UNITED NATIONS STATISTICAL COMMISSION – INTERNATIONAL
News:
India starts four-year
term as UN Statistical Commission member
What's
in the news?
●
India started its four-year term as a
member of the United Nations Statistical Commission.
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The country had won the election to the
global statistics body in April after a gap of nearly two decades.
Key
takeaways:
●
The period of India’s term corresponds
with the time that the 24-member body
will decide on new norms for national accounts, which will also play an
important role in changing India’s GDP calculations.
●
The last revision to national accounts was
made in 2008, which forms the basis of India’s current GDP series, with 2012 as
a base year.
Statistical
Commission and SDGs:
●
The system of national accounts is an internationally agreed standard
recommendation on measures to compile economic activity.
●
India’s membership in the statistical body
will likely have a bearing on the determination of new systems of environmental
accounts and the determination of
aspects of well-being and sustainability for economies.
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The country has been trying to create a regular database of parameters
under the Sustainable Development Goals.
●
In the 2023 session, the statistical body
organised a high-level forum on official statistics to look beyond measures
like the GDP, which measures economic performance and focus on measures of
well-being aligning with SDGs, which are to be met by 2030.
Multidimensional
Vulnerability Index:
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The forum also introduced measures like
the multidimensional vulnerability index (MVI) to “assess the vulnerability of
small island states as well as other countries.”
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.
Roles:
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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.
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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.
Members:
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The Commission consists of 24 member countries of the United
Nations elected by the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
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It is on the basis of an equitable geographical distribution according
to the following pattern:
○
Five members from African States
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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.
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The term of office of members is four years.