2nd UN World Data Forum: Switzerland supports the ongoing development of the global statistical system and will organise the next World Data Forum jointly with the UN in 2020

Press releases, 24.10.2018

The second UN World Data Forum was held in Dubai from 22 to 24 October 2018. The adopted final document, the Dubai Declaration, focuses on strengthening the global statistics system and on the funding of official statistics. Furthermore, Switzerland has been chosen to host the third edition of the Forum in October 2020. Switzerland was represented in Dubai by a mixed delegation from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).

The event’s main topic was the role of official statistics and data in the implementation and monitoring of the sustainable development goals. This also brought up the subject of the steps necessary to equip national statistical systems for this role. In September 2015, the UN Member States approved the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
 
The Dubai Declaration was submitted to participants from over 100 countries on the last day of the forum. The declaration’s aim is to continue with the implementation of the Cape Town Global Action Plan for Sustainable Development, initiated at the first Forum in early 2017 in South Africa.

The purpose of the action plan is to strengthen the national statistical offices’ systems by making additional financial resources available, amongst other measures. The modernisation of the statistical system is dependent on innovation and the creation of partnerships. Appropriate steps have been defined for these two areas and will guide implementation over the next few years. The Dubai Declaration approved at this year’s forum highlights the importance of official statistics in implementing the action plan and in the regular monitoring of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Switzerland was represented in Dubai by Georges-Simon Ulrich, Director-General of the FSO, Ambassador Thomas Gass, Vice-Director of the SCD and Ambassador Pietro Mona, Ambassador for development, forced displacement and migration.

The FSO and the FDFA have been working in close cooperation since the development of 2030 Agenda. This has enabled Switzerland to take a key role in international discussion concerning the implementation and monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals.

A subcommittee of the UN Statistical Commission has come to a decision concerning the hosts of the next forum. Switzerland has been chosen to host the third World Data Forum in 2020.  It will take place in Bern from 18 to 21 October 2020.


Further information:

Press kit


Address for enquiries:

All questions regarding the Agenda 2030 in general and in the international context:
FDFA Information, tel.: +41 58 462 31 53, email: info@eda.admin.ch

All questions regarding the World Data Forum and the statistical system as such:
FSO Media Service, tel.: +41 58 463 60 13, email: media@bfs.admin.ch

Bertrand Loison, Vice-Director Federal Statistical Office (FSO)
+41 58 463 67 70, e-mail: bertrand.loison@bfs.admin.ch


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Last update 19.07.2023

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