United Nations Development Programme Jamaica

The Statistical Institute of Jamaica with support from UNDP is leading the way in creating a high quality,neutral and coherent National Statistical System to ensure a standardized approach to the collection, storage, analysis and dissemination of  vital information for the design of effective policies.

" Good data, reliable data and sound analyses are a fundamental requirement of good governance and sustainable development, and creates the basis for sound planning, policy formulation and recalibration as well as sound decision-making. " said Minh Pham, UNDP Resident Representative speaking at the public sector consultation held on February 15-16, 2011.

At present time Jamaica does not have a coherent National Statistical System (NSS), as there is a range of Statistical information compiled by a number of different government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), with potential gaps and duplication. The UNDP Poverty Reduction portfolio is supporting the  project which is a national response to the broad consensus need for creating a coordinated approach to the production of national statistics to guarantee consistency, efficiency, transparency and compatibility with international standards and among national agencies.

The two days consultation held on 15-16 February, 2011 at the Wyndham Hotel in Kingston aimed to develop a plan for a NSS in Jamaica. Participants identified priority issues in data production and use, including the quality, institutional and capacity building components, as a first step in the establishment of a coordinated National Statistical System. The programme included thematic work group discussions and several presentations focusing on national, regional and international statistics framework. The workshop permitted knowledge and experience sharing on best practices and trends, the identification of useful relationships between the respective MDAs and the collection of precious recommendations for further actions.

Opening remarks were madeon behalf of STATIN by Ms. Day-Dawn Simon, Director, Research, Design & Evaluation and Mrs. Annette McKenzie, Deputy Director General. Remarks were also brought by Mr.Minh Pham, Resident Representative of UNDP. Keynote speaker was Dr Gene Leon, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Senior Resident Representative. Detailed presentations were made by Ms. Sonia Jackson, STATIN Director General; Dr.Philomen Harrison, Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Programme Manager-StatisticsDivision; Mr. Gérard Chenais, Paris21 Secretariat, Senior Statistics Advisor; Mr. Richard Lumdsen, Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) Programme Manager, Plan Development Unit ; Mrs. Janet Martin, STATIN, Manager, Environment Statistics Unit; Dr. Derrick Deslandes, Ministryof Agriculture, Marketing Consultant; Ms. Donneth Edmondson, Director, JamStats Secretariat and Mr. Howard Hamilton, STATIN Director, Information and Technology Division.

Photos/Videos

Please find more information on:

"Support for the Development of aNational Statistics System" Project

"Support for the Development of National Statistics System" Project's Website

Statistical Institute of  Jamaica (STATIN)

CARICOM Press Release