Laos calls for global effort to advance ASEAN statistics

The government has called on development partners and international organisations to support statistical advancements in ASEAN by introducing modern methods to ensure that official statistics provide reliable and timely data, with a focus on tracking progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Minister of Planning and Investment, Dr Phet Phomphiphak.

Minister of Planning and Investment, Dr Phet Phomphiphakat, made the call when addressing the 14th Session of the ASEAN Community Statistical System Committee in Vientiane on Tuesday, attended by heads and deputies of statistical offices from ASEAN Member States, development partners, embassies, ministries and provinces.
Dr Phet said “We acknowledge the vital role of statistical systems in planning, monitoring, and realising strategic objectives. The statistical system is not just a tool, but a cornerstone of our planning and development.”
Laos has made significant progress as a dynamic and growing economy in the ASEAN region, he added. 
“Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, our economy grew at an average annual rate of 7 percent. In 2024, as we recover from the pandemic’s impacts and navigate global financial challenges, we anticipate a growth rate of 4.5 percent, driven by exports such as electricity, expanded services, and the transformative Laos-China railway, which has enhanced tourism and trade. This is not only beneficial for Laos but also for the region.”
“However, we also face challenges. Poverty reduction under the Sustainable Development Goals remains a challenge, despite poverty levels declining from 23 percent in 2015 to 17 percent in 2023.”
"We acknowledge these challenges and are committed to addressing them. We also face currency stability, labour, and skill gap limitations.” 
“Compared to other ASEAN Member States, we face a critical challenge in catching up on economic and social development, including enhancing the capacity of the national statistical system to respond to governmental and international requirements with better statistics and timeliness," Dr Phet said.
The theme of this year’s ASEAN Community Statistical System Committee was “Strengthening Data Integration to Advance Regional Connectivity and Resilience”, highlighting the critical role of collaboration in achieving shared goals.
The minister urged ASEAN statisticians to engage in discussions, share their experiences, embrace innovative approaches, and work together to enhance ability to deliver accurate, timely and comprehensive statistical evidence, saying these collective efforts will enable a more effective response to regional and global challenges.
Laos believes that ASEAN’s achievements are built on mutual trust, support, and cooperation among Member States, guided by the ASEAN Way and its fundamental principles. 
Dr Phet encouraged observers to participate actively, bringing their insight to enhance local data collection and compilation and addressing the need for provincial socio-economic development monitoring.    
The ASEAN Community Statistical System Committee also called for the continuous involvement of international development partners and stakeholders together with the government to ensure the sustainability of the national statistical system.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update November 30, 2024)