Seventh Meeting of Heads for SAARC Statistical Organizations

Colombo, Sri Lanka, 23 to24 July 2015

The maiden  conference of heads of  the National Statistical Organizations  (SAARCSTAT) of  the countries of South Asia  region was held  in Calcutta,  India  in 2005 with  the view of enhancing regional  cooperation  on  Statistical  affairs.  At  the  sixth meeting  held  in  Kathmandu, Nepal  in 2014, Sri Lanka was unanimously chosen to host the conference for 2015. Accordingly, On  behalf  of  the  of  the Democratic  Socialist  Republic  of  Sri  Lanka,  the National Statistical Organization  (NSO) of Sri Lanka; Department of Census and Statistics  (DCS) with the coordination  of Ministry  of  Foreign  Affairs,  Sri  Lanka was  organized  the  Seventh Meeting  of Heads of  SAARC  Statistical Organisations  (SAARCSTAT).  The  Seventh  SAARCSTAT meeting was held in Colombo on 23‐24 July 2015.  The  theme  of  the  seventh  meeting  was  ‘Education  Statistics’  which  focused  on  existing disparities among children in the SAARC region.  Inaugural Session The Inaugural Session began at 9.00 a.m. on 23 July 2015 with lighting of the traditional oil lamp followed by National Anthem of Sri Lanka. Dr. Amara Satharasinghe, Director-General, Department of Census and Statistics, Government of Sri Lanka delivered the welcome address and hoped that important outcomes would be reached during the deliberations of the Meeting. He emphasised on the importance of exchange of innovations, experiences and ideas for learning from one another for development of all Member Countries. Keynote Address was delivered by Prof. Kithsiri Liyanage, Secretary to Ministry of Policy Planning, Economic Affairs, Child, Youth and Cultural Affairs, Government of Sri Lanka. He stressed the important role played by statistics in devising national plans for all sectors of the economies in all Member States including alleviation of poverty. Availability of relevant, accurate and timely data helps in decision-making in the national planning process as evidence-based policies identify the areas where focus is required. He therefore highlighted that importance of using latest information tools for ensuring that the statistical data generated by the national statistical bodies is latest, relevant, cost-effective, accessible and accurate. He appreciated that ‘Educational Statistics’ has been chosen as the theme for this Meeting as education is one of the main requirements for development of the region. He expressed hope that such meetings of SAARCSTAT would go a long way in adding value to the joint efforts for development of SAARC region which is one of the fast growing regions of the world today. He welcomed the

2

delegates from Member States to Sri Lanka and hoped that they would be also able to take time out to also see the natural and cultural beauty of Sri Lanka. Ms. L. Savithri, Director, Economic, Trade and Finance Division, SAARC Secretariat conveyed the best wishes of Secretary-General of SAARC to all delegations for successful conclusion of the Meeting. She urged all Member States to ensure effective and timely implementation of the decisions of SAARCSTAT. She thanked the Government of Sri Lanka for hosting the Meeting and for making excellent arrangements for the same and for providing generous hospitality to all delegations. She emphasised the importance of uploading updated data on the SAARCSTAT Web Portal on a regular basis. She requested all delegations to give their views on strengthening the Portal. In this regard, she informed that the Asian Development Bank has agreed to provide financial and technical assistance for supporting the SAARCSTAT Web Portal for one year. Delegates from SAARC countries; India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and host country Sri Lanka and representatives from SAARC Secretariat in Katmandu, Nepal attend the inauguration. Representatives from the SAARC Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and key local and foreign data users also attend the event. Representatives from several government institutions also attended the inauguration.

3

Inaugural Session– Head Table

Inauguration Session

4

Opening of the Meeting

The following six Meetings of SAARCSTAT have been held so far:

Meeting Venue and Dates

First Kolkata, 26-27 May 2005 Second Dhaka, 17 April 2008 Third Paro, Bhutan, 18-19 November 2010 Fourth Islamabad, 24-25 October 2011 Fifth Maldives, 4-5 November 2012 Sixth Nepal, 12-13 June 2014

Mr. Bikash Bista, Director-General, Central Bureau of Statistics, Government of Nepal and the leader of the delegation of Nepal opened the Seventh Meeting of Heads of SAARC Statistical Organisations (SAARCSTAT) as the current Chairperson of SAARCSTAT. He expressed his thanks to all National Statistical Organisations of Member States for extending cooperation during the chairmanship of Nepal.

Election of Chairperson

Dr. Amara Satharasinghe, Director General, Department of Census and Statistics, Government of

Sri Lanka and the Leader of the delegation of Sri Lanka was elected as the Chairperson of the

Meeting by acclamation.

Closing of the Meeting

Mr. T.V. Raman, Additional Director General, Additional Director General (Training)-cum-

Director, National Statistical Systems Training Academy (NSSTA), Ministry of Statistics and

Programme Implementation, Government of India and the leader of the delegation of India

proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairperson for smoothly conducting the deliberations of the

Meeting. He commended the Government of Sri Lanka for making excellent arrangements for

holding the Meeting and for extending warm hospitality to the delegates. He also expressed

appreciation to the SAARC Secretariat for the assistance and preparation of reference documents

which facilitated deliberations of the Meeting.

The Chairperson closed the Meeting with thanks to all delegations.

5

Group Photo of the Delegates

Technical Session – Day 01

6

Group Photo of the Delegates and Members of the Workshop Secretarial Unit

Technical Session – Day 02