HLG-PCCB

United Nations World Data Forum Programme Committee 2025-26: Call for Applications from data and statistics communities

Background

The United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) is pleased to announce the opening of the call for the establishment of the Programme Committee for the next UN World Data Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between 9 and 12 November 2026. The Programme Committee will be established and operate in accordance with its established Terms of Reference and drawn from a range of expertise: governments, civil society and non-governmental organisations, the private sector, donor and philanthropic foundations, international and regional agencies, national geospatial information authorities, the media, academia and professional organisations, and other communities with an interest in data and statistics.

The High-level Group for Partnership, Coordination and Capacity-Building for statistics for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (HLG-PCCB) has decided to launch an open call for expressions of interest from communities with experience in data and statistics for sustainable development to become members of the Programme Committee. This is a unique opportunity to contribute directly to a global event with more than 20,000 interested stakeholders who are focused on the role of data and statistics in the achievement of sustainable development. The Programme Committee reports its progress to the HLG-PCCB.

UNSD provides the secretariat support to the Programme Committee.


Roles and Responsibilities

Members of the Programme Committee will:

  • Actively participate in monthly one-hour virtual meetings of the Programme Committee by reviewing documents ahead of meetings and taking part in planning discussions during meetings.
  • Collaborate with other Programme Committee members in the design of a programme which showcases innovative perspectives, inclusive approaches and the technological advantages or ideas of using data and statistics to achieve sustainable development.
  • Respect the decisions made by the co-chairs of the HLG-PCCB and the co-chairs of the Programme Committee.
  • Contribute to drafting the thematic areas, topic lists, organizing the high-level plenary sessions, including speakers, and review and shortlist proposals for the parallel programme as outlined in the Programme Committee's Terms of Reference as well as other potential endeavors such webinars, blogs, etc. to publicise the Forum;
  • Be able to commit time to participate in the Forum which will be held in person in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between 9 and 12 November 2026 and contribute to other Programme Committee'’'s activities.
  • Participation in the Programme Committee is pro-bono and on a personal basis. Travel expenses may be reimbursed, subject to the availability of budgetary allocations for the Programme Committee and in accordance with United Nations policies and regulations.


Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must:

  • Be active members of a community (collective groups of individuals, or from relevant organizations 1) actively engaged in issues relevant to data and statistics.
  • Demonstrate experience in understanding and addressing the challenges and opportunities of data and statistics from a user or producer perspective.
  • Have a proven track record of contributions to community initiatives related to data and statistics issues.
  • Have some previous experience with multi-stakeholder processes.
  • Make a time commitment to cover the cycle of preparing the programme, for example 1-2 hours a month outside the programme review period (September - January), 2-3 hours a month during the review period (February - May) and again 1-2 hours a month in the lead up to and including attending the Forum between 9 and 12 November 2026.


Expressions of interest

Interested candidates should submit their application to serve on the Programme Committee via email to dataforum@un.org with a single document attachment of MAXIMUM of 2 pages with the following information:

  1. Statement of motivation (cover letter): explain your motivation for joining the Programme Committee and how your experience aligns with its objectives.
  2. Brief biography (curriculum vitae): State your professional qualifications, areas of expertise, relevant experience, and your service on any relevant boards and committees
  3. Community and network further background (endorsement letter): provide evidence of support from a community or network including the areas of specialization that you cover.


Submission

All interested candidates must submit their expression of interest with a 2-page document to dataforum@un.org with the subject line: "Nominations for the UNWDF 2025-6 Programme Committee" by 16 June 2025 (EDT, midnight)


Nomination Process

The Secretariat will review all applications and present those that meet the eligibility criteria to the co-Chairs of the HLG-PCCB for consideration. In consultation with the membership of the HLG-PCCB, the co-Chairs will conduct a selection process to prioritize a broad range of perspectives, expertise and areas of specialization while ensuring regional, gender, and age diversity.

Please note that only candidates selected for membership in the Programme Committee will be notified directly.

We particularly encourage applications from individuals representing diverse regions, sectors and backgrounds!


1 Such as governments, civil society and non-governmental organisations, the private sector, donor and philanthropic foundations, international and regional agencies, national geospatial information authorities, the media, academia and professional organisations, and other communities with an interest in data and statistics

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