Fourth Global Expert Forum for Producers and Users of Disaster-Related Statistics
28 October 2024 (10:30 a.m.)
Venue CR3
Opening Remark
by
Oliver Chinganya, Director,
African Center for Statistics (ACS)
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
Distinguished Guests,
Distinguished participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is an honour and a privilege to welcome you all, on behalf of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and indeed on my own behalf, to the Fourth Global Expert Forum for Producers and Users of Disaster-Related Statistics. This Forum is held at the side of the Ninth Session of the Statistical Commission for Africa and the Tenth Session of UN-GGIM: Africa, which will kick off on Wednesday, 30 October 2024.
The Global Expert Forum is organized every year by the United Nations and its partners. This time it is hosted by Economic Commission for Africa, organized with our partners, including African Union Commission (AUC), United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN regional commissions: Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP), Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), and Economic Commission for Latin America and Caribbean (ECLAC).
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for joining us today, either in person or virtually, as we come together to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Your presence here signifies a shared commitment to improving our understanding of disaster risks through reliable disaster-related statistics.
As we gather here, our world faces an increasing frequency and intensity of disasters, exacerbated by climate change, urbanization, and other socio-economic factors. These events not only claim lives but also disrupt communities, economies, and the fabric of our societies. In this context, the role of accurate, timely, and relevant disaster-related statistics has never been more critical. It is through these statistics that we can understand the scale of impacts, and we guide effective responses, and develop robust policies that enhance our resilience.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Our main objective for this forum is to bridge the gap between data producers and users, which also aligns and resonates strongly with the core mission of the African Center for Statistics. We must work together to bridge the gap between producers and users of data, ensuring that insights lead not only to better preparedness and response but also to sustainable development.
We recognize that collaboration among various stakeholders: governments, international organizations, academia, civil society, and the private sector is essential for effective disaster risk management. Our gathering here today emphasizes the importance of partnerships that leverage diverse expertise and perspectives, ensuring that the statistics we generate are not only comprehensive but also actionable.
Over the next few days, we will engage in meaningful discussions, share best practices, and explore innovative approaches to improving the production and utilization of disaster-related statistics. We will dive into topics such as data collection methodologies, the integration of geospatial technologies, and the role of community engagement in producing relevant statistics.
We are honoured to have an impressive keynote speakers and panellists here, who will share their insights, to set the scene for the forum. We will also have various presentations and breakout sessions throughout the forum.
I encourage each one of you to actively participate, share your experiences, and contribute your insights that enhance our collective ability to mitigate risks, empower communities, and protect lives. We are here not only as producers and users of data but as change-makers, committed to harnessing the power of statistics to save lives and mitigate sufferings in times of unprecedented crisis.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As we commence this important forum, let us keep in mind the underlying goal of our discussions: to translate data into effective action. Let’s remind also our work is beyond statistics; it is about lives, communities, and the overall resilience of our societies in the face of disasters. By the end of this Forum, we hope to leave with feasible recommendations and actionable strategies with renewed commitments that will help us transform our approach to disaster risk management. Let us work together to strengthen the data ecosystem for disaster risk management globally, and towards building a safer, more resilient world.
Thank you once again for being here and for your dedication to this vital cause. I look forward to our conversations and the collaborative efforts that will emerge from this forum.
Finally, I wish you all a very successful deliberations for the entire week!
Thank you for your attention!