The President of NSI Assoc. Prof. Atanas Atanasov, PhD took part in the 5th UN World Data Forum, which was held in Medellín, Colombia in the period 12-15 November 2024. The event was organized with the support of the UN Statistics Division and was hosted by the National Administrative Department of Statistics of Colombia (DANE).
Within the framework of 4 plenary sessions, more than 70 thematic panel sessions and interactive workshops, more than 2 000 participants discussed various topics related to the role of data in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Among the subjects covered were innovations for the integration and use of different data sources, improving statistical literacy and the different ways for data dissemination as well as the need for cooperation on national, regional and international level. Representatives from national statistical institutes, civil society organizations, the private sector and academia had the opportunity to share their experiences and exchange ideas and good practices to address the most pressing challenges of our time in relation to data production and dissemination.
In parallel with the event, a meeting of the High-level Group for Partnership, Coordination and Capacity-Building for statistics for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (HLG-PCCB) was held on 12 November, of which Prof. Atanasov is a member and one of the five representatives for the region of North America and Europe. The Partnership Group discussed topics related to this year’s World Data Forum, as well as preliminary planning for the next forum, which will be held in Saudi Arabia in 2026. A draft version of a revised Cape Town Global Action Plan outcome document was presented, which will update the existing 2017 document with twelve new priorities on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The UN World Data Forum is an international platform that aims to spur data innovation, foster collaboration across different sectors and mobilize high-level political and financial support for producing timely and reliable data for sustainable development.
