About
The Capacity Building Workshop on “Data Ethics, Governance, and Quality in a Changing Data Ecosystem” for countries in the Asia-Pacific region will take place from 14 to 16 July 2025, in Greater Noida, Delhi-NCR, India. The workshop targets Chief Statisticians and senior statisticians and is jointly organized by the United Nations Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (SIAP) and the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), in cooperation with the National Statistical Systems Training Academy (NSSTA), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India.
The workshop aims to strengthen the capacity of national statistical systems in the Asia-Pacific region to adapt to the rapidly changing data ecosystem. Countries in the region face unique challenges in managing their national data ecosystems, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the need for resilient, adaptive, and high-quality statistical systems that can provide timely and disaggregated data.
After the welcome address and opening remarks, a preliminary session will set the context of the event. The workshop will then proceed with the four key segments detailed here.
Throughout the workshop, participants will engage in interactive breakout sessions and group discussions, providing a platform to share experiences, challenges, and solutions related to their own national contexts. The workshop will culminate in two concluding sessions, structured as group and panel discussions, which will summarize key insights and recommendations and propose a way forward.
With the combined efforts of UNSD, SIAP, NSSTA, and MoSPI, this workshop will foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among senior statisticians and experts in the region. The goal is to ensure that countries of the Asia-Pacific region are equipped to modernize their statistical systems and address the emerging challenges posed by an increasingly complex data ecosystem.
For general reference, please visit the NSSTA website at https://nssta.gov.in.
Key Segments
Data Governance and Stewardship in the Changing National Data Ecosystem
Participants will explore the evolving roles of National Statistical Offices (NSOs) in data governance, with a focus on data stewardship within the Asia-Pacific region. Additionally, the discussion will outline ongoing workstreams related to data stewardship. The session will highlight how to maintain transparency, trust, and data quality in a changing ecosystem.
Modernizing Legislation for Official Statistics to Remain Relevant
This session will focus on modernizing national legislation to ensure that official statistics remain relevant in an evolving data landscape. The discussion will address the need for modern legislation that supports national statistical systems in integrating new data sources and meeting emerging needs, while upholding high professional standards and ensuring quality. Participants will explore how the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics (FPOS) can be effectively incorporated into legal frameworks, safeguarding the independence and trustworthiness of official statistics and ensuring the ethical use of data within and beyond the national statistical system.
Quality Assurance and Novel Data Sources
This session will delve into the implementation of the UN National Quality Assurance Framework (NQAF) and the challenges of ensuring quality in the use of administrative and other emerging data sources. Participants will explore best practices for enhancing data quality while ensuring that statistical systems are agile and responsive to policy needs.
Modern Statistical Production Architecture in the Context of the Asia Pacific Region
The fourth session will revisit the Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM) for countries in the Asia-Pacific region, with a focus on integrating new data sources—such as big data, geospatial data, and citizen-generated data—into official statistics. By aligning production processes with global standards, participants will gain insights into how to enhance the fitness-for-purpose, adaptability, and resilience of national statistical systems in an increasingly complex data landscape. The session will also address the connection between quality assurance frameworks and the effective application of the GSBPM, tying these elements together to support modern, robust statistical production.
Agenda - Day 1 Monday, 14 July 2025 Agenda - Day 2 Agenda - Day 3
Registration
Opening Ceremony
- UN RC
- SIAP
- UNSD
- MoSPI
Coffee / Tea Break / Group Photograph
Session 1
Data Governance and Stewardship in the Changing National Data Ecosystem
Moderator: MoSPI
- UNSD: Relevance of Official Statistics Amidst Fast-Changing Data Ecosystems/Governance and Coordination of National Statistical Systems
- MoSPI: National Strategy for the Development of Statistics
- Maldives
- Mongolia
- Thailand
- UNSD: Governance beyond the NSS: Approaches to Data Stewardship and its Key Functions
Questions and answers
Lunch Break
Session 2
Modernizing Legislation for Official Statistics to Remain Relevant
Moderator: Maldives
- UNSD: Statistical Legislation in a Changing Data Landscape
- Fiji
- Lao, PDR
- Sri Lanka
Questions and answers
Coffee / Tea Break
Roundtable discussion
Initiatives to Modernize Statistical Legislation in Participating Countries
End of Day