Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

President Mori proclaims October 20 as "National Statistics Day"

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): October 19, 2010 - Last week, President Mori declared and proclaimed October 20, 2010, as "National Statistics Day," to be observed throughout the Federation. President Mori urges all citizens to observe this day in ways which promote timely collection, better management, efficient production and effective communication of statistics, and advocate the importance of official statistics and statistical literacy in the FSM.

The United Nations General Assembly designated October 20, 2010, as the first ever "World Statistics Day." Based on this designation, National Statistics Day will be celebrated internationally in approximately 102 different countries. "On this first World Statistics Day I encourage the international community to work with the United Nations to enable all countries to meet their statistical needs, said .Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations.

The UN Statistics Division affirms that statistics are essential for sustainable economic, environmental and social development and that the Division is committed to the advancement of the global statistical system. The Division compiles and disseminates global statistical information, develops standards and norms for statistical activities, and supports countries' efforts to strengthen their national statistical systems. The celebration of the World Statistics Day will acknowledge the service provided by the global statistical system at national and international level, and the Division hopes to help strengthen the awareness and trust of the public in official statistics.

On World Statistics Day, activities at national level will highlight the role of official statistics and the many achievements of the national statistical system. The FSM Office of Statistics, Budget, and Economic Management, Overseas Development Assistance and Compact Management, will be conducting an informative workshop on October 20, 2010, as part of its celebration of this important day.