Directors Generals of National Statistics Converge In Yamoussoukro To Discuss Post-2015 Development Agenda

Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire 1st December 2012 - Following the adoption of the African Charter on Statistics in January 2009 by the African Union Summit and its quest to address the challenges and improve the statistical capacity of African countries, the Department of Economic Affairs of the AU Commission has enjoined the Committee of Directors Generals of National Statistics Office (CoDGs) from 30th November to 1st December 2012, to exchange views on the way forward with respect to the Strategy for the Harmonization of Statistics in Africa (SHaSA) adopted in July 2010, during the AU Summit in Kampala, Uganda. SHaSA provide guidance on harmonization of statistics on the continent in support the African integration agenda and enhance coordination and collaboration with National Statistical Offices (NSOs), regional and continental statistical organizations as well as development partners.

Organized by the AU Commission in collaboration with ECA and AfDB the meeting of the CoDGs brainstormed the SHaSA sectoral strategies to scale up the availability of reliable and timely data for tracking MDGs; African integration agenda and future development agenda progresses. The meeting was opened by Dr. Rene Kouassi Nguetia, Director for Economic Affairs of the AUC.

Holding under the theme: “Contribution of the African statisticians to the formulation of the Post-2015 Development Agenda a ‘‘Decade 2015-2025 of Africa Transformation”, the objectives of the CoDGs is to discuss how the African statistical system will contribute to the articulation of the post 2015 development agenda and to review the implementation of the SHaSA and the Charter.

Addressing the press at the end of the meeting, Dr. Kouassi stressed on the outcomes of the meeting of CoDGs saying it will help improve the production of timely and reliable data at national level to monitor and evaluate progress towards MDGs at national and continental levels; narrow the discrepancy of data between national and international sources; contribute to the articulation of the post 2015 development agenda and discuss the role the statistics should play; and improve the production of quality trade statistics to inform the establishment of the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) ; among others.
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For further information, please visit AU website: www.au.int