Anguilla is preparing to welcome senior statisticians from across the region for the 51st meeting of the Standing Committee of Caribbean Statisticians (SCCS).
The flagship event will form part of the CARICOM Statistics Series of Meetings, taking place from 22 to 30 October.
Chief statistician Lori-Rae Alleyne-Franklin told Anguilla Focus that the meeting is a historic milestone for Anguilla’s statistical system.
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“Hosting the SCCS for the first time in its 50-year history is a recognition of Anguilla’s place within the regional statistical community and provides an opportunity to showcase the development of its national statistical system,” she said.
“The SCCS brings together chief statisticians and directors of statistics from CARICOM members, associate and observer members to consider regional statistical priorities, standards, methodologies and programmes.
“CARICOM Statistics hosting gives Anguilla an opportunity not merely to participate in those discussions, but to help shape them.”
In addition to the SCCS, Anguilla will host several other meetings during the week.
The 36th Advisory Group on Statistics (AGS) will support strategic discussion and guidance on statistical development within the regional framework.
The 38th Regional Census Coordinating Committee (RCCC) will provide a forum for coordination and collaboration on regional census programmes.
The 16th Regional Statistical and Research Seminar (RSRS) will bring together statisticians, researchers and other stakeholders to share research, innovations, methodologies and best practices in statistics.
The meetings will bring together Caribbean statistical offices and members of the National Statistical System, including producers, users, research institutions and suppliers of statistics.
Regional and international development partners, including UNESCO, UNICEF, the World Bank and the Food and Agriculture Organization will also be joining.
They will have the opportunity to exchange knowledge, strengthen collaboration and address emerging priorities in the production and use of official statistics.
Alleyne-Franklin said it creates a legacy opportunity and should not be viewed simply as an event that takes place in Anguilla and then ends.
“It could be used to advance specific national initiatives – particularly strengthening the National Statistical System, improving administrative data-sharing, modernising statistical systems, and addressing longstanding data gaps,” she said.
The Anguilla Statistics Department is coordinating preparations for the meetings in collaboration with CARICOM Secretariat Statistics Division.
