The 48th session of the UN Statistical Commission (UNSD) was opened by Lenni Montiel, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), marking the 70th anniversary year of its work. Dr. Wasmália Bivar of Brazil was re-elected UNSD Chair, with Kenya, the Republic of Korea and Switzerland as Vice-chairs and Latvia as Rapporteur.
Motiel noted in his address that this 70th anniversary meeting was for the first time being held in the General Assembly Hall. The first meeting had taken place at Lake Success with a very small number of statisticians, together with some observers, present. Now there were more than 700 delegates. He reflected on the changes in the work of the Commission, including those related to gender equality. Among the new challenges is the global indicator framework that the IAEG-SDGs has been developing over the last 18 months. The High-level Group (HLG), meanwhile, has been providing statistical leadership in support of SDGs, including the World Data Forum (WDF), which brought together 1400 participants, opening the dialogue with non-official data communities. The Cape Town Global Action Plan was also launched. Many people are looking forward to the second WDF to be held in Dubai in 2018.
A video presentation marking the 70th anniversary was introduced by the Director of the Statistical Division, after which reflections were given by former chairs from Latvia and South Africa.
In introducing the agenda for the meeting, the Chair recognized civil society organizations (CSOs) participants as observers, referring to space and time constraints. CSOs would be in the gallery and there would be no time for statements. The Commission adopted the Agenda, Programme of Work and Timetable
