels of development. We emphasize that increasing technical sophistication must be matched by appropriate investment in the institutional capacity. Furthermore, we highlight that the demand side of statistics, especially Data literacy is as critical as data supply. We would therefore welcome international guidance and peer learning opportunity to strengthen these national strategies and encourage the Commission to formally recognize data literacy as a pillar of a functional statistical ecosystem. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Doulas gracias. I thank the distinguished representative of the Lao PDR. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mongolia.

Thank you, Chair. Mongolia considers metadata to be fundamental basics for open data, data integration, and data processing. The country is working toward developing standardized, reliable metadata system that can be used for AI to effectively achieve this goal. Mongolia believes that international cooperation and targeted support are essential. Mongolia views metadata as key foundational element for accessing AI readiness within the national statistics system. Therefore, Mongolia requests support and assistance aimed at strengthening technological solutions and home resource capacity in order to further develop this system and expand its use. The National Statistics Office of Mongolia considers to be an important tool for improving the quality, accessibility, and efficiency of official statistics. In this regard, Mongolia seeks to cooperate with other countries and organizations through experience and information sharing. At the same time, technical competence Of regions with limited internet access, Mongolia would like to underscore that the printed statistical publications remain essential as financial and budgetary challenges are expected in 2026.

I'd ask the speaker to please conclude the statement.

Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Mongolia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of UNFPA.

Thank you, Chair. UNFPA welcomes the Secretary-General's report and commends the Statistics Division for advancing open, accessible, and interoperable statistics statistical dissemination systems. We support the modernization of the UN Data Commons as an opportunity to enhance coherence across UN data platforms and strengthen discoverability and usability of official statistics. In this context, UNFPA is aligning and upgrading its Population Data Portal, PDP+, to enhance interoperability within a federated UN Data Commons architecture. Our objective is to ensure that population data, census, CRVS survey, and geospatial layers are accessible, standardized, and usable across the system. We also strongly support the emphasis on preserving access to existing datasets as a public good for development. Disaggregated population data by age, sex, and geographic location must remain central to dissemination standards. These dimensions are foundational to monitoring inequalities and ensuring that no population group is statistically invisible. UNFPA remains committed to collaborating with governments and partners to advance open standards-based and interoperable data systems.

Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the UNFPA. We have now heard the last speaker in this debate. I would like to ask Ms. Jeon Jing-min, Officer in Charge of the Development, Data and Outreach Branch of UNSD, to summarize our discussion on this item.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Statistical Commission took note of the statistical division's work on open data. And encourage continued technical support, particularly for low-resource countries and SEEDs, to advance open, interoperable, and AI-ready official statistics, strengthen metadata standards and methods, and uphold confidentiality, trust, and the fundamental principle of official statistics. Call for efforts to protect and preserve access to existing open data as a global public good and call for data literacy as a key pillar of statistical development. The Commission welcomed and encouraged continued effort on the development of the UN Data Commons Platform and the Data Commons for Africa as a global and regional access points for statistical data and metadata while ensuring alignment with national practices and addressing challenges on technology infrastructure, coordination, and financial sustainability. The Commission recognized both the opportunities and the challenges of making official statistics open, AI-ready, and future-ready, and underscored the need for harmonized metadata, clear legal, ethical, and governance frameworks, and safeguards to protect confidentiality, and the practical guidance for countries at a different level of digital readiness. The Commission supported the continued modernization of the Statistical Division's publications, including a hybrid digital and print approach that is accessible and multilingual. Supported secure financial resources for publications, and encouraged integrated machine-readable formats and strengthening linkages between narrative outputs, data, and metadata. Thank you.

Doy las gracias a la señora.

I thank Ms. Min. The Commission has concluded its discussion of Item 3M. I now invite the Commission to begin its consideration of Agenda Item 3N, 3 entitled Statistical Capacity Development, under which the Commission has before it for discussion and decision the report of the Secretary General on that matter contained in document E/CN3/2026/16. A background document is also available on the Commission's website. I now give the floor to Mr. Amr Nour, Chief of the Data Innovation and Capacity Branch of the UN Statistics Division, to introduce the report.

Thank you, Madam Chair, distinguished chair, and delegates. The Commission has before it the report of the Secretary-General on statistical capacity development prepared a response to the Commission's request in its Decision 54/113. As noted in the 2025 Friday seminar on emerging issues, the broader context and ecosystem of statistical capacity development have become increasingly complex. This includes global financing constraints, the increased gap between NSOs' mandates and assigned resources, the rich landscape of statistical capacity development partners and stakeholders, and the imperative urgent need for modernization of statistical systems. Bearing in mind this context and drawing on the outcomes of the 2025 Friday Seminar on emerging issues, the report suggests to the Commission's consideration and guidance three main points. First, embedding statistical capacity development within the broader— UN system-wide approach to capacity development, including through the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework at country level. This would provide a more sustainable support that is demand-driven, nationally owned, and embedded in national planning and financing frameworks. Such approach would also help optimize scarce resources while mobilizing multiple partners and stakeholders in a coordinated systemic approach to meeting national statistical demands. Second, a coordinated overview of capacity development mandates emanating from the Commissions. This would ensure coherence in strategic direction and a more effective impact assessment of capacity development statistical programs and deliverables by various partners. It would also help identify capacity gaps, propose remedies, and promote accountability. Third, leveraging the interconnectedness among the service lines offered by the UN Statistics Division. This would optimize the offering and deliverables by UNSD to the NSOs and the statistical capacity development partners and stakeholders. It also recognizes that capacity development must support the safe and, and sustained adoption of innovation to produce trusted and actionable statistics.. A background document elaborates further on this point. Based on these proposals, the Commission is invited to take action as set out in paragraph 72 of the report.

I thank you. Muchas gracias, señor Nour.

I thank Mr. Nour. The Commission will now begin its debate on the report. Once more, the list of speakers will close in 10 minutes. After which I will read out the list. Delegations wishing to speak are kindly requested to press the microphone button to be added to the list, as no further requests will be accommodated after its closure. The time limit will be 1 minute 30 seconds per speaker. The microphone light will blink when the time has elapsed, and speakers will be asked conclude. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Philippines.

The Philippines. Thank you, Madam Chair. The Philippines welcomes the report of the Secretary-General on statistical capacity development and takes note of the outcomes of the 2025 Friday Seminar on emerging issues. We express our appreciation to UNSD and its key partners for their sustained support to member states. The Philippines supports an integrated, system-wide, and country-led approach to statistical capacity development firmly aligned with national priorities, the SDGs, and the principles of national ownership and accountability. Sustainable capacity development is most effective when it strengthens the entire statistical system, particularly through investments in human capital, institutional learning, and strategic leadership. We also recognize that capacity development efforts should extend beyond data production to strengthening data use, communication, and statistical literacy, ensuring that statistics meaningfully inform policymaking and public accountability. And lastly, the Philippines acknowledges the critical coordination role of UNSD and supports continued collaboration with relevant bodies regional commissions, and development partners to improve coherence and effectiveness to maximize the impact of capacity development efforts. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Philippines. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Morocco.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Africa Group— the Africa Group welcome and support the report on Secretary-General on statistical development led by by the UNSD. The report comprehensively outlines best practice steps to be taken in close collaboration with partners in order to improve coordination and alignment of activities on the basis of existing mechanisms and resources. The Africa Group take note of the report, most importantly the outcomes of the 2025 Friday Seminar. Africa appreciates the integrated and system-wide approach sets it out in Section 5 and welcomes the 5 closely interconnected service lines which provide a structural way to connect governance, financing, and innovation in response to country demand, strengthen coherence, and align efforts without creating new burdensome mechanisms. Africa acknowledged the role of UNSD in supporting the strategic coordination of statistical capacity developments at a global, regional, and national level. In line with the report, Africa requests the Division to further strengthen collaboration with all stakeholders, including the regional statistical commission and relevant coordination bodies. It's also— it is also imperative to ensure effective connection with the United Nations Resident Coordinator System, including through the integration of statistical priority into common country analysis and United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. To promote coherence, complementarity, and impact at the country level. Africa commends the role played by the Statistics Division in supporting the strategic coordination of statistical capacity development and supports its effort to make more systematic use of existing mechanisms and forums to review progress, share lessons, promote alignment with national and regional strategies. Africa also—

Gregoire, conclude.

Africa also supports piloting such arrangements built on an existing mechanism and resources, with lessons learned informing further organization as appropriate. Finally, Africa supports the request that the Statistics Division reports back to the Commission at its 58th session. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Morocco.

I now give the floor to the distinguished Representative of Albania.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Albania welcomes the report on the Secretary General on statistical capacity development and the operational overview of the 5 interconnected service lines. We appreciate the system-wide approach and the emphasis on demand-driven support embedded within national development planning and financing framework. For Albania, statistical capacity development is a core institutional priority. As we advance in our European integration process and implement modernization reforms, strengthening the national statistical system remains essential for our evidence-based policymaking, sustainable development, and public trust. We particularly welcome the report focus— the report focus on integrated governance, stronger alignment with national planning frameworks, enhancing coordination across the United Nations system, and accountability for results and sustainability. In recent years, Albania has undertaken significant institutional strengthening efforts, including modernization of IT infrastructure, expanded use of administrative and register-based data, integration of statistics— statistical and geospatial information, strengthened quality assurance mechanism, and reinforced cybersecurity and institutional resilience. These reforms underline the importance of long-term institutional strengthening rather than a fragmented short-term intervention. Albania supports the integrated and system-wide approach outlined in the report and recognizes the 5 service lines in as a coherent, coherent structure for delivering more strategic and sustainable capacity development. We stress the importance of stronger coordination— okay— reduced duplication activities, better alignment with national statistical strategies. In the context of increasing demands, including digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and climate-related statistics, capacity developments must support systemic transformation and institutional resilience. Albania supports the Commission's proposed action and looks forward to further reporting in its 58th session in 2027. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Albania. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Norway.

Thank you, Chair. Norway welcomes the report and supports the approach for further advancing Statistical capacity development. We appreciate the focus on direct country support and increased coordination. Given the limited resources and heavy workload on the UN Statistics Division, we suggest considering delivering the next report not in 2027 but in 2 years, as has been the standard for these reports. We further suggest that UNSD, in collaboration with partners, explore how some of the coordination work potentially can be linked up with larger coordination initiatives. For example, it may be worth exploring if analysis of financing for statistics should be integrated into the larger cross-sectoral mechanisms. Separately, we would like to underline and support the important work underway to update the Generic Law on Official Statistics, in short GLOSS, under auspices of UNSE, with strong support from UNST and several NSOs. A modern, coherent, and internationally aligned legal framework is essential for official statistics to remain trusted, relevant, and effective. And serve as a basis for developing statistical capacity. Updating the Gloss is a concrete contribution to that objective. The update directly addresses several relevant legal challenges, including data access, confidentiality, and evolving role of national statistical offices in increasingly complex data ecosystems.

Thank you. I thank the distinguished representative representative of Norway. As I mentioned previously, the, the speakers list has now been closed and no further requests will be accepted. The speakers on my list are as follows: United Arab Emirates, Georgia, Tunisia, Japan, Laos People's Democratic Republic, Maldives, Vietnam, Equatorial Guinea, Uzbekistan, Belize, UNCTAD, CARICOM, IMF, and Sri Lanka. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the UAE.

Madam Chair, the United Arab Emirates thanks the Secretary-General and UNSD for the report on statistical capacity development. It indeed underscored progress made and current challenges. We stress the importance of promoting efforts in this vital sector. We also welcome and commend efforts on the system-wide level, and we believe that it is important to strengthen current mechanisms in order to avoid any duplication and to respond to the needs of countries. In this regard, we are ready to contribute our national expertise in order to strengthen, um, statistical capacities, being the hub for the United Nations for big data. This is a way to use big data and data science in national statistics. This is a way also to promote SDGs and to exchange knowledge in terms of innovative, um, mechanisms. We also develop capacities through our national efforts via our training center in Abu Dhabi. It, uh, works on strengthening national capacities and exchanging expertise regionally and internationally. Finally, we look forward to the report to be submitted to the Commission in 2027, and we underscore joint responsibility and a way to put together more sustainable and stronger statistics systems.

Thank you. I thank the distinguished representative of the United Arab Emirates. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Georgia.

Ladies and gentlemen, Georgia fully supports and greatly appreciates the report of the Secretary-General on statistics development. It reflects the very challenges and defines our work at the national level and reinforces why this Commission's leadership on capacity building remains indispensable. Georgia has approached this challenge with determination and strategic clarity. In 2023, we enacted a new law on official statistics of Georgia aligned with the European Statistics Code of Practice and developed in close cooperation with Eurostat. This commitment has translated into transformative milestones. In late 2024, Georgia successfully conducted a fully digital census, a landmark achievement that modernized our data collection infrastructure and strengthened nation's statistical capacity. Innovation too is a core pillar of our approach. In 2025, GeoSTAT introduced AI-powered tool to improve user access and service delivery, expanded our network of thematic data portals, and deepening engagement with media, academia, and local government. We do this because statistical capacity only delivers its full value when data is understood, trusted, and used. Georgia remains firmly committed to building a statistical system that is modern, credible, and internationally aligned, and to playing an active role in the global statistical community under UN leadership. Thank you, Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Georgia I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Tunisia.

Thank you, Madam Chair. We welcome the report of the Secretary-General on statistical capacity development. We recognize the important role of the United Nations Statistics Division to support the efforts to strengthen statistical capacities. We underscore the importance of a participatory approach involving the different stakeholders, as well as the need for alignment with national development plans. Such coordination is essential to achieve the objective of assisting countries in building strong, resilient, and flexible statistical systems capable of meeting the demands of the Sustainable Development Goals and reporting thereof. We also commend the work accomplished in this regard, which contributes to enhancing the responsiveness of statistical systems to the growing demand for data and indicators and strengthening the capacities of national statistical offices to produce indicators and reduce gaps in SDG reporting. We would like to note that within our strategic modernization agenda, we are preparing to conduct the 2034 census using administrative data sources and registers following the completion of our first digital census supported by geospatial information at the end of 2024. Achieving this goal will require to continue technical support and capacity building. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Tunisia, and I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of Japan.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, the United Nations Statistical Institute for for Asia and the Pacific, supported by Japan as its host country, has achieved significant results through extensive cooperation with the United Nations Statistics Division, other international bodies, and specialized agencies. For example, in 2025, SEAP organized 35 co-hosted courses, of which 12 were conducted in collaboration with the UNSD. Furthermore, in light of the increasing diversity and complexity of challenges surrounding official statistics, strengthening collaboration among relevant organizations is an effective way to advance statistical capacity development, as demonstrated by SEAP's efforts, and it will be important to further promote such efforts going forward. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Japan. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Lao PDR would like to thank the UNSCD for the report and for its continued support to strengthen statistical capacity in the countries. For the countries like Laos, a strong statistical system are very important. Good and reliable data help governments understand the real situations of our people and make better policy. It also help us to follow our progress toward national development goal and the 2030 Agenda. However, we still face many challenges, this including limited financial resources, lack of trained staff, and the need for better tools and technology to collect and manage the data. In this regard, we encourage continued support from United Nations system and development partners, especially through technical assistance. Training and long-term capacity building. We remain committed to strengthening our national statistical system and working closely with the partners to improve the data availability and quality of the data for sustainable development. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Lao PDR. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Maldives.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Maldives thanks the Secretary-General for the report and the related background document and supports the country-led approach to capacity development embedded in the United Nations broader capacity development mechanisms and well-coordinated with partners, including through the 5 service lines described in the report. Moldova reaffirms the importance of statistical legislation and related institutional and organizational frameworks for strengthening our national statistical system. This is especially important for the, for the responsible and trusted use of new data sources and innovative technologies so that official statistics can innovate and remain relevant, consistent with the fundamental principles of official statistics. We acknowledge the longstanding support provided by the UN Statistics Division to the Maldives Bureau of Statistics in strengthening and modernizing our national statistical legislation and related institutional and organizational frameworks. As further engagement is needed at the country level, we look forward to the continuation of this support on statistical legislation and regulatory reform through technical assistance and advisory services. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Maldives, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Vietnam.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Vietnam takes note and highly appreciates the efforts of the Statistics Division in implementation of global capacity-building activities. Vietnam is willing to participate actively in UNSD's statistical capacity-building activities. Vietnam would like to receive the continued support from UNSD and development partners to assist Vietnam to improve our institution environment as a framework for increasing the use of administrative data and new data sources such as big data, remote sensing data, blockchain. Additionally, Vietnam proposed UNSD to organize more training courses, face-to-face or online courses, in order to enhance the statisticians' capacity of the National Statistics of Vietnam.

Thank you. I thank the distinguished representative of Vietnam. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Equatorial Guinea.

Equatorial Guinea fully supports the statement made by Morocco on behalf of the African group. In addition, we would like to express our sharing of concern expressed— in the report regarding the fragmentation and unpredictability of funding allocated to development of statistical capacity. In this regard, we consider it essential to promote sustainable and long-term financing mechanisms for statistical systems, integrate the strengthening of statistical systems into planning processes, allocating specific outlays in national budgets ensure the financing of the production of quality statistics and promote coordination among development partners in order to avoid duplication and maximize the impact of availability— of available resources aimed to strengthening country statistical systems. Also, we recognize the importance of data governance and the fundamental principle of official statistics. In this regard, we emphasize the need to continue strengthening strengthening legal and institutional framework governing national statistical systems in developing countries, ensuring professional independence, data quality, and user trust in official statistics. Lastly, we express our support to the general guidance stated in the report of the Secretary-General and invite the UNSD to promote and integrated coordinated and sustainable approach to statistical capacity development based on national stewardship, adequate financing and long-term institutional strengthening as essential conditions for achieving sustainable development. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Doy las gracias a la distinguida representante de Guinea Ecuatorial.

I thank the distinguished representative of Equatorial Guinea. I now give the floor to the distinguished Representative of Uzbekistan.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The National Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan welcomes the report on statistical capacity development and supports its emphasis on demand-driven systems that's embedded in national development planning and financing mechanisms and in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Corporation frameworks. We welcome the integrated approach linking governance, financing, and innovation And we support the proposed service lines of the United Nations Statistics Division, including stronger data quality and governance, practical modernization, and improved dissemination and communication to increase the use of official statistics for decision-making. The National Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan is strengthening human capacity by recruiting young specialists and providing training in data analytics. And data science to build modern skills across the statistical system. In this context, we support the strong coordination among partners through existing mechanisms and better tracking of capacity development activities and results without increasing reporting burden on countries. Thank you for attention.

I thank the distinguished representative of Uzbekistan. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Belize.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Belize and CARICOM member states appreciate the information provided on the integrated system-wide approach to capacity development structured around the 5 interconnected service lines. We believe this framework provides a robust, non-duplicative way to connect governance, financing, and innovation to important country needs. We wish to emphasize the critical need to streamline collaboration between data producers and key users particularly policymakers and planners, as well as finance. We acknowledge that a significant gap remains in translating statistical data into actionable insights for evidence-based decision-making. In this regard, we strongly support the service line on coordination and system anchoring, which seeks to integrate statistical priorities directly into national development planning and United Nations cooperation frameworks. This will be key in translating data into action. Furthermore, CARICOM encourages the continued work on the Handbook of Manage— on Management and Organization of National Statistical Systems and the development of practical hands-on implementation tools and guidelines such as the Generic Law on Official Statistics. Strategic and managerial issues within NSOs are often neglected but form the essential foundation for the efficient operation of the entire national statistical system. We welcome the focus on strengthening legal and institutional frameworks to clarify roles in our changing data ecosystems. Regarding innovation, we encourage enhanced guidance on IT modernization and systems development. A modern modular IT architecture is a fundamental prerequisite for the effective use of big data, data science, and geospatial information. Without sustained investment in this digital backbone, our efforts to leverage frontier technologies will remain constrained. Finally, CARICOM commends the Statistics Division in supporting strategic coordination and requests that it continues to facilitate improved coherence across the UN system, reporting back to the Commission in 2027 on progress towards shared responsibility and mutual accountability for results. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Belize. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Sri Lanka.

Madam Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates.

Sri Lanka aligns itself with the proposal in the Secretary-General's report under Agenda Item 3N— and supports the points for discussion on strengthening national capacity to modernize national statistical system in line with national and international commitments. In our experience, one important and often underestimated aspect of capacity development is support for modernizing the institutional and organizational frameworks that keep official statistics relevant, timely, and trusted. Statistical and related legislation is a key enabler for clarifying mandates and coordinating across the national statistical system, defining the national statistical officers' engagement with the broader data ecosystem, and supporting its role— roles in data governance and stewardship in line with the fundamental principles of official statistics. And strong safeguards for confidentiality. This foundation is also essential to responsibly access and use innovative data sources and new technologies, including artificial intelligence, where appropriate, under clear governance arrangements and that ensure transparency, quality, accountability, and continued public trust. Sri Lanka is advancing a comprehensive statistical law reform process as part of our broader modernization efforts, closely linked to the development of the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics for 2025 to 2030, initiated in late 2023. This reform seeks to provide a clear and future-ready legal foundation for the development, production, and dissemination of official statistics as a matter of public interest and public trust, and to strengthen coordination across the national statistical system. We are currently in line in the final stages of the national approval process, with the draft text submitted to the legal draftsman and processing towards consideration by the Cabinet of Ministers. Sri Lanka expresses its deep appreciation to the United Nations Statistics Division for its sustained technical assistance and close advisory engagement in support of Sri Lanka's statistical law reform and broader modernization agenda. Sri Lanka looks forward to the continuation of this cooperation, recognizing that completing and implementing legal and regulatory reforms requires consistent support over time. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Sri Lanka. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of UNCTAD.

Thank you, Chair.

I'm providing a joint statement on behalf of the Committee for the Coordination of Statistical Activities, CCSA. The committee reaffirms its strong commitment to support member states' efforts in strengthening national statistical capacity. Countries' statistical priorities must be embedded in UN cooperation frameworks, common country analysis, and national financing frameworks, ensuring that statistical development is coherent, agile, demand-driven, and sustainable. The Committee reiterates Goal 3 of the Roadmap for Innovating UN System Statistics endorsed by UN chief executives to provide coordinated and innovative UN support to countries in statistics to overcome fragmentation, overlaps, gaps, and donor-driven priorities. Continues to coordinate work of the UN system and partners, recalling ECOSOC Resolution 3 of 2022, asking the Statistical Commission and its Secretariat to serve as the apex forum for discussions and exchange on capacity development, and engages through existing mechanisms especially UN regional commissions, for more coordinated capacity development aligned with countries' priorities, international standards, and future data needs, including global initiatives like the Beyond GDP agenda. The committee emphasizes the need for technological and data innovation to modernize national statistical systems, including modern legal frameworks. Increasing digitalization and integration of statistical, geospatial, and other data systems for high-quality, accessible, timely, reliable, disaggregated, open, and interoperable statistics and data. Urgently highlights a critical and persistent bottleneck, especially for developing economies, namely the severe and ongoing financing gaps to meet data demands of the 2030 Agenda and emerging demands such as climate, digital transformation, AI, and new data sources. To conclude, the CCSA and the Committee of Chief Statisticians of the UN System remain fully committed to partnering with Member States toward well-financed, resilient, and future-ready national statistical systems. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of UNCTAD. Now give the floor to the distinguished representative of CARICOM.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

CARICOM wishes to acknowledge the longstanding support provided by UNST in strengthening and modernization— modernizing statistical legislation and related institutional frameworks, with tangible results achieved at both the national and regional level. CARICOM is currently in the process of updating its model statistics bill and has benefited tremendously from the advisory services of the UNST. UNSD experts through meetings, workshops, and direct consultations. The region has also drawn extensively on key public goods provided by UNSD, including the Gloss, the Handbook on Management and Organization of the NSS, and the Guidelines on Implementing the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics. Some of our member states are presently reviewing and updating their statistics legislation legislation guided by these resources. Given the evolving role of NSOs as data stewards and the urgent need to integrate non-conventional data sources into official statistics to address significant data gaps in SIDS, our region will require continued and expanded support to further strengthen our legal and institutional frameworks, clarifying rules and responsibilities within the emerging data and geospatial ecosystem and ensure that ethical standards, quality assurance, and data governance principles are firmly embedded in these legal and institutional frameworks to ensure the responsible use of data sources and technologies. Against this backdrop, the CARICOM Secretariat acknowledged the crucial role of UN SDGs in supporting the strategic Coordination and Statistical Capacity Development, and reaffirms its strong support for the continuation of these initiatives, which remain central to our efforts at statistical modernization and transformation in our subregion. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of CARICOM. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the International Monetary

Thank you, Madam Chair.

We welcome the Secretary-General's report on statistical capacity development and the outcomes of the 2025 Friday Seminar. This closely mirrors how the IMF Macroeconomic Statistics Capacity Development Program has evolved. The IMF has enhanced its integrated approach to capacity development programs by upgrading its diagnostic tools, including by reviving and reimagining the data quality assessment framework and deploying more granular data adequacy assessment used in the IMF surveillance. This allows us to better prioritize capacity development in line with critical country needs. The approach involves identifying data gaps and the need for statistical and institutional reforms to strengthen data quality and governance, particularly in law and lower-middle-income countries, and fragile and conflict-affected states. The IMF actively works in close collaboration with international organizations within the UN systems, as well as through bilateral and multilateral collaboration with the World Bank, OECD, Paris 21, and others, with a focus on implementing statistical standards. In fragile and conflict-affected states, we continue to work closely with other partners to ensure that broader institutional infrastructures are developed, and sustained, and to explore how big data can be harnessed, especially where traditional sources of data are weak or non-existent. The IMF is injecting innovation into macroeconomic statistics capacity development through the use of big data, modernizing data dissemination infrastructure, and deploying digital tools such as the AI-enabled application, including the recently introduced Talk to the Manual and ChatGPT. In doing so, the IMF places strong emphasis on governance and transparency and consistency with international standards. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of the IMF. We've heard the last speaker in this debate. I'd now like to ask Mr. Gabriel Gámez, Chief of the Statistical Capacity Management Section of the United Nations Statistics Division, to summarize our discussion on this item.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Distinguished delegates, the Commission commended the report of the Secretary-General on statistical capacity development and the background document and welcomed the consideration of an integrated and system-wide approach, including within broader United Nations cooperation processes that is responsive to country demand and supports sustainable institutional strengthening. Underscored the importance of adequate capacity development support and predictable financing for data and statistics to enable national statistical systems to remain relevant and meet the data demands of the 2030 Agenda and emerging priorities in a fast-changing data and technological environment. Provided guidance on the structured approach based on closely interconnected service lines set out in Section 5 of the report to strengthen planning and delivery of capacity development while emphasizing the need to build on existing mechanisms and avoid additional reporting burdens. Acknowledged the role of the Statistics Division in contributing to strategic coordination of statistical capacity development activities, as appropriate, and requested the Division, in consultation with relevant bodies and partners within and outside the United Nations system, including the UN Resident Coordinator System, the Regional Commissions, and relevant coordination bodies and multi-stakeholders partnerships to continue to facilitate coordination, coherence, and complementarity of capacity development initiatives, and to report back to the Commission according to the multi-year programme of work. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank Mr. Gamis. The Commission has concluded its discussion of Item 3. I now invite the Commission to begin its consideration of Agenda Item 3 entitled Regional Statistical Development, under which the Commission has before it for discussion and decision the report of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia on regional cooperation for statistical development. Contained in document E/CN3/2026/17. A background document is also available on the Commission's website. I now give the floor to the representative of the Economic and Social Commission of Western Asia, Mr. Tariq Alami, to introduce the report.

Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair, distinguished delegates. I have the honor to present to you the report of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia on regional cooperation for statistical development. This report prepared by ESCWA provides an overview of ongoing efforts to strengthen national statistical systems and enhance regional coordination in Western Asia in line with the global statistical framework and the mandates of the statistical commission. The report highlights ESCWA's coordination in facilitating cooperation among national statistical offices the United Nations Statistical Division, SDG custodian agencies, and other United Nations system entities and regional partners. Through the ESCWA Statistical Committee and related technical mechanisms, ESCWA supported harmonization, capacity development, and collective action across the region. It presents progress across key statistical areas including the modernization of national statistical systems, population and housing censuses, civil registration and vital statistics, gender and disability statistics, economic, social, and environmental statistics. Price Statistics and the International Comparison Program, SDGs, and reporting on trade statistics, geospatial integration, and the use of innovative and non-traditional data sources. The report also identifies few challenges in the region, including the high cost of surveys and the limited funding, crisis and conflict hindering coverage, and the rapid pace of technology technological advances. ESCWA prioritizes these areas by integrating technological tools and providing support for adopting new international standards. The accompanying background references illustrate the breadth of technical work, capacity building activities, and regional initiatives that underpin this cooperation. The Commission is invited to take note of the progress achieved of ESCWA's continued role in promoting harmonization, strengthening capacities and innovation while ensuring that regional priorities and experiences are effectively reflected in global statistical processes. Thank you.

Doy las gracias. I thank Mr. Alami. The Commission will now begin its consideration of the report. Would any delegation like to take the floor? I see Equatorial Guinea. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Equatorial Guinea.

Gracias, Presidenta.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I take the floor on behalf of the African Group. The African The Russian Group welcomes the report of the Economic and Social Commission for— for— and we congratulate them on their work and their efforts in the area of coordination, innovation, capacity building, and support to member states to improve the quality of data and to harmonize methodologies in accordance with international standards. Standards. We see progress thanks to regional cooperation and thanks to the UN system. We welcome the initiatives taken to modernize regional statistics, to build capacities, to improve statistics on price, gender, disability, and other indices, as well as, uh, on the ODGs and the implementation of the SNA 2025. We encourage them to continue to— with their efforts on the census for 2030, integrating geospatial data and guaranteeing quality, which represents a considerable challenge for countries. Likewise, we encourage other regional commissions to support their member states despite the limited financial, human, and technological resources. We recommend stepping up the digitalization and interoperability of civil registry systems in order to more quickly ensure that we have comparable data and to speed up the publication of data with a gender perspective in national systems. We recommend expanding the collection of data on disabilities through harmonized tools to ensure— improve comparability and in public policy formulation.

Please conclude, says the chair.

We welcome the harmonization and modernization of the consumer price index in the region, and we encourage other regional commissions to continue and to follow this example because it allows us to have reliable data on the cost of living and evaluate policies aimed at improving quality of life and regional integration. Finally, we recommend expanding the regional cooperation program to member states and integrating these in national systems so as to guarantee their continuation and funding. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished delegation of Equatorial Guinea. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Indonesia.

Thank you, Chair. Indonesia appreciates the progress made through strengthened regional collaboration, particularly within ASEAN, in advancing the monitoring and implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. We recognize the ASEAN Help ASEAN framework as the important mechanism for strengthening the ASEAN community statistical system. BPS Statistics Indonesia reaffirms its commitment to regional statistical development. Since 2023, BPS Statistics Indonesia has served as the lead country for the ASEAN study on small area estimation supporting capacity building and harmonized approaches across the region. At the global level, BPS Statistics Indonesia has also collaborated with UN partners to develop guidelines and apply small area estimation for key SDG-related indicators. Indonesia remains committed to strengthening regional cooperation and partnership with the United Nations for further enhance national and regional statistical systems. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Indonesia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of CEMAC.

The CEMAC Commission welcomes the work done by the Bureau, and we congratulate the chair on her election. SEMAC is currently rolling out the Sub-Regional Statistical Program, which aims to forge an integrated, harmonized statistical system allowing for better comparability of economic and social indicators between the 6 member states. This approach meets the common challenges of the sub-region: the institutional fragility, limited resources, unequal access to digital technology, and increasing needs in terms of data for governance and sustainable development. The Harmonization and Improvement of Statistics project in West Africa— Western Central Africa funded by the World Bank is currently the main technical and financial tool within this transformation. It aims to improve statistical performance, the harmonization of collection tools, and to build the capacities of national statistical institutions. Institutes. Several steps forward have been made in this regard. Firstly, the harmonisation of surveys on living conditions as well as the production of harmonised indices for consumer prices. We have launched work on migrating towards the STN 2025 for national accounts. We're harmonising business statistics statistics, working on improving civil registration systems, setting up a community energy information system, and undertaking advocacy to ensure better governance and reliable funding for statistical systems. Semac underscores the importance of cooperating with technical and financial partners, and we reaffirm our commitment to continue with regional harmonization to promote the use of data in public policy and to mobilize the necessary resources to build a modern, resilient regional statistical system that is tailored to current challenges, relying on regional and sub-regional communities. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of CEMAC. I see no further requests for the floor. I would invite Ms. Linda Cooper statistician at the Office of the Director of the UN Statistical Division to summarize our discussion on the report.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

The Commission welcomed the report of the Economic and Social Commission of Western Asia on regional cooperation and took note of the main achievements of statistical development in the region.

The Commission commended this Dential progress achieved and appreciated the strong partnerships through strengthened regional collaboration among countries, regional statistical organizations, and within the United Nations systems. Thank you, Chair.

I thank Ms. Hooper. The Commission has thus concluded its discussion of Item 3.0. The Commission has now also included its discussion of all items for discussion and decision. I would like to thank all delegations who took the floor for their interventions and comments. The Commission will take action on these items tomorrow, Friday, 6th of March. I now invite the Commission to begin its consideration of agenda item 4, entitled items for decision. As you may recall, the Bureau introduced this category for items where no further debate is expected. The items will be introduced and the envisaged decisions will be summarized. Thereafter, delegates will have the opportunity to make brief statements should they so wish. I kindly request delegates to keep their interventions very brief in order to remain within our allocated time. The Commission will take action on these items also on Friday. The delegations that have informed Ms. Hooper that they wish to take the floor under this item are as follows: 4A, Cuba; 4B, Norway and Poland; 4C, Samoa on behalf of countries of the Pacific; 4D, Finland, Norway, OCH, and UNDP. 4E, Chile on behalf of CARICOM, Germany, Bulgaria, and Bahamas. 4F, Slovenia, United Kingdom, and Bahamas. I invite the Commission to begin its consideration of item 4A, entitled Aging-Related Statistics and Age-Disaggregated Data, under which the Commission has before it for decision the report of the Titchfield Group on Aging-Related Statistics and Age-Disaggregated Data, contained in document E/CN3/2026/18. I give the floor to Mr. James Renford, Director General of Surveys and Economic Statistics in the United Kingdom Statistics Authority, to introduce the report.

Thank you, Chair.

Distinguished delegates, dear colleagues, I am pleased to introduce the report of the Titchfield Group on ageing-related statistics and age-disaggregated data.

The Titchfield Group has successfully completed its mandate and delivered two significant international outputs that advance the global evidence base on ageing and age-disaggregated data. The achievements of the Group have only been possible thanks to remarkable support and commitment from the international community, which adopted an agile approach to rescope and ensure the relevance of the work in a changing landscape.

The Group acknowledges the strong collaboration across national offices, International Statistical Offices, United Nations bodies, civil society organizations, and academic partners.

This work is just one part in a larger undertaking, and this important endeavor must continue across the international community. As demographic transitions progress and societies change, it's important for all countries to be prepared and to continue developing the data collection systems that ensure a sustainable evidence base fit for the future. Looking ahead, the Titchfield Group recommends that ageing and changing demographics be placed at the heart of the international community. This includes the full implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as other current and future initiatives that build on the 2030 Agenda. For example, Beyond GDP process, where ageing and age disaggregation are important in the developing— development of beyond GDP metrics to foster inclusive, sustainable, and forward-thinking policymaking. Unless ageing is explicitly recognised in each endeavour, there will be no progress. The report invites the Commission to take note of the group's activities and publications, to acknowledge the conclusion of the group's activities, and dissolve the group.

Thank you, Chair.

I thank Mr. James Benford, Director General of Surveys and Economic Statistics at the UK Statistics Authority, for that presentation. I thank Mr. Benford. I now give the floor to Mr. Jong Jin Min, in the UN Statistics Division to summarize the decision that will be proposed to be taken on Friday and the final report on this item.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Based on the introduction of the report and its contents outlining the work undertaken in the transparent and open process, it's my honor to propose a course of action for this Action item. It's the Secretary's understanding that the Commission wishes to include the following decision in the report for this agenda item. The Commission expressed appreciation to the Teachfield Group on Aging-Related Statistics and Age-Disaggregated Data for its contributions and methodological guidance to national statistical offices. On strengthening age disaggregated data across key policy priority areas and addressing data gaps for older persons in support of the 2030 Agenda, acknowledged the conclusion of the group's mandate, agreed to dissolve it, and encouraged the continuation of the efforts to place aging and changing demographics at the heart of the SDG implementation and the future development frameworks.

Thank you. I thank Ms. Min. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cuba.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The National Cuban Statistics Office recognizes the work of the Titchfield Group on aging-related statistics and age disaggregated data. We take note of the group's work and we are pleased at the progress noted in the report and the conclusion of its activity. As is noted in paragraph 14 of section 3 of the document that we are discussing, the Titchfield Group recommends looking ahead that demographic changes represent a central part of sustainable development policy policies and other current and future initiatives. Cuba concurs with this information and as a part of our national statistics system, we have a robust component to follow up on policies that are rolled out in the country on the aging population and in particular, in general, all of the population under a life cycle-based approach. In this context, we take note of the work and the publications of the Titchfield Group, we recognize the conclusion of its activities, its dissolution, and at the same time we suggest that the commission— that in light of the accelerated aging of the— around the world, particularly in Latin America and in our country, we maintain the issue of aging on— for follow-up in the relevant working groups related to the Sustainable Development Goals. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Cuba. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of South Africa.

Thank you indeed, Chairperson. The African Group welcomes the Thich Field Group's report on age-related statistics and age-disaggregated data, which is commendable for supporting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by identifying data gaps and providing guide—— guidance on producing relevant data. The African Group acknowledges the Thich Field Group's contribution to promoting consistent measurement of the SDGs through technical meetings and reports, which are vital for strengthening statistical systems in Africa, given demographic changes and aging population. The African Group endorses the recommendation that Aging and demographic change should be central in the implementation of the SDGs and future development initiatives. Recognizing the Thieffels Group's achievement amid global disruptions, the African Group supports its discontinuation while committing to advancing age disaggregated and age-related data in collaboration with Member States and partners in aligning with the Agenda 2063 of the African Agenda. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of South Africa. I see no further requests for The floor. The Commission has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of Item 4A. I now invite the Commission to begin its consideration of Agenda Item 4B entitled Refugee Internally Displaced Persons and Statelessness Statistics, under which the Commission has before it for decision the report of the expert group on refugee internally displaced persons and statelessness statistics contained in document E/CN.3/2026/19. Background documents are also available on the Commission's website. I give the floor to Mr. Camilo Mendez. From the Statistics Department of Colombia, which is the report.

Presidenta, distinguished colleagues, I am honored to present to you today on behalf of the Expert Group on Refugees, Internally Displaced Persons, and Statelessness Statistics, EGRIS, its report to the 57th session of the UN Statistical Commission. This report outlines the collective achievements under the 2020-2025 terms of reference and illuminates a path forward for its membership that now comprises 62 countries and 40 distinct international and regional organizations. Since its establishment, the expert group has developed collaboratively with affected countries and international organizations the International Recommendations on Refugees, Internationally Displaced Persons, and Statelessness Statistics, endorsed by the Commission in 2018, 2020, and 2023, respectively. Thanks to work of its members, ACWRIS has recorded notable progress in supporting countries and organizations to apply these standards in practice. Progress has been achieved through work across 4 interrelated priorities: promoting the accessibility and uptake of the recommendations, developing complementary resources including a compiler's manual and e-learning course, strengthening regional and national capacity, and establishing a systematic monitoring tool, the Global Annual Inclusion Survey. Since 2021, over 330 examples of statistical activities implementing the recommendations have been tracked, with the majority of this, 207, led by countries as part of their national statistical activities. Colombia hosts a large internally displaced population alongside migrants and refugees. As a long-standing member of ECRIS, from DANE, we have actively supported its work, as our experience demonstrates that robust statistics are indispensable for inclusive policymaking. We are also keenly aware of the challenges countries face in effectively producing statistics on mobile populations, populations whose existence is connected to dynamic realities such as insecurity, instability, and climate change. Believing in the added value of international standards and harmonized statistics, we are also strong advocates of learning and exchange between national contexts. This conviction led us to spearhead, alongside Honduras and other partners, regional efforts in Latin America framed within the Statistical Conference of the Americas. We commend the group's accomplishment thus far and draw attention to the various achievements laid out in the report. We encourage member states to endorse the revised terms of reference that will guide the group's work in the coming period. Your guidance will be crucial to sustaining momentum towards inclusive, high-quality official statistics that leave no one behind.

I thank Mr. Mendez. And I give the floor to Ms. Francesca Groome, Head of the Demographic and Social Statistics 6th branch of UNSD. She will summarize the proposed decision for adoption tomorrow, as well as the final report on this item.

Important, its contents outlining the work undertaken in a transparent and open process. It is the Secretariat's understanding that the Commission wishes to include the following decision in the report for this agenda item. The Commission welcomed the report of the Expert Group on Refugees, Internally Displaced Persons and Statelessness Statistics , commended its collective achievements and endorsed the revised terms of reference of the group. The Commission noted the progress made so far in the implementation of the recommendations and supported the expert group's work priorities, encouraging continued exploration of the use of innovative data sources and emerging technologies, underscoring the importance of coordination mechanisms, and called for sustained technical assistance. Thank you, Chair. Hola. Hola.

Gracias. I thank Ms. Grimm. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Norway.

Thank you, Chair. Norway welcomes the report of the expert group on refugee IDP and statelessness statistics and reiterates our support for the group's work. We are encouraged to see progress in the implementation of the recommendations developed by the group, particularly when it comes to including refugees and internally displaced persons in censuses and surveys. Continued monitoring on— of how the recommendations are being applied will be important alongside ongoing support for implementation at country level. Norway also notes that the proposed revisions to the terms of reference largely continue the current mandate with a stronger focus on implementation and outreach. We support the proposed extension of the mandate until 2030 and look forward to continued cooperation in the years ahead.

Thank you. I thank the distinguished representative of Norway. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Poland.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Poland highly values the work performed by ECOWAS during its concluding mandate and strongly supports its continuation under the revised Terms of Reference. Thanks to our collaboration with WHO, UNHCR, and IGRIS, we swiftly developed a system for monitoring refugee health and well-being. These findings, particularly the recommendation to supplement vaccinations among Ukrainian refugee children, were rapidly implemented into national health policy. We are constantly perfecting our multi-method approach with multi-source data, especially big data. Using daily streaming data from mobile network operators, we are able to produce whole spectrum of data concerning refugee health and wellbeing in real time and present it in an open dashboard. Ladies and gentlemen, Poland, together with WHO, UNHCR, and IGRIS stands ready to share our experience, especially in developing integrated system for refugees.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I thank the distinguished representative of Poland. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Nigeria.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm presenting on behalf of African Group. African Group thanks the Expert Group on Refugee, Internally Displaced Persons and Statelessness Statistics for its work over the past decade and commends the substantial progress achieved in implementing its 2020-2025 mandate. We particularly acknowledge the completion of the trilogy of international statistical recommendations, conditions with the endorsement of the International Recommendations on Statelessness Services, alongside sustained efforts in capacity development and regional engagement to promote coherence, accessibility, and practical implementation of these frameworks. We recognize that forced displacement and statelessness remain a critical challenge across the African continent with its attendant implications. In this context, Reliable and inclusive statistics on these three categories of population are essential to support evidence-based policymaking, evidence-based policymaking, and monitor progress. We appreciate the expert group emphasis on mainstreaming the international recommendations into broader statistical framework, including population analysis, censuses, household surveys, administrative data system, and SDG monitoring processes. We also welcome EGGRI's strong regional engagement in Africa and capacity development initiative. While recognizing this achievement, we would like to highlight that sustained capacity building and institutionalization is needed, strengthening regional coordination mechanism and data comparability, continue exploration of the use of innovative and emerging technologies and different data sources. Finally, Africa Group strongly supports the continuation of the EGRIS and endorses the proposed updated TOR and program of work. We look forward to continued collaboration with EGRIS and partners to support African countries.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Nigeria. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Philippines.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Philippines welcomes the report of the Expert Group on Refugee, Internally Displaced Persons and Statelessness Statistics, or EGRIS, and commends the group for the significant achievements realized from 2020 to 2025. We recognize the comprehensive scope of its works across critical areas and take pride in our longstanding partnership in advancing these efforts. These initiatives are closely aligned with the Philippines' advocacies. The Philippines has consistently upheld its humanitarian tradition of assisting refugees and stateless persons in line with our commitments under 1954 and 1961 Statelessness Conventions. We view the strengthening of statistics on displaced and stateless populations as an essential component of ensuring protection, inclusion, and durable solutions. The Philippines reaffirms its commitment to sustaining our active roles in IGRES, particularly through the sharing of our technical expertise and statelessness statistics. We look forward to continued collaboration through national implementation focused on the integration of the displaced and stateless populations into our civil registration and vital statistics and statistical systems to ensure high-quality, inclusive, and policy-relevant statistics, as well as the adoption of the international recommendations. To this end, the Philippine Statistics Authority commits to further leveraging its collaboration with the Department of Justice, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and other government partners to ensure that every person invisible in official statistics and through birth registration and national ID integration, fully aligned with the mission of IGRIS to improve statistics on displaced and stateless population. We see this work as critical in safeguarding the dignity and ensuring access to rights for thousands of individuals who have lived for decades in conditions of legal uncertainty. Finally, we affirm our support for the future direction of the group to extend its work by 2030 and formally endorse the proposed future work priorities as well as the revised terms of reference, which focuses on capacity strengthening and technical support, monitoring of implementation at national and regional levels, and capturing lessons, maintaining collaborative platforms, advocacies, and dissemination, as well as developing practical guidance and tools. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Philippines. I see no further requests for the floor. I would like to ask the Secretariat to make the necessary changes to the proposed decision. The Commission will examine the revised text on Friday. The Commission has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of item 4B. I invite the Commission to begin its consideration of agenda item 4C, entitled Disaster-Related Statistics, under which the Commission has before it for decision The report of the Interagency and Expert Group on Disaster-Related Statistics contained in document E/CN3/2026/20. Background documents are also available on the Commission's website. I give the floor to Ms. Kansa Ahmed from the United Kingdom Health Security Agency and co-chair of the Interagency of the Interagency Expert Group to introduce the report.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, distinguished delegates, dear colleagues, it is my honor to introduce the report of the Interagency Expert Group on Disaster-Related Statistics, co-chaired by the UK Health Security Agency, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia-Pacific. The Global Disaster-Related Statistics Framework presented here is the result of a multi-year collaborative effort involving subject experts from national statistical offices, national disaster management offices, and international and regional organizations, as well as other key technical stakeholders. As the first-ever global framework on disaster-related statistics, the framework provides an internationally reviewed a statistically sound and coherent foundation for measuring hazardous events and disasters, including their impacts, risks, and the disaster risk reduction activities and expenditures across social, economic, and environmental domains. The framework underwent a global consultation last year with feedback from stakeholders including national statistical offices, national disaster management offices, and a diverse group of academia, research, and experts. All respondents expressed strong support for the framework and recommended its endorsement. Since the submission of the report, the Interagency and Expert Group has summarized the feedback, revised the framework, and continued its outreach activities and consultation with member states and partner organizations. Distinguished delegates, we invite the CECIL Commission to endorse the Global Disaster-Aided Systems Framework as the global statistical framework underpinning the production and use of disaster-related statistics. Such endorsement would provide countries with a methodologically sound, internationally recognized set of guidelines for strengthening disaster data production, improving the statistical capacity for disaster risk reduction, whilst also providing the evidence base for monitoring the Sendai Framework and the formulation and implementation of resilience plans and strategies.

Thank you for your support. I thank Ms. Ahmed. I now give the floor to Ms. Francesca Groome, Chief of the Demographic and Social Statistics Branch of the UN Statistics Division, 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 contents outlining the work undertaken in a transparent and open process, it is the Secretariat's understanding that the Commission wishes to include the following decision in the report for this agenda item. The Commission welcomed the report and background documents of the Interagency and Expert Group on Disaster disaster-related statistics. The Commission endorsed the Global Disaster-Related Statistics Framework as the global statistical framework underpinning the production of these statistics. The Commission encouraged countries to implement the framework and stressed the importance of collaboration and coordination among the relevant national institutions. The Commission called upon the Interagency Expert Group to operationalize the framework through the development of guidance, methodological tools, capacity building activities, and other materials, and invited the group to report back to the Commission on progress achieved in the framework's implementation. Thank you, Chair.

I thank Ms. Grimm. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Samoa.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Samoa, on behalf of the Pacific Island countries, would like to endorse the Global Disaster-Related Statistics Framework as the global statistical framework underpinning the production of disaster-related statistics. The Pacific particularly vulnerable to the impact of disasters, from tropical cyclones and storm surges to droughts, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and sea level rise. Pacific Island countries experience some of the highest per capita disaster losses in the world. Reliable, relevant, and timely statistics can inform policy for climate action, sustainable development, and disaster risk reduction. We would like to recognize the importance of the TEDRSF in supporting the monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and national and subnational disaster risk reduction strategies and development planning processes. We also note that the GEDRSF is aligned with existing statistical frameworks and builds on the regional framework for disaster-related statistics endorsed by the ESCAP Committee on Statistics in 2009. 2018. With suitable support mechanisms, Pacific countries would like to express interest in implementing the TRSF and sharing national practices to strengthen the production and use of standardized, consistent, and comparable disaster-related statistics. We support the proposed future work of the— the Agency and Expert Group on Disaster-Related Statistics to strengthen disaster-related statistics and implement the framework. Including developing implementation guidance to operationalize the GDRSF that includes the circumstances of Pacific countries, organizing and convening annual global expert forums for producers and users of disaster-related statistics, including online and forums that are accessible to Pacific countries, and supporting coordination efforts to advance disaster-related statistics at the national, regional and global levels. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Samoa. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Philippines.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Philippines recognizes that the Global Disaster-Related Statistics Framework, or the GDRSF, provides a robust foundation for the compilation of disaster-related statistics. We value its alignment with other frameworks, which ensures comparability and consistency. Consequently, we strongly support the proposed activities to enhance national capacities in producing and utilizing these statistics to effectively implement the GDRSF. In the Philippines, we have initiated the compilation of Disaster Risk Reduction Expenditure Accounts or the DRREA, in the public sector. As part of its national work program, the Philippine Statistics Authority is planning to release a technical report on DRREA, which will include both public and private expenditures. Various initiatives under the Technical Working Group on Climate Change and Disaster-Related Statistics underscore our commitment to institutionalizing the generation of disaster-related data. Moreover, with the implementation of the PENCAST Act, a dedicated unit in the PSA will be established to oversee the development, compilation, and management of climate change and disaster-related statistics and indicators. In this light, we recommend the Commission to develop indicator metadata, data collection instruments, and reporting formats aligned with the GDRSF and relevant global frameworks such as the Sendai Framework, SDGs, the FDES, and the global set of climate change statistics and indicators. We further underscore the importance of sustained capacity development to strengthen countries' ability to compile and produce disaster-related statistics in line with these frameworks. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Philippines. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Kazakhstan.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Kazakhstan fully supports the initiative to develop the Global Disaster-Related Statistics Framework and underscores the importance of internationally agreed methodologies to ensure harmonized and internationally comparable disaster-related statistics. Kazakhstan has actively contributed to the work of the Conference of European Statisticians Task Force on Measuring Hazardous Events and Disasters and welcomes the fact that regionally initiated efforts by UNECE, ESCAP, ECCLAC, and others are now converging into a common global framework. We underscore that such regional initiatives remain highly valuable as a measurement of disasters and disaster risk must always reflect regional and national context. Kazakhstan, like many other countries, is increasingly exposed to natural hazards and disasters and therefore attaches great importance to the development and implementation of disaster-related statistics. Kazakhstan has adopted the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and regularly reports on its implementation. At the national level, Kazakhstan regularly produces and publishes indicators on the number of disasters, the number of affected persons, economic losses, burned areas, and other related statistics within the framework of SDG reporting and the Sendai Framework monitoring. One of the key challenges remains the accurate assessment of disaster-related losses. To address this, Kazakhstan is working with the FAO of the United Nations together with national partners to adopt a platform for assessing losses in the agricultural sector. We also host the Regional Center for Emerging Situations and Disaster Risk Reduction in Almaty, which serves as a hub for Central Asia and coordinates the exchange of of disaster-related statistics among countries of the region. It also conducts training sessions on disaster— —measurement for specialists from ministries of emergency situation and national statistical office. In this regard, Kazakhstan reaffirms its readiness to further cooperate with international and regional partners to enhance data comparability and implement best practices Kazakhstan and looks forward to implementing the Global Disaster-Related Statistics Framework together with the Conference of European Statisticians guidelines as complementary tools for producing policy-relevant disaster-related statistics. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Kazakhstan. I now give the floor to the distinguished Representative of Georgia.

Georgia welcomes the report of the Interagency and Expert Group on Disaster-Related Statistics and fully supports the endorsement of the Global Disaster-Related Statistics Framework as the global standard for producing disaster-related statistics. This framework is a critical instrument linking disaster risk reduction directly to the SDGs and national development planning. Georgia is committed to its implementation at the national level. As a member of the Bureau of European Statisticians, Georgia has actively supported the UNECE Conference of European Statisticians Task Force on measuring hazardous events. And disasters. We are pleased that this regional work has been reflected in the Global Disaster-Related Statistics Framework, a clear demonstration that bottom-up, regionally grounded expertise strengthens global frameworks. Georgia also supports the interagency and expert groups' proposed future work including implementation guidance, global expert forums, and strengthened coordination and resource mobilization. We remain fully committed to international and regional cooperation in advancing disaster-related statistics because evidence-based disaster risk reduction saves lives. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Georgia. I see no further requests for the floor. I request the Secretariat to make the necessary adjustments to the proposed draft decision. The Commission will review the revised text on Friday. The Commission has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of Item 4C. I invite the Commission to begin its consideration of Agenda Item 4D, entitled Governance Statistics, under which the Commission has before it for decision the report of the PRIA Group on Governance Statistics contained in document E/CN3/2026/21. Background documents are also available on the Commission's website. I give the floor to Mr. João da Pinha Mendes Cardoso, President of the National Institute of Statistics of Cabo Verde and the Chairman of the Prior Group, to introduce the report.

Merci, Madame Chair, distinguished delegates.

Thank you, Chair, distinguished delegates. It's my pleasure to introduce the report of the Prior Group on Governance Statistics prepared for the 57th session of the Commission under Agenda Item 4D. The report highlights significant methodological advances in the domain of governance statistics. The report presents made major progress in developing internationally harmonized methodologies in two governance dimensions: participation in political and public affairs and non-discrimination and equality. To support these two dimensions, the Group has produced four methodological instruments, two survey tools and two administrative data guidance tools. These were developed through extensive mapping of national practices, expert technical review, and 3 years of cognitive and pilot testing across 26 countries, culminating in a validation workshop hosted by Statistics Norway in May 2025. The revised instruments also reflect feedback received through a global consultation exercise conducted in October and November 2025. The accompanying background document includes the proposed terms of reference for the group's next 5-year mandate, outlining its future focus and priorities. The background document also summarizes the analysis and findings from from the global consultation exercise, which helped further refine the instruments. The PRIA Group is therefore seeking the Commission's endorsement of the four instruments, which are provided as background documents to the report. The Commission is invited to endorse the Survey on Participation in Political and Public Affairs, endorse the guidance on utilizing electoral administrative data to produce statistics of the court's decision, and to endorse the survey on discrimination, to endorse the guidance for national statistical offices on using administrative data to measure non-discrimination and equality, and lastly, to support the continuation of the Praia Group, under the proposed terms of reference, with a focus on developing standardized methodologies in selected governance subdomains and strengthening national statistical capacities in producing governance statistics.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I thank Mr. Cardoso. I now give the floor again to Ms. Francesca Groome 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 contents outlining the work undertaken in a transparent and open process, it is the Secretariat's understanding that the Commission wishes to include the following decision in the report for this agenda item. The Commission welcomed the report of the Praia Group noting the methodological developments in governance statistics and the group's continued efforts in capacity building and awareness raising in this domain. The Commission endorsed the Survey on Participation in Political and Public Affairs, the Guidance on Utilizing Electoral Administrative Data to Produce Statistics on political participation, the survey on discrimination, and the guidance for national statistical offices on using administrative data to measure non-discrimination and equality. The Commission also supported the continuation of the Praia Group's activities under its proposed revised terms of reference, with a focus on further developing standardized methodologies in selected governance subdomains and strengthening the capacities of member states in producing and compiling governance statistics. Thank you, Chair.

I thank Ms. Groome. Before giving the floor to delegations, I would kindly ask you to respect the time time limit of 1 minute and a half. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Finland.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Firstly, I would like to thank all countries and organizations for the excellent cooperation and all work carried out so far on governance statistics under the prior group. The work accomplished is highly significant for advancing statistics on equality and non-discrimination. Coordination, particularly from the perspective of fundamental and human rights. In all, there is clearly strong and growing interest in governance statistics, all 8 dimensions of it, and a genuine need for reliable information at both global and national levels. During the current term of the Group, we have been able to tackle 2 dimensions, so there still are 6 dimensions lacking in international recommendations. One dimension that has been raised in different discussions during this week and in the seminar last Friday is trust. Strengthening the measurement of trust could provide valuable policy-relevant insights and therefore be considered as a possible work stream for the Group in the upcoming term. Dimensions of trust under governance statistics are divided to trust in institutions and trust in other people. Even though the primary focus is on the former, the trust in other people is basic element of all trust. It is not easy task to measure the trust at any level, but this is not the reason of not measuring, and we need to work on this subject jointly. To conclude, it is essential that we continue the work on governance statistics, so Finland fully supports the work of of the Prior Group and the 4 instruments already developed and the renewal of the group's mandate. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Finland. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mexico.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Mexico, as a part of the prior Group on Governance Statistics since 2015, would like to thank all national statistics offices, UN agencies, and other global and regional agencies that contributed to the work described in the report. We were part of a participatory, active process to generate, uh, generate experience, discrimination, equality surveys, and on other public policies. In terms of the pilot programmes and the community programmes, as well as the project on specialised tools, we welcome the report of the prior group so as to develop methodologies in other areas of governance, strengthen, and to promote the strengthening of the capacities of national statistics offices to to produce statistics in these areas. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Mexico, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Norway.

Thank you, Chair. Norway welcomes the report of the PRIACCT group on governance statistics and highly values the group's efforts to strengthen the measurement of governance in official statistics in support of the 2030 Agenda. Statistics Norway, together with UN Women, has co-led the task team on participation in political and public affairs. We welcome the development of a harmonized post-election survey model on political participation and the guide on the use of electoral administrative data to produce election statistics. We also welcome the work on measuring discrimination and equality. The work of the prior group in these domains can help clarify and strengthen the role of national statistical offices in these areas. Lastly, we support the continuation of the Prior City Group and its important work and encourage the continued focus on implementation, capacity building, and the practical use of the tools developed. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Norway. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative Representative of Ghana.

Thank you very much. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the African Group. The African Group appreciates the continued work of the prior group on governance statistics. We commend the progress achieved through its tax teams in advancing methodologies, strengthening capacity, and raising awareness on the importance of governance statistics. We welcome the international statistical guidelines developed to enable standardized measurement of two key dimensions of governance, that's non-discrimination and equity, and participation in political and public affairs, as set out in a handbook on governance statistics. We recognize a rigorous and inclusive process undertaken to develop this guidance, including testing of multiple data sources, such as household surveys and administrative data. Africa strongly supports applying this guidance within national context. We'll build on existing national surveys and statistical systems to generate high-quality comparable governance statistics while ensuring efficient use of limited resources. We also welcome the guidance on the use of administrative data. African countries will explore integrating electoral administration qualitative data to produce official statistics on inclusive political participation. At the same time, we'll strengthen collaboration with relevant institutions, including civil society organizations, legal aid providers, and other partners to improve evidence based on discrimination and to support vulnerable groups. Chair, the African Group remains committed to monitoring and disseminating the agreed set of core and complementary governance indicators at the national, continental, and global levels, including the production of disaggregated statistics. We'll continue to strengthen partnership with data holders and ensure governance that this is produced and disseminated with strong ethical safeguards and respect for human rights. Finally, the group supports the continuation of the prior group for the period 2026 to 2031, including the proposed revised terms of reference. We encourage the next phase to deepen methodological development across governance subdomains and further strengthen country capacity, particularly in Africa. We also encourage continued collaboration with Technical Group on Governance, Peace and Security. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Ghana. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United Kingdom. United Arab Emirates.

Chair, the UAE thanks UNSD as well as the Prior Group on Governance Statistics for the report submitted and for efforts on practical statistical and comparable tools. We also support the decision before the committee— the Commission, including when it comes to participation in public affairs, and guidance on the use of administrative data to produce statistics that are comparable on social participation and inclusion. Finally, we also support the adoption of these tools and the continuation of the PROYA group, while efforts in the upcoming period must be focused on applicable methodology as well as the trusted use of administrative data and official statistics. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the United Arab Emirates, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Morocco.

Thank you, Madam Chair. We commend the progress by the prior group on governance statistics. Especially when it comes to statistical tools to measure participation in political and public affairs, as well as non-discrimination and equality. This is very important for trusted data that are also comparable internationally, especially while we monitor the implementation of the SDGs. My country attaches great importance to governance statistics because they are a main pillar in public policy policies, as well as monitoring and evaluating these policies. In the last few years, we have endeavored to modernize our methodologies as well as the quality of data and to integrate different domains in our field surveys. That is why we are proud to express interest to join PRIA Group because we commend the valuable efforts of the prayer group to put together standardized tools to measure governance. Joining this group, we look forward to contributing effectively in current activities and future activities, as well as contributing our national expertise in statistical research and critical issues. We look forward to building national capacities in governance statistics, and, um, taking into account the special specificities of Arab and African countries. We look forward to further cooperation internationally for quality data, better governance, and sustainable development. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Morocco. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of South Africa.

Thank you, Chairperson. South Africa warmly welcomes the continued progress of the prior group on governance statistics and appreciates the efforts of the task teams, country experts, partner organizations whose work has brought this work to an important milestone. The methodological guidelines in the handbook of governance statistics particularly on the non-discrimination of equality, on participation in political and public affairs, represents a significant contribution to advance governance statistics grounded in human rights principles. The recognition of the diverse national context of— and data environment is commendable and supports practical implementation across the African statistical system. For South Africa, measuring non-discrimination and equality is closely linked to the constitutional commitments in pursuant to a just and inclusive society. This guidance is endorsed, and its application will draw on existing surveys and infrastructure to ensure efficiency, comparability, policy relevance, and policy relevance. In echoing the position taken by Ghana on behalf of the African Group, would like to emphasize on administrative data that we strongly leverage on this data, particularly from the Electoral Commission as regards to South Africa. Africa, and indeed South Africa supports the prior group mandate for 2026 to 2031 and remains committed to constructively engage in advancing this important work.

I thank the distinguished representative of South Africa. I now give the floor to the distinguished Representative of the OHCHR. Thank you, Madam Chair.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights wishes to mention the written statement provided by the Committee for the Coordination of Statistical Activities, which consists of 45 international and supranational organizations promoting interagency coordination and cooperation on statistics, and which welcomes the report of the prior group on governance statistics. And underlines, inter alia, the relevance of the work of the prior group for the Beyond GDP effort. OHCHR commends the new survey instrument on participation and on non-discrimination and equality, together with the corresponding guidance on the use of administrative data. Let us be clear. Discrimination exists in every country. OHCHR congratulates the members of the prior city group and the national statistical offices, which have taken a leading role in supporting better measurement of the right to non-discrimination, enshrined in the first article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the core international human rights treaties. OHCHR commends the prior group's consistent anchoring of governance statistics and methodologies in international human rights standards. We urge member states to make use of these new tools. OHCHR stands ready to support capacity development and to help build partnership between national statistical offices and national human rights institutions, so that governance statistics can better inform policies that leave no one behind. OHCHR remains committed to continue its engagement with the prior groups as it moves into its third term and to support new directions of work to be decided by its membership, memberships, including from the perspective of supporting better measurement of the cross-cutting dimensions of governance, namely human rights. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representatives of the OHCHR, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the UNDP. Thank you, Chair.

UNDP aligns itself with the statements delivered by others and wishes to underscore the importance of advancing robust and policy-relevant governance statistics. Effective, accountable, and inclusive governance is central to sustainable development. The instruments developed on political participation and non-discrimination represent represent a significant methodological advancement. They are grounded in international standards and have been extensively tested and reviewed by NSOs in diverse contexts. Importantly, their implementation promotes closer collaboration between NSOs and other national institutions such as electoral management bodies to ensure that administrative and survey data are fully utilized. We emphasize the importance of integrating these measures within national statistical systems and development planning frameworks, and UNDP remains committed to supporting member states in this regard. UNDP welcomes the substantial progress made by the prior group on governance statistics. At the same time, the work is not complete. Sustained effort is required to consolidate implementation, support capacity development, and further advance methodological guidance in additional subdomains of governance statistics. UNDP is committed to continuing its engagement and support to the PRIAS city group in a third term. Thank you, Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of UNDP I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of UN Women. Thank you, Chair.

UN Women supports the endorsement of the four methodological instruments developed by the Praia Group on Governance Statistics. UN Women encourages national statistical offices to actively apply these instruments and to strengthen collaboration with electoral management bodies, national human rights institutions, and other public authorities to improve the availability of sex and age disaggregated data on electoral participation and public life. UN Women will continue to contribute to advocating for and supporting the uptake and practical use of these methodologies, including by assisting countries to strengthen institutional partnerships across national statistical systems, electoral bodies, and human rights institutions and to integrate both survey and admin data sources for governance statistics. Lastly, UN Women supports the continuation of the PRIA Group's work and encourages further efforts to strengthen the integration of gender equality across governance statistics and their practical implementation in countries. Doy las gracias.

I thank the distinguished representative of UN Women. I see no further requests for the floor. I ask the Secretariat to make any necessary adjustments to the proposed draft decision. The Commission will review the revised text on Friday. The Commission has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of Item 4D. I invite the I invite the Commission to begin its consideration of agenda item 4 entitled International Statistical Classifications, under which the Commission has before it for decision the report of the Committee of Experts on International Statistical Classifications contained in document ECN 3/2026/22. Background documents are also available on the Commission's website. I now give the floor to Ms Rachel Milicich, Deputy Government Statistician of Statistics New Zealand, and Chair of the Committee of Experts, to introduce the report.

Distinguished Chair, I am honoured to introduce the report of the Committee of Experts on International Statistical Classifications, which outlines the main developments since the last session and presents the key items requiring the Commission's consideration. Over the past year, significant progress has been made on the development and revision of classifications across various statistical domains. This resulted in the committee approving 5 new or revised classifications for submission to the Commission. These include the Standard International Energy Product Classification version 2.0, the Classification of Statistical Activities version 2.1, the Extended Balance of Payments Services Classification 2026, the International Statistical Classification on Alternative Care of Children, and the International Classification of Dying Places. The Commission is invited to endorse these as international statistical classifications. The Commission is also invited to support the revision of the International Recommendations for Energy Statistics in connection with the development of the revised energy product classification. The committee has established a standing task team to facilitate the maintenance and implementation of the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities, Revision 5, ISIC, and the Central Product Classification, CPC, Version 3, following their adoption by the commission. Under the guidance of the committee, Statistics Division is collaborating with regional, regional partners to support the regional implementation of international statistical classifications. The work is ongoing on the revision of the Classification of the Functions of Government, International Standard Classification of Education, and International Standard Classification of Occupations. Chair, in closing, I would like to express My sincere appreciation to the Committee, the task teams, and their chairs for their excellent contributions and continued commitment. I look forward to the deliberations of the Commission. Thank you.

Muchas gracias a la señora Milacic. I thank Ms. Milacic. I now give the floor to Mr. Julian Chow, Chief of the Business Statistics Section of UN Statistics. Statistics Division to summarize the proposed decision for adoption on Friday and the final report on this item.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Based on the introduction of the report and its content outlining the work undertaken in a transparent and open process, it is the Secretary's understanding that the Commission wishes to include the following decision in the report for this agenda. Item. The Commission welcomed the report of the Committee of Experts on International Statistical Classification. Endorsed the Classification of Statistical Activities Version 2.1 as an international statistical classification. Endorsed the structure of the Standard International Energy Product Classification Version 2.0 as an international statistical classification. Encouraged the Committee to finalize the explanatory notes and relevant correspondences. Supported a revision of the International Recommendations for Energy Statistics in connection with the development of the revised SEAC. Requested the Inter-Secretary Working Group on Energy Statistics to present a revision work program to the Commission at its 58th for consideration. Endorse the Extended Balance of Payments Services Classification 2026 as an international statistical classification. Endorse the International Statistical Classification on Alternative Care of Children as an international statistical classification. Endorse the International Classification of Dying Places as an international statistical statistical classification. Request the continuous provision of technical assistance to member states for the implementation of the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activity and Central Product Classification implementation. Call for the timely publication of the approved international statistical classifications. Thank you.

I thank Mr. Chow. Before giving the floor to delegations who have informed Ms. Huber that they wish to take the floor, I'd like to remind you that for this agenda item, under which there is no further debate provided for, so I would like to ask delegations to be very brief in their statements to be able to keep within the allotted time. I'd now like to give the floor to the distinguished delegation of Chile.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I take— I make the statement on behalf of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. Following up on what was announced in the last session, we are pleased to be able to inform you that as a region, thanks to the collaborative work of the Statistics Institutes in Peru, Chile, and the Administrative National Department in Colombia. In 2025, we translated to Spanish the International Standards and Industrial Classification Revision 5. This represents a regional effort, the aim of which is to make available to the statistics community and the public in general a new version in Spanish of the classifier of economic activities facilitating its understanding and dissemination before the latest integration process into our national systems. This translation is currently available on the webpage of INE Chile and it will soon be available on the Statistics Conference for Latin America. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished delegation of Chile, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Germany.

Yes, thank you, Madam Chair. To do the time, we just have a quick note. From our point of view, the timetable of the ICAD revision is very ambitious since the relevant task force have not yet started their work. Germany is closely monitoring the process of the blended ICAD ISCEAD revision at the level of operation and will be the only European Union member state to participate in the task force defining professional, occupational, and academic programs at ISCEAD. Thank you very much.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair, distinguished delegates. Bulgaria endorses the progress updates and proposal for approval of key international statistical classification used by member states in the collection and data analysis. The Bulgarian Statistical Institute has actively participated in the consultation process of the international Specification of Alternative Care of Children and would like to express our strong support for its endorsement as an international statistical standard. Throughout its development, we have been consistently impressed by the methodological rigor, the inclusiveness of the consultation, and the high level of coordination. These qualities are clearly reflected in the robustness and qualify of the resulting classification. Bulgaria believes that establishing a coherent and harmonized framework for data of children in alternative care is essential for improving the evidence-based in the highly sensitive policy area. Reliable and comparable data are crucial for understanding the needs of children, monitoring progress, and supporting meaningful care reform. At national and international level. The International Classification of Alternative Care of Children provides exactly this foundation. It offers a common language for countries to classify and report of the diverse reform of alternative care by respective national specificities. For Bulgaria, as many other countries, such a standard will significantly strengthen our capacity to produce highly quality statistics, improve coordination across institutions, and align our work with international commitment. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Bulgaria, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Bahamas.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Bahamas, on behalf of the CARICOM region, welcome the inclusion of food security and nutrition as a distinct statistical domain under the revised classification of statistical activities. Food security remains a priority for CARICOM given the region's exposure to external shocks, supply chain disruption, and climate vulnerability. Strengthening statistics in this area will support evidence-based policy and the CARICOM 25 by 2025+5 agenda. We also welcome efforts to strengthen energy statistics and education classification. Chair, transitioning to revised and new classification requires significant investment in training system and methodological alignment, presenting real challenges for national statistical offices and wider national statistical systems across CARICOM. We thank the ILO, FAO Caribbean, IMF, CARCTAC for their continued support and encourage development partners to assist in strengthening regional capacity, including support for CARICOM technical working groups on classification to promote peer learning and coordinated implementation. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Bahamas. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United Arab Emirates.

Madam Chair, the United Arab Emirates extends its thanks to the Statistics Division of the United Nations, the Committee of Experts, and different task teams. Thank you for your efforts to promote international classifications. This plays a key role in ensuring cohesion and coherence and in promoting the production of official statistics. We support the current classifications under this agenda item. We also support a revision of the International Statistics on Energy Products. At the same time, we underscore the importance of any such update updating to be coupled with clear measures that ensure the comparability is scheduled and tabled. There must be also methodological guidance in order to ensure continuity. In addition, statistics and the classifications must be readable and machine-readable so that they can be integrated into national systems to reduce implementation burden. Capacity building must continue to be provided and guidance must be provided for member states. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the United Arab Emirates, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Georgia.

Distinguished delegates, Georgia fully supports the endorsement of the International Classification of Alternative Care of Children. This classification addresses a real and longstanding gap in the international statistical system. Reliable comparable data on children in alternative care is not a bureaucratic formality. It is a cornerstone for effective child protection policy and for ensuring that no child is left behind. Classification provides the standardized concepts and definitions needed to improve data quality, strengthen comparability across countries, and facilitate cooperation between statistical offices and child protection agencies. It is also a— a timely and relevant tool for monitoring SDG targets on protecting children from violence, abuse, and neglect. We commend UNICEF and all partners involved in developing this classification. Their work fills a critical gap and will make a tangible difference for children and for the systems designed to protect them. Georgia looks forward to its implementation. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Georgia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Morocco.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Africa Group notes and aligns with the report of the Committee of Experts on International Statistics Classification. The report continues to serve as an important reference for countries, particularly those transitioning from out outdated or nationally specific classifications to internationally agreed standards. We take note of the efforts of the United Nations Statistics Division to support use of artificial intelligence and data science in statistical datasets, concepts, and classifications. We recognize the importance of implementation support for allowing the validation of revised classification, particularly for countries facing technical and capital capacity challenges. The Africa Group is of the view that consideration to be made on developing strategies that would support such endeavor. In this regard, the availability of clearly labeled correspondence table together with explanatory notes will support effective adoption at the national level. We further take note of the reference in the report to propose support for the revision of the Standard International trade classification, given that responsibility for SIETC rests with the Committee of Experts on International Statistical Classification. Clarification of coordination arrangements among relevant expert groups would support coherence in the revision process. As highlighted in the report, the Economic Commission for Africa plays an active role in the specialized Technical Group on Classification in Africa. In this context, the Africa Group supports consideration of the participation of AFRISTAT in the Committee of Experts, particularly with respect to the international standard, International Classification and Central Product Classification, taking into account AFRISTAT's experience in supporting the application of classifications in African countries. Africa Group and those items 32 AF, as outlined in the report of the Committee of Experts on International Statistical Classification. Africa Group further welcomes the progress made by the Committee and its task teams. Finally, the Africa Group expresses its appreciation for the Committee of Experts and to the United Nations Statistics Division for their continued support to regional initiatives and expert engagements especially the invitation of the CA to participate in and to contribute to its annual meetings. We congratulate the committee on its valuable efforts to strengthen coordination, incorporate regional perspective, and advance the modernization of international statistical classification.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I thank the distinguished representative of Morocco, and I now give the floor to the Distinguished Representative of the Philippines.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Philippines endorses the new structure of the CSA version 2.1, which includes the creation of a new statistical activity on food security and nutrition, which affirms its importance and will strengthen CSA as a framework for producing consistent and comparable data to guide evidence-based policies and programs. The Philippines endorses the —of the Standard International Energy Product Classification version 2.0 recognizes its continuous development and maintenance and supports its gradual integration into national statistical activities. The Philippines likewise supports the revision of the International Recommendations for Energy Statistics in connection with the development of SIAC 3.0. The Philippines also endorses the Extended Balance of Payment Services Classification 2026 as an international statistical classification. The revision of EBOPS enhances its relevance and accuracy in compiling a more detailed international trade in services statistics. The Philippines likewise endorses the international classification of Alternative Care of Children, or ICARE, as proposed by the UNICEF. As a new international statistical classification. The ICARE will provide a standardized framework for the collection, compilation, and classification of statistical data that promotes the welfare and protection of children. In addition, the Philippines endorses the International Classification of Dying Places as an official international statistical classification, recognizing its value in providing a standardized— and internationally comparable framework for compiling statistics on places of end life of care and death. Finally, the Philippines commends the committee and its task team progress in advancing international statistical classifications. The committee is encouraged to facilitate knowledge sharing and international training on the newly developed international statistical classifications to strengthen their implementation among member states. Needs. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Philippines, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of UNICEF.

On behalf of UNICEF, we are incredibly grateful to all the partners and national statistical offices that devoted time to reviewing the ICARE throughout the many stages of review and consultation. Their contributions and inputs have been invaluable and instrumental ensuring that the ICARE is a rigorous and useful tool for countries to strengthen data on children in alternative care. We are also grateful to the delegations that expressed their support to ICARE in today's session and to the Committee of Experts on Statistical Classifications. UNICEF is committed to supporting countries in the uptake of the ICARE, and we are keen to pursue further collaborations. Also, on behalf of FAO, UNICEF, and WHO, I would like to express our sincere appreciation for the inclusion of a standalone data domain on food security and nutrition in the newly endorsed Classification of Statistical Activities version 2.1. Over 90% of respondents endorsed the draft CSA version 2.1, and over 96% agree with the proposed changes. This broad support underscores the relevance of the update and the importance of improving the visibility and coherence Food Security and Nutrition Statistics. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of UNICEF. I see no more requests for the floor. I'd like to ask the Secretariat to make any necessary adjustments to the draft decision. Uh, the Commission will review the revised text on Friday. The Commission has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of item 4E. I invite the Commission to begin its consideration of agenda item 4F, entitled Integration of Statistical and Geospatial Information, under which the Commission has before it for decision the report of the Expert Group on the Integration of Statistical and Geospatial Information contained in document E/CN3/2026/ 2023. Several background documents are also available on the Commission's website. I give the floor to Ms. Maria do Carmo de Bueno, Director of Geosciences at the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, to introduce the report.

One moment. Okay, thank you, Madame Chair. Distinguished delegates and colleagues, it gives— it gives me the great pleasure to introduce this item on behalf of the expert group and informed the Commission of the significant progress they have made. As you recall, at the 51st session, the Commission adopted the Global Statistical Geospatial Framework, GSGF, as a globally consistent mechanism for integrating statistical and geospatial information, as set out in Decision 51/123. At this 57th session, they present the second edition of GSGF, endorsed by the Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information and updated to reflect advances in the statistical and geospatial domains to support countries in more effectively integrating statistical and geospatial data Unlock insights that advance sustainable development and strengthen governance worldwide. The report is comprehensive and includes many activities relevant to the Commission and its subsidiary groups. However, for brevity, I draw your attention to these few items of immediate priority. These include our purpose, papers that detail the benefits of the United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework for the statistical domain. The Geostatistical Integration for Now and the Future: Strategic Plan and Vision for 2030. And also a draft paper on GIS/GF and data disaggregation, which underscores how located-based data integration supports SDGs indicators and integrated statistical data production. In summary, we encourage, encourage member states to implement and operationalize the GSGF and participate in the work of the expert group to continue strengthening coordination and coherence of activities related to the integration of statistical and geospatial information.

Thank you. I thank Ms. Díaz Bueno. I now give the floor to Mr. Guillaume La Salle from the Global Geospatial Information Management section of the UN Statistics Division to summarize the proposed decision for adoption on Friday and the final report on this item.

Thank you, Madam 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 decision in the report for this agenda item. The Commission welcomed the report and the progress of the expert group, supported its strategic plan, Vision and 2025-2027 Work Plan and recognized the critical role of integrating statistical and geospatial information for policymaking. Endorsed the second edition of the Global Statistical Geospatial Framework aligned with Decision 15/109 of 2025 of the Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management. Encourage member states to adopt it and urge for resource mobilization and translations for, for its implementation. Welcome the unique identifiers for city concept aligned with Decision 2025/8 of 2025 of the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names and welcomed the papers on the benefits of the United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework for the statistical domain and the Global Statistical Geospatial Framework and data disaggregation enabling location-based data integration to support SDG indicator production. Thank you, Madam Chair. I thank Mr.

Le Soult before I give the floor to delegation Given that we are just 9 minutes from the end of the meeting, I would like to say that I will give the floor to the 3 delegations that asked Ms. Hooper to be included on the list of speakers. I would like to ask each delegation for their understanding. Each speaker will have 1 minute. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Slovenia.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Slovenia welcomes the report of the expert group and fully supports the endorsement of the second edition of the Global Statistical Geospatial Framework and its strengthened alignment with the UN Integrated Geospatial Information Framework. We particularly welcome the emphasis placed on data disaggregation to support the 2030 Agenda. Without adequate geographic disaggregation, vulnerable populations and local realities remain statistically invisible. Our office already applies the GSGEF at various levels of statistical production. It provides us with a framework to assess current integration of statistical and geospatial information to guide complex data linkages and strengthen dissemination through interoperable platforms and machine-readable services. In our view, geospatial dimension of statistical data is not an optional enhancement. It is an essential component of data quality and high data quality are the foundation of trusted official statistics. By strengthening the way in which data are linked, managed, and disseminated— —the GSGF directly reinforces these quality dimensions. Just one last sentence. In data-rich but trust-poor environments, statistics lacking spatial clarity are more vulnerable to misinterpretation and misuse.

Thank you so much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Slovenia. Now I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of the UK.

The opportunity to thank our co-chair Claudio Stenna and the members of the expert group for their contribution to the group's work and the second edition of the Global Statistical Geospatial Framework. The UK endorses the second edition of this framework. In bringing together statistical and geospatial data, the framework helps to ensure that the different components of our data ecosystem do not remain isolated, but instead come together coherently, rather like the ingredients of a well-prepared dish, even where even the meatballs find their place within the broader structure of the meal.

The UK also supports the concept of a universal unique identifier for cities as outlined within the report. Thank you. Muchas gracias, alcalde.

I thank the distinguished representative of the United Kingdom, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Bahamas.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

The Bahamas, on behalf of CARICOM, supports the work of the expert group. This work being done is critical for disaster management and risk mitigation, climate resilience, improve public sector planning and overall sustainable development of Caribbean communities, particularly within the context of the SIDS. Given the vulnerability of CARICOM states to natural disasters, resilience and secure infrastructure is critical to ensuring continuity of our statistical operations, thus expanding physical and digital infrastructure to ensure reliable data storage systems, servers, high-performance workstations, and cloud computing solutions must be seen as critical. We also need to advance workforce development by training our statisticians and GIS professionals so that adequate regional capacity can be built in geospatial data management, spatial analysis, and such forth. Thus, sustainable financing models must be explored to guarantee the long-term implementation of the integration of statistical and geospatial information. We embrace the work plan for '25 to '27. And the strategic plan and vision for 2030, and look forward to continued collaboration in advancing this important agenda. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Bahamas. As I mentioned, we've heard from the delegations who informed Ms. Hooper of their intention to speak. I would like to ask the Secretariat to make any necessary adjustment to the proposed draft decision, the Commission will review the revised text on Friday. The Commission has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of item 4. Distinguished delegates, I invite the Commission to turn its attention to agenda item 5 entitled items for information comprising sub-items a to j. Under these sub-items, the Commission has before it for information the reports contained in the documents with symbols E/CN3/2026/24 to E/CN3/2026/33. In the interest of time, I will not read out the titles of those documents. Instead, I refer delegations to document E/CN3/2026/L 1, where all report titles are listed. I add that for sub-items 5a, b, d, f, and h, background documents are also available on the Commission's website. In accordance with the established practice of the Commission, information items are neither introduced nor summarised. The Commission is expected to take note of the reports before it Without further debate, accordingly, I propose that the Commission take note of the information items en bloc and kindly request the cooperation of all delegations in this regard. May I take it that the Commission wishes to take note of the, uh, doc— the documents contained in Documents ECN 3/2026/24 to 33. I see no objection. It is so decided. The Commission has thus concluded its consideration of items 5A to J. The Commission will reconvene tomorrow morning at 10 AM in this room to continue and conclude the consideration of the items on its agenda. In accordance with past practice, the Secretariat will circulate tomorrow morning the informal paper containing the draft decisions. I would once again like to ask delegations to use the QR code located at the back of the room to add their email addresses and to be able to receive the informal paper. The meeting is adjourned.