UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Message For World Statics Day

World Statistics Day is an occasion marked once every five years to spotlight the
vital role of statistics in helping to address the challenges of our time.
The Sustainable Development Goals have helped transform statistical systems and
increase the availability of data. In times of crisis, such as the COVID-19
pandemic, statistical systems proved their resilience, delivering the data that
guided life-saving decisions as well as social and economic recovery.
As we confront increasingly inter-connected global challenges – from climate
change to rising inequalities – timely, accurate, disaggregated, and independent
data has never been more essential.
This year’s observance reaffirms our commitment to the Fundamental Principles of
Official Statistics: impartiality, professionalism, and commitment to scientific
principles and professional ethics. Citizens everywhere deserve trustworthy data to
inform public policy and strengthen accountability.
Let us use this day to champion the power of data in advancing sustainable
development for all.