Fakhoury stresses need for institutionalised statistics

AMMAN — Planning and International Cooperation Minister Imad Fakhoury on Sunday stressed the importance of institutionalising statistical data for the processes of decision and policy making.

Chairing an advisory committee of statistics meeting to review progress on preparing the national strategy to develop the statistical system in Jordan 2018-2022, Fakhoury highlighted the need for raising awareness on using statistical data, noting the right of access to facts and statistical data, the Jordan News Agency. Petra, reported.

The minister said that the strategy should take into consideration the statistical requirements of the Development Agenda 2030 and realising the goals of sustainable development, noting that 50 per cent of the sustainable development indicators are not covered by statistics.

The planning minister underscored the shift to using up-to-date technology in statistics and switching to statistics on the governorates level as part of the decentralisation efforts.

Fakhoury further highlighted the importance of transparency, professionalism, and independence of the statistical system.

He praised the development achieved by the Department of Statistics (DoS), especially in the field of e-transformation in conducting surveys, censuses, and geographical information.

The strategy has focused on decentralisation in statistics, said Fakhoury, drawing on the executive plans the ministry and its partners have prepared to develop their statistics, according to Petra.

For his part, DoS Director General Qasim Zu'bi outlined the procedures and progress of preparing the strategy.

The committee undertakes the advisory functions related to reviewing the department’s annual plans and submitting proposals that contribute to the strategic planning and policies related to the statistical action in the Kingdom.