India Begins Four-Year Term as UN Statistical Commission Member
Context:
India started its four-year term as a member of the United Nations Statistical Commission. The country had won the election to the global statistics body in April after a gap of nearly two decades.
Relevance:
GS-02 (Government Policies & Interventions, Bilateral Agreements)
Key Highlights:
- India’s Return to UNSC: India commenced its four-year term as a member of the United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC), marking its return after a two-decade absence.
- Unanimous Election in 2023: India was unanimously elected in April 2023 to join the commission, effective from January 1, 2024, playing a pivotal role in shaping statistical standards globally.
- Key Role in Setting Standards: India, among 24 other members, will actively contribute to determining statistical standards, developing concepts and methods, and implementing them at both national and international levels.
- Global Youth Leadership: India’s membership is significant, especially as a global youth leader, coinciding with efforts to establish a comprehensive database under the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Historical Leadership: Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis and V.R. Rao, Indian representatives, chaired the commission in 1954, 1956, and 1976, underlining India’s historical involvement in shaping global statistical frameworks.
- Crucial Agenda – 2025 SNA: India’s participation is crucial in finalizing and implementing the 2025 System of National Accounts (SNA), a vital aspect in updating and aligning national income estimates globally. Issues include measuring economic activities in developing countries and addressing challenges like unpaid work, digitalization, human well-being, and climate change impact.
United Nations Statistical Commission:
- Established in 1947 and headquartered in New York, the United Nations Statistical Commission stands as the paramount body within the global statistical system.
- This commission convenes Chief Statisticians from member states worldwide, fostering collaboration and uniformity in statistical endeavors.
- Serving as the highest decision-making entity for international statistical activities, it bears the responsibility of establishing statistical standards and developing concepts and methods, ensuring their implementation on both national and international fronts.
- As a Functional Commission of the UN Economic and Social Council, the Statistical Commission oversees the operations of the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD).
Key Functions:
- Decision-Making Authority: The commission holds the highest decision-making authority for international statistical endeavors.
- Standard Setting: It is entrusted with setting global statistical standards and advancing methodologies.
- Implementation Oversight: The commission ensures the application of statistical concepts and methods at both national and international levels.
Membership Structure:
The Commission comprises 24 member countries elected by the United Nations Economic and Social Council. The composition adheres to an equitable geographical distribution pattern, including:
- Five members from African States
- 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
The term of office for members is four years. Notably, India, after a hiatus of two decades, is returning to the UN agency, having last been a member of the Statistical Commission in 2004.
