TLDR: India’s Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), in collaboration with the UN Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (UN SIAP) and the UN Statistics Division (UNSD), has launched a three-day regional workshop in New Delhi. The event, focusing on ‘Data Ethics, Governance, and Quality in a Changing Data Ecosystem,’ brings together 16 Asia-Pacific countries to enhance national statistical systems, particularly in integrating AI and big data while upholding ethical standards and data quality.
New Delhi, India – The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India, has initiated a significant three-day Regional Workshop on ‘Data Ethics, Governance, and Quality in a Changing Data Ecosystem.’ Launched on July 14, 2025, in New Delhi, the workshop is a collaborative effort with the United Nations Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (UN SIAP) and the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD). The event is being hosted at the National Statistical Systems Training Academy (NSSTA), marking a pivotal moment in India’s commitment to regional and global statistical capacity building.
The workshop has convened leading statistical experts from 16 Asia-Pacific nations, including Bhutan, Cambodia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Viet Nam. This diverse participation underscores a collective dedication to fostering ethical, inclusive, and forward-looking data ecosystems across the region. The primary objective is to bolster the capacity of National Statistical Offices (NSOs) to adapt to the rapidly evolving data landscape, which includes the crucial integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and big data, while rigorously ensuring data quality, ethics, and transparency.
This landmark workshop represents the first regional event of its kind organized by NSSTA, MoSPI’s central training institute. It serves as a testament to India’s long-standing excellence in official statistics and its proactive role as a member of the United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC). NSSTA continues to function as a vital knowledge hub, supporting NSOs in building resilient and trustworthy data systems through its extensive training programs and collaborative initiatives.
The inaugural session was presided over by Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, MoSPI, and featured distinguished guests such as Mr. Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator for India; Dr. Shailja Sharma, Director, UN SIAP; Mr. Gabriel Gamez and Mr. Matthias Reister from UNSD; and Shri P.R. Meshram, Director General (Data Governance), MoSPI.
In his keynote address, Dr. Saurabh Garg emphasized the paramount importance of public trust and ethical data use in a post-pandemic world, where digital footprints are expanding at an unprecedented rate. He highlighted MoSPI’s recent initiatives, including efforts in data standards and harmonization. The workshop’s sessions are designed to combine technical lectures, moderated panels, and interactive breakout groups, fostering peer learning and regional cooperation. Discussions also include modernizing national legislation to ensure official statistics remain relevant in an evolving data landscape, supporting the integration of new data sources, and meeting emerging needs while upholding high professional standards.
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India’s leadership in organizing this workshop reaffirms its global standing as a proponent of data integrity, equity, and capacity building. As the data ecosystem continues its rapid evolution, such initiatives are crucial in equipping national institutions with the necessary tools, knowledge, and networks to adapt confidently. The workshop is a significant milestone for MoSPI and NSSTA, setting a future-ready agenda for statistics that aim to serve not only governments but also societies at large, with accountability, inclusivity, and trust at their core.
