2025 WORLD STATISTICS DAY CELEBRATIONS AND LAUNCH OF THE POVERTY REPORTS [20th October 2025]

SAMOA, October 20 - KEYNOTE by the Hon. Minister of Statistics, Moefaauouo Julius Ah Kui Tafunai

Lau susuga Reverend Ma’auga Motu,

Afioga, Honorable Deputy Prime Minister(s),

Afioga Honorable Ministers of Cabinet,

Associate Ministers,

Members of the Diplomatic Core,

Heads of Government Ministers and Corporations,

Members of the Business Community,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

TALOFA LAVA, FAAMALO LE SOIFUA.

It is my great pleasure to give the keynote address for this very important occasion, to commemorate and celebrate the 2025 World Statistics Day.

As we are all well aware, statistical information as a public good has been and will always be key to any successful development of policy and planning across all aspects of governance. Its significant role in providing evidence-based decision making, on all levels of development cannot be understated.

Today’s occasion marks the fourth celebration of the World Statistics Day, since the first event on the 20th October 2010. The theme for today is “Driving change with quality statistics for everyone”. It highlights the vital role of quality and trusted data and statistics in navigating today’s complex environment. High-quality statistics empower citizens, policymakers, business and the community to make informed decisions, and shining light on challenges that might otherwise remain unseen, while supporting the Government’s mission to leave no one behind.

In today’s world, high-quality statistics are more important than ever before. Statistics are more than numbers – they are the foundation for informed decisions, effective policy, and sustainable development. Therefore, quality data and statistics must be accessible to everyone, and not just experts, Government and institutions. It is our belief that when quality and reliable data reach communities in every segment of the society, they empower informed decisions at all levels.

Today’s program showcase how statistical systems are developing to meet today’s challenges. We have different stalls outside showcasing different types of statistics by domain. A display of new digital system and infrastructures that fosters and facilitates the collection, compilation, analysis and dissemination of statistics, including the development of our Samoa National Identification. Furthermore, today’s event is also intended to foster strong collaboration amongst stakeholders and inspire the next generation of statistics and data professionals.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Statistics has been one of the Samoan government’s priorities over many years, and will continue to do so in the future. The Government, in partnership with development partners and international agencies, invested a great deal in the development of statistics, and has been part of its reform program agenda for the past years. As a result, Samoa has made significant progress over the years and performs comparatively well in terms of the production and dissemination of social, economic, monetary, environment and sector statistics. Samoa is considered one of the leaders in the Asia-Pacific Region in promoting and developing statistical capacity, adopting new methods, compliance with international standards, all while keeping developments within the Samoan context.

This is evident in Samoa’s compliance to the Enhanced General Data Dissemination Standard, a data quality assessment framework monitored by the International Monetary Fund and other international agencies, and the successful completion of Samoa’s 3rd Voluntary National Review report for the SDG 2030, marking a few important milestones in its journey of development.

On the domestic front, statistics have been made available on a timely basis, on various platforms including social media, and on different subject matters ranging from social, economic, monetary, environment as well as sector statistics. These have been key in the development of policies and plans, as well as monitoring progress made on development projects at the national and sector levels.

However, in any phase of development, there are always challenges that tend to hamper progress, and Samoa is not immune to these. The travel and SOE restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic imposed significant challenges on socio-economic developments in our country, with the economic hardships of that time underscoring a greater need for social protection.

As a result, there was huge pressure on statistical methods and procedures, the statistics and ICT infrastructures, and subsequently, the institutional arrangements and organizational structure in which the Bureau and the statistical system operate. This was on top of the increasing demand on indicators and the greater need for more dis-aggregated statistics imposed by the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, as well as the increased importance of the need for good governance, transparency and accountability.

All these challenges underpin the drive to improve relevance, data quality, reliability and timeliness of statistics for decision making. The challenge was enormous and have exceeded the production capacity of the statistical system.

Therefore, as we celebrate the many achievements we made over the years in statistics development, today, let us also be reminded that uncertainties and risks remain to be in the horizon. In that regard, we should be alert and cooperate in building a statistical system that provides quality and trusted statistics, to inform policy and decision making for the benefit of all citizens of Samoa.

As Minister for Statistics, I would like to acknowledge the continuous support from all our donor partners, who have actively been part of the statistical developments in one way or another. We look forward to working with you all in the future, in developing a stronger and more resilient statistical system, that provides trusted and valued statistics as foundation for evidence policy and decision making for the benefit of Samoa.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me congratulate you all for your many roles and contributions to statistics development in Samoa. I also extend a word of thanks to the Statistics Advisory Board for their guidance and support in this very important work.

Last but not least, I acknowledge with great appreciation the staff and management of the Bureau of Statistics for their commitment and dedication in the coordination of the statistical system, as well as leading the statistics production and dissemination in Samoa. You have set the data standards in our region and may you all continue to rise above any challenges that may come your way. May God guide and strengthen your passion and commitment in developing resilient statistical systems as part of Samoa’s economic journey.

Finally, let me re-emphasize the importance of the theme for today’s World Statistics Day that is “Driving change with quality statistics for everyone”. I encourage everyone to be part of the change in the development of our economy and society, through quality and trusted data as the foundation of effective decision and policy making. With that I extend to you all a “Happy World Statistics Day”.

Soifua ma ia manuia.

October 27, 2025