CABINET has endorsed the Solomon Islands’ first ever National Statistics Development Strategy (NSDS).

This 20-year project from 2015/16 to 2035 will be coordinated by the National Statistics Office (NSO) to improve the state of the national statistical system (NSS) in the interest of national development.

The NSDS will embark on a sector-wide structural reform process to revitalise and strengthen the NSS and ensure that needed statistics and related information are provided on a regular basis to shape evidenced-based decision making, policy development and planning in Solomon Islands.

 

“The endorsement of the NSDS is a landmark decision for this country,” said Government Statistician, Douglas Kimi.

“The NSDS outlines the goals and actions required to achieve the NSS vision that by 2035 there will be a robust, sustainable, and well-coordinated statistical system providing credible official statistical information for the benefit of Solomon Islands.

 

“This will be incredibly valuable to ministries, policy makers, non-government organisations, academics and civil society

 

“Informing better policy and service delivery means better outcomes for everyone.

 

“The country and people own the NSDS and the NSS as a whole.

 

“Demand for information is greater now than ever before. A vibrant NSS will safeguard the country against being left behind in this fast pace of regional and global economic, and technological change that demands better statistics, data and information as the country progresses into the future.”

 

The five main strategic objectives that will be the focus over the next 20 years include: (i) improving the range and quality of statistic; (ii) improving access to national statistics; (iii) enhancing and coordinating the leadership of the national statistical system; (iv) effectively managing resources; and, (v) improving statistical capability.

 

The changes expected to result from the strategy include enhanced statistical management, government leadership and institutional capacity, staff capacity building, and improved statistical coordination and collaboration across all sectors and with development partners.

 

A number of key national statistical projects to be rolled out as part of the NSDS include the National Agriculture Survey in 2017 and coming 2019 National Population and Housing Census.

 

The NSO plans to officially launch this strategy in early 2017.

 

The NSDS 2015/16 to 2035 document can be requested from the NSO and will also be available for download on the NSO website <http://www.statistics.gov.sb/>.