By Belize Live News Staff: Belize is currently hosting the first round of CARICOM’s 4th High-Level Advocacy Forum on Statistics, taking place in Placencia. This event marks Belize’s return as host since 2011, bringing together a diverse array of stakeholders in the field of statistics. Attendees include policymakers, data users, national statistics leaders, and representatives from international organizations across CARICOM member states. The forum aims to address critical issues in data collection, resource allocation, and statistical innovation to improve decision-making and policy formulation across the region.
Diana Castillo, Director of the General Statistical Institute of Belize, emphasized the importance of strengthening statistical partnerships and capacities across the Caribbean. “Today’s high-level advocacy forum, as well as this week’s various meetings, is a unique opportunity to bring together an array of high-level government officials, regional experts, and heads of statistical offices with a view to strengthening the partnerships that are critical to the development of statistics in our region,” Castillo stated. She highlighted that such partnerships are essential for harnessing the power of data to improve quality of life, particularly among the region’s most vulnerable populations, where accurate data can guide impactful policy decisions.
Prime Minister John Briceño also spoke at the opening ceremony, underscoring the growing demand for data and the immense challenges facing Caribbean nations in collecting, processing, and analyzing statistical information. “Data is widely recognized as one of the most valuable resources available to our countries,” Briceño stated. He pointed out the increasing pressure on already under-resourced national statistical offices to provide timely and accurate data in response to global crises. Briceño commended the resilience of data systems worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that despite reduced budgets and workforce constraints, these systems adapted quickly to meet unprecedented demands.
The forum, which will run until November 8, provides a platform for discussing innovative strategies to address the resource and staffing challenges faced by statistical agencies in the Caribbean. As regional leaders and experts convene in Placencia, the event underscores the commitment of CARICOM nations to prioritize statistical strengthening as a foundation for sustainable development.
