(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – India has been elected to the UN Statistical Commission, the highest statistical body of the United Nations, for a four-year term beginning January 1, 2024. India was a member of the UN Statistical Commission last in 2004 and is thus returning after a gap of two decades.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar described this as a recognition of India’s expertise in the field.
“India elected to the highest UN statistical body for a 4-year term beginning on 1 January 2024! Congrats Team @IndiaUNNewYork for coming through so strongly in a competitive election,” EAM Jaishankar tweeted on Wednesday.
“India’s expertise in the field of statistics, diversity & demography has earned it a seat on the UN Statistical Commission,” he added.
The Statistical Commission is the highest body dealing with international statistical activities and is responsible for standards setting in the field of statistics.
Announcing the development, the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in New York said, “The experience of India in the field of official statistics especially with regard to its diversity and demography is immense and will be a value addition to the functioning of the Statistical Commission.”
The mission announced that the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the UN had also elected India as a member of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and the Programme Coordinating Board of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).
“These are important subsidiary bodies of the ECOSOC,” the mission said in a press release.
The Commission on Narcotic Drugs supervises the application of international drug control treaties, while the Programme Coordinating Board of UNAIDS supports and provides strategic direction for an international response to HIV/AIDS.
“The overwhelming support received by India in today’s elections reflects the trust reposed by the international community on India’s expertise in these bodies,” the mission said.
Guided by the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ or ‘The World is One Family’, India will strive to make its due contributions in these and other organs, in the spirit of advancing multilateral solutions to global challenges, Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in New York added.
(India News Network)
