Attendees at the CARICOM Statistics Meeting opening.
ANGUILLA--Anguilla is hosting the CARICOM Statistics Series of Meetings that run from October 22-30. The meetings have particular significance for Anguilla as it will mark the first time in 50 years that the island will host the Standing Committee of Caribbean Statisticians (SCCS), the flagship meeting of the CARICOM Statistics Series.
Regional statisticians were welcomed for the opening ceremony of the 51st meeting of the Stand-ing Committee of Caribbean Statisticians held at Aurora Anguilla Resort and Golf Club on October 27. The meeting is being held under the theme “Harmonising Data, Strengthening Resilience,” and brings together regional partners to focus on how statistics can support informed decision-making and strengthen resilience across the Caribbean.
The opening ceremony included welcome remarks from Lori-Rae Alleyne-Franklin, Chief Statistician of the Anguilla Statistics Department; remarks from CARICOM Deputy Secretary-General Dr. Arm-strong Alexis; and a keynote address by Kyle Hodge, Minister of Economic Development.
Alleyne-Franklin said that data and institutional knowledge through harmonious methodologies and common statistical standards can create a more complete and reliable picture of the region. This is the value of CARICOM and the strength of regional collaboration, she noted.
Armstrong also underscored the importance of reliable statistics noting that the role data plays in equipping regional leaders to make informed decisions and develop effective policies is important. He stressed that leaders must have access to robust reliable and comparable statistical evidence that re-flects the realities of circumstances.
Hodge highlighted the importance of supporting business development in forming economic policy, noting that data collection remains essential to understanding the business environment.
He said that when systems work together better use can be made of limited resources. He said that the benefits are immediate in agriculture and fisheries, his ministerial portfolio, where reliable infor-mation and production inputs can guide support for producers and strengthen food security.
