India elected to UN Statistical Commission

In a significant victory, India was overwhelmingly elected to the UN Statistical Commission, returning to the world organisation's highest statistical body after a gap of two decades after a “competitive” election.

• India was elected by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) as a member of the UN Statistical Commission.
• ECOSOC elected India and Cambodia for a term of office beginning on April 5, 2023, and expiring on December 31, 2025, to fill outstanding vacancies from the Asia-Pacific States in the Programme Coordinating Board of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

• India, along with South Korea, UAE, and China were in the competition for two seats from the Asia Pacific States category.
• In a highly competitive election for membership to the Statistical Commission, India secured an overwhelming 46 out of 53 votes in a secret ballot.
• In the election, South Korea won over China for the other seat in the Asia Pacific States category.
• As per the Council’s rules of procedure, South Korea was elected for the second seat by drawing lots following two inconclusive rounds of secret-ballot voting.

Significance of India’s membership:

• India was a member of the Statistical Commission last in 2004 and the country is returning to the UN agency after a gap of two decades.
• The experience of India in the field of official statistics especially with regard to its diversity and demography is immense and will be a valuable addition to the functioning of the UN Statistical Commission.

UN Statistical Commission:

• The UN Statistical Commission, established in 1947, is the highest body of the global statistical system bringing together the Chief Statisticians from member states from around the world.
• It is the highest decision-making body for international statistical activities, responsible for setting statistical standards and the development of concepts and methods, including their implementation at the national and international levels.
• The Commission consists of 24 member countries of the United Nations elected by the United Nations Economic and Social Council on the basis of equitable geographical distribution.
• Regional representation:
  • Five members are from African States
  • four from Eastern European States
  • four from Latin American and Caribbean States
  • Seven members from Western European and other States.
• The current members from the Asia-Pacific States are Japan (2024), Samoa (2024) as well as Kuwait and South Korea, whose terms are ending this year.