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Context

• India has been elected to the highest statistical body of the United Nations for a four-year term beginning January 1, 2024.

About UN Statistical Commission

• The United Nations Statistical Commission, established in 1947, is the highest body of the global statistical system bringing together the Chief Statisticians from member states from around the world.
• It is the highest decision-making body for international statistical activities, responsible for setting of statistical standards and the development of concepts and methods, including their implementation at the national and international level.
• The Statistical Commission oversees the work of the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), and it is a Functional Commission of the UN Economic and Social Council.

Sessions

• The 54th session of the United Nations Statistical Commission was held on 28 February - 3 March 2023.

Mandate

• The Statistical Commission was established by the Economic and Social Council. Commission shall assist the Council:
  • In promoting the development of national statistics and the improvement of their comparability;
  • In the coordination of the statistical work of specialized agencies;
  • In the development of the central statistical services of the Secretariat;
  • In advising the organs of the United Nations on general questions relating to the collection, analysis and dissemination of statistical information;
  • In promoting the improvement of statistics and statistical methods generally.

Items considered

• The Statistical Commission considers special issues of concern in international statistical development, methodological issues, coordination and integration of international statistical programmes, support of technical cooperation activities in statistics and organizational matters.

Frequency of meetings

• In July 1999 the Economic and Social Council decided that the Commission should meet annually for four days each session, starting in the year 2000.

Membership

• The Commission consists of 24 member countries of the United Nations elected by the United Nations Economic and Social Council on the basis of an equitable geographical distribution according to the following pattern:
  • Five members from African States;
  • Four members from Asia-Pacific States;
  • Four members from Eastern European States;
  • Four members from Latin American and Caribbean States;
  • Seven members from Western European and other States.
• The term of office of members is four years.

Bureau

• The officers of the Commission, also referred to as the Bureau, are the Chairman, 3 Vice-chairmen and the Rapporteur.

About United Nations Economic and Social Council

• The Economic and Social Council is at the heart of the United Nations system to advance the three dimensions of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental.
• It is the central platform for fostering debate and innovative thinking, forging consensus on ways forward, and coordinating efforts to achieve internationally agreed goals.
• It is also responsible for the follow-up to major UN conferences and summits.
• The UN Charter established ECOSOC in 1945 as one of the six main organs of the United Nations.

PRACTICE QUESTION Q) The mandate of the United Nations Statistical Commission is to assist the Economic and Social Council on international statistics development. Discuss. (250 words)

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