India’s unanimous election to the United Nations Statistical Commission after two decades is significant for setting international statistical standards and redefining GDP measurement. In this context, it is important to understand what the United Nations Statistical Commission is, its functions, objectives, significance and India’s role in the organisation. This topic is relevant for the IAS exam international relations segment.
What is the United Nations Statistical Commission?
The United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC), founded in 1947, serves as the highest decision-making body for international statistical activities. Its main purpose is to promote the development of national statistical systems and the improvement of statistics at the international level. The UNSC provides a platform for member states to share their experiences and challenges in producing and using statistics and to develop best practices.
- Membership: The UNSC consists of 24 member states, which are elected by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for a term of four years. Members are selected based on their expertise and experience in statistics and their commitment to advancing statistical development.
- Working Methods: The UNSC holds an annual session to discuss and decide on statistical issues and priorities. The session includes formal meetings, side events, and seminars. The UNSC also establishes and oversees several expert groups and task forces, which provide technical guidance and support for statistical activities.
- Priorities and Work Programme: The UNSC sets priorities for statistical development based on global and regional needs and priorities. It also develops a work programme to guide its activities for the upcoming year, which includes topics such as data quality, statistical capacity building, and the use of new technologies.
- Global Coordination Mechanisms: The UNSC coordinates with other United Nations bodies, such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), to ensure that statistical activities are aligned with broader development goals. It also collaborates with regional and international organizations to promote harmonization and standardization of statistical methods and data.
- Data Dissemination: The UNSC promotes the dissemination of high-quality and reliable statistics through various channels, such as online databases, publications, and data portals. It also provides guidance on data dissemination policies and practices to member states, including guidelines on data confidentiality, data accessibility, and data quality.
- Capacity Building: The UNSC plays a crucial role in building statistical capacity in developing countries, by providing technical assistance, training, and resources. It also promotes the exchange of knowledge and expertise between member states and facilitates partnerships between national statistical offices, development agencies, and other stakeholders.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: The UNSC monitors and evaluates progress in statistical development at the global and national levels, using a range of indicators and benchmarks. It also conducts periodic reviews of statistical activities in member states, to assess the quality and relevance of statistics and identify areas for improvement. The UNSC uses these reviews to provide feedback and support to member states in enhancing their statistical systems.
India and the United Nations Statistical Commission
- India is a UN member and signatory to statistical standards issued by the Commission from time to time on various thematic areas.
- In the Republic of India’s 76-year history, two of its prominent statisticians have chaired the Commission. P.C. Mahalanobis chaired the Commission’s eighth and ninth sessions held in 1954 and 1956, respectively, and V.R. Rao chaired the 19th session in 1976.
- Mahalanobis created a sub-commission on statistical sampling, which paved the way for the application of sample surveys in various fields of official statistics.
- Rao strengthened the statistical organizations of many developing countries across several regions, especially for carrying out household sample surveys.
- The UNSC’s only ever session held outside a UN duty station was in New Delhi, in 1976, at the invitation of the Indian government.
Opportunity India has as a member of the United Nations Statistical Commission:
- Setting International Statistical Standards: The UNSC is the highest body of the global statistical system responsible for setting statistical standards and the development of concepts and methods. India has the opportunity to play a crucial role in setting international statistical standards.
- Chairing the Commission: India also has the possibility of chairing the commission during its tenure, which will provide the country with an opportunity to lead the global statistical community.
- Implementation of Statistical Standards: As a UN member and signatory to statistical standards issued by the Commission, India adopts these standards to implement various statistical processes like household survey data, employment-unemployment statistics, price statistics, health accounts, tourism accounts, environment accounts, etc.
- Deliberation on Important Issues: During India’s tenure as a member of the Commission, many important issues will be deliberated upon, such as the finalization and implementation of the System of National Accounts (SNA) 2025, which refers to the framework adopted by the UN member countries for the formulation of national accounts.
- Measurement of Unpaid Work: The revision of the SNA 2025 provides an opportunity for India to redefine it and develop methods to measure the value addition of unpaid work, which is currently not accounted for.
- Measurement of Digitalization: Rapid digitalization in India and other countries has changed the basic structure of production, consumption, and expenditure, and India can play a key role in the forthcoming revision of the Commission’s SNA to bring about a consensus on including additional digital industries and products and enabling countries to clearly measure the contribution of digitalization.
- Representation of the Global South: India’s membership in the UNSC allows the country to represent the global south in setting statistical standards and help with their implementation.
Conclusion: India’s unanimous election to the United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC) after two decades is a significant opportunity for India to play a crucial role in setting international statistical standards. India’s membership can help in the implementation of statistical processes that play a critical role in the country’s planning processes and enable comparability across countries. India’s representation in the global south will help set statistical standards and help with their implementation.
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