Regional meeting to boost statistical innovation in the Pacific

October 9, 2024 9:43 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Adorina Massing.

Vanuatu is the first country outside the Pacific Community’s (SPC) base in New Caledonia to host the regional summit on statistics governance, held this week at the Warwick Le Lagon.

Acting Prime Minister (PM) and Minister of Finance, Johnny Koanapo, had the honour of officially opening the side event, “Statistical Innovation in the Pacific – Seminar,” yesterday.

The side event, featuring interactive, informal sessions and seminars, runs alongside the regional governance meetings. Its aim is to facilitate discussion, networking, professional development, and information sharing on key topics concerning statistics in the Pacific.

Acting PM Koanapo described the week-long gathering as a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and explore ways to collectively advance national and regional statistical systems.

“This is a moment of great importance for us, as we welcome so many leaders, experts, and development partners to our shores,” he said in his speech.

“As Minister of Finance and Economic Management, I have a clear vision for Vanuatu—one where digitalisation plays a key role in transforming our nation.

“By harnessing the power of technology and data, we can streamline government processes, support decentralisation, and drive sustainable economic growth. Our goal is to build a government that is more efficient, responsive, and better equipped to serve all citizens, especially those in remote and rural areas.”

The Acting PM said the growth of ecommerce offers an exciting opportunity for Vanuatu’s economy.

“As we continue our digital transformation, we must ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises are well-positioned to thrive in the digital economy. By fostering an environment conducive to e-commerce, we can open new markets for our entrepreneurs, stimulate innovation, and strengthen economic resilience.”

However, he cautioned that none of these ambitious goals can be achieved without reliable, timely, and accurate data.

“Data systems must be equipped to support evidence-based decision-making—whether it’s tracking the progress of decentralisation, ensuring the reach of digital services in remote areas, or measuring the impact of e-commerce on economic growth.”

He stressed that reliable data forms the foundation for effective policies and strategies.

“This event on statistical innovation comes at a crucial time for Vanuatu and the Pacific as a whole. We are facing challenges such as climate change, natural disasters, and the need for sustainable economic growth. The innovative statistical methods, technologies, and approaches discussed today provide us with the tools to better understand and respond to these challenges.

“By improving our data systems, we can strengthen our ability to address natural disasters, adapt to climate change, and build a more resilient future for our people.”

At the heart of his vision for Vanuatu is the belief that data drives development efforts.

“Through events like this, we can learn from one another, share best practices, and explore new ways to harness the transformative power of data for the benefit of our people,” he added.

He encouraged participants to reflect on how the innovative approaches and technologies discussed during the event can be applied to further Pacific Islands’ digitalisation efforts and contribute to broader development goals.

“Our shared objective is clear: to use data and technology to improve lives, strengthen economies, and build more resilient, prosperous communities throughout the Pacific,” the Minister concluded. “Data has the potential to transform our region, and I am confident that the ideas and collaborations emerging from this event will help propel Vanuatu and the wider Pacific towards a brighter future.”

SPC Regional Director Sarah Mecartney said the event offers a valuable opportunity for collaboration and exchanging ideas among members of SPC, the Pacific Statistics Standing Committee (PSSC), the Pacific Statistics Methods Board (PSMB), the Donor and Development Partners Group (DDPG), and the Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics (VBoS).

“There is an increasing demand for data and a need for coordinated discussions, so each country can share their experiences and research with other economies globally to achieve statistical innovation,” she added.

The Strategic Framework for Pacific Statistics 2022–2030 is the long-term strategy that sets out the vision, outcomes, pathways, and key focus areas for the region’s statistics systems over the next decade. It was approved at the Head of Statistics and Planning meeting in Noumea in October 2023 and serves as the guiding framework for statistical development in the Pacific region.