The African Union (AU) is actively participating in the 56th session of the United Nations Statistical Commission, which is being held from 4 to 7 March 2025 at the UN Headquarters in New York. The AU delegation consists of members of the Bureau of the Directorate General of National Statistics Offices and representatives from the African Union Statistical Institute (AU STATFRIC). The delegation is led by Ms. Botho Kebabonye Bayendi, Acting Executive Director, and Dr. Jose Awong Alene, Acting Head of the Statistical System Coordination and Innovation Division.
A consultative meeting was held at the Mandela Conference Hall of the AU Permanent Observer Mission at the UN on 3 March 2025 prior to the main session. The meeting, attended by the Executive Board General Bureau and the African Statistical Commission (StatCom-Africa), focused on reviewing the oral statements on the African Common Position (ACP).
Opening the session, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs R. Li Junhua stressed the need for inclusive progress in data management and capacity building. He noted that the Commission is focused on two key decisions: the 2030 World Population and Housing Census Programme and the System of National Accounts 2025. Both initiatives play a key role in monitoring progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and supporting the 2030 Agenda.
Junhua also stressed the importance of adapting to the digital transformation of statistical systems. He noted that the Commission’s work will contribute to broader UN initiatives, including upcoming global conferences such as the Third UN Oceans Conference (France) in June, the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (Spain) in July and the Second World Summit on Social Development (Qatar) in November. Data management and capacity building are expected to be key issues at these conferences.
As the highest authority in the global statistical system, the UN Statistical Commission is responsible for setting international statistical standards. The African Union stressed that African countries should take a united stance and coordinate their contributions to key discussions and decisions during the session. Each country was encouraged to align its interests with the broader African Common Position to strengthen Africa’s voice in global statistical negotiations.