The United Nations General-Assembly established World Statistics Day by the Resolution A/RES/64/267 . Recognizing the long history of official statistics and the facilitating role played by the United Nations since the creation in 1947 of the Statistical Commission, which was tasked with promoting the development of national statistics and improving their comparability, coordinating the statistical work of specialized agencies, developing central statistical services of the Secretariat, advising the organs of the United Nations on general questions relating to the collection, analysis and dissemination of statistical information and promoting the improvement of statistics and statistical methods generally, The United Nations Statistical Commission proposed celebrating 20 October 2010 as World Statistics Day At its 41st Session in February 2010, by the Decision 41/109.

FORUM: World Statistics Day 2020 - "Connecting the world with data we can trust".

The third World Statistics Day will be celebrated around the globe on 20 October 2020 with the theme “Connecting the world with data we can trust.” This theme reflects the importance of trust, authoritative data, innovation and the public good in national statistical systems. As structural UN reforms consolidate, we are focused on building the data, digital, technology and innovation capabilities that the UN needs to succeed in the 21st century. The Secretary General’s “Data Strategy for Action by Everyone, Everywhere” is our agenda for the data-driven transformation. Data permeates all aspects of our work, and its power—harnessed responsibly—is critical to the global agendas we serve. The UN family’s footprint, expertise and connectedness create unique opportunities to advance global “data action” with insight, impact and integrity. To help unlock more potential, 50 UN entities jointly designed this Strategy as a comprehensive playbook for data-driven change based on global best practice.

Statement by the U.N. Secretary-General on World Statistics Day 2020, October 20th.

I wish everyone around the world a data-rich World Statistics Day!

Statistics are fundamental for evidence-based policymaking. Current, reliable, timely and trusted data help us to understand the changing world in which we live and to drive the transformations that are needed, leaving no one behind. The coronavirus pandemic has further elevated the importance of data to save lives and recover better.

Our recently launched “Data Strategy for Action by Everyone, Everywhere” is an agenda for data-driven efforts to provide greater insight, impact and integrity as we strive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

This Day is an opportunity to recognize the statisticians worldwide who work to provide reliable data, adhere to the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics, and build more resilient and insightful data ecosystems.

On World Statistics Day, let us commit to invest in and support the vital role of data in meeting the challenges of our time.

Thank you.

U.N. Secretary-General.

CAMPAIGN: National statistical offices act as national coordinators, translating promotional materials into national languages and organizing events and outreach efforts at national and subnational levels. International organizations play a key role in amplifying campaigns at the global and regional levels and organizing their own events. You can register your event at worldstatisticsday.org. The Statistics Division of the United Nations Department of Economic Affairs

EVENTS: UN World Data Forum (19-21 October 2020):

The celebration of World Statistics Day 2020 is a global collaborative endeavour, organized under the guidance of the United Nations Statistical Commission. The UN World Data Forum brings together data and statistical experts and users from governments, civil society, the private sector, donor and philanthropic bodies, international and regional agencies, the geospatial community, the media, academia and professional bodies to spur data innovation, mobilize high-level political and financial support for data, and build a pathway to better data for sustainable development. The High-level Group for Partnership, Coordination and Capacity-Building for Statistics for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development leads the organization of the UN World Data Forum, under the guidance of the United Nations Statistical Commission and in close consultation with Member States, international partners and other stakeholders.

Previous Observances

Acknowledging that the production of reliable, timely statistics and indicators of countries’ progress is indispensable for informed policy decisions and monitoring implementation of the Millennium Development Goals, the General Assembly adopted on 3 June 2010 resolution 64/267, which officially designated 20 October 2010 as the first ever World Statistics Day under the general theme “Celebrating the many achievements of official statistics.”

In 2015, with resolution 96/282, the General Assembly decided to designate 20 October 2015 as the second World Statistics Day under the general theme “Better data, better lives,” as well as to celebrate World Statistics Day every five years on 20 October.