The Samoa Bureau of Statistics (SBS), in collaboration with the World Bank and the United Nations (UN), has initiated a workshop on “Official Statistics and Related Legislation in Times of Change.” This workshop brings together key stakeholders involved in strategic decision-making and statistical production to discuss upcoming amendments to statistical legislation.
The workshop aims to improve Samoaโs statistical infrastructure by incorporating innovative data sources from various government agencies. These amendments are designed to address challenges such as disruptions caused by COVID-19, difficulties in accessing administrative data, and the lengthy data collection process.
The proposed changes to the Statistics Act focus on strengthening governance, building trust in official statistics, leveraging new data sources, expanding confidentiality provisions, and incorporating the National ID into the Bureauโs functions. These efforts are crucial for supporting Samoa’s sustainable growth and informed decision-making.
The Government of Samoa appreciates the continued support from the World Bank and the UN in achieving the goals of the Samoa Statistics Strategy for 2022-2026, which envisions an efficient statistical system that provides trusted and valuable data for policymaking. The workshop is expected to lead to productive discussions and valuable outcomes for the countryโs statistical development.
