India has reaffirmed its leadership in statistical cooperation by hosting a significant three-day Regional Workshop on “Data Ethics, Governance, and Quality in a Changing Data Ecosystem”, in collaboration with the United Nations Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (UNSIAP) and the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD). The workshop, organized by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), is being held from July 14 to 16, 2025, and has brought together Chief Statisticians and Heads of National Statistical Offices (NSOs) from 16 Asia-Pacific countries, including India, Bhutan, Cambodia, Fiji, Georgia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Viet Nam.

This workshop marks a key milestone in India’s ongoing efforts to deepen regional cooperation in statistical governance and strengthen its role as a thought leader in ethical and quality-driven data systems. As global and national data ecosystems evolve with emerging technologies, the need for robust, ethical, and future-ready statistical institutions has become more critical than ever.

The workshop was inaugurated by Dr Saurabh Garg, Secretary of MoSPI, who in his keynote address stressed the importance of addressing data ethics, the necessity of high-quality data for evidence-based policymaking, and the evolving responsibilities of National Statistical Offices (NSOs) in managing data governance frameworks. Dr Garg also underlined India’s focus on data standards, interoperability, and system modernisation, key priorities to ensure accountability, transparency, and trustworthiness in statistical reporting.

In addition, UN Resident Coordinator in India, Mr. Shombi Sharp, acknowledged India's proactive role in global statistical leadership. He praised India’s pioneering effort as the first country to implement a subnational Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicator framework, which aligns India’s state-level development data with global benchmarks. Mr. Sharp lauded India's achievements in integrating SDG progress with statistical reforms, reinforcing India’s position as a model nation for South-South cooperation in statistical capacity building.

The thematic sessions of the regional workshop are focused on four crucial areas:

1. The evolving role of National Statistical Offices in the era of big data and AI;

2. Modernisation of institutional frameworks to improve agility and responsiveness;

3. Quality assurance and governance in the production and dissemination of official statistics;

4. Adoption of modern statistical production architectures, such as cloud computing, open-source tools, and decentralised data systems.

These sessions are being complemented by interactive breakout discussions and peer-learning activities, allowing participants to share best practices, discuss challenges, and build collaborative frameworks that promote inclusive and effective statistical reforms across the region.

Participants from countries such as Nepal, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka shared case studies on how they are adapting their national statistical systems to meet evolving data demands. From digitising household surveys to embedding AI tools in data collection and analysis, the workshop is functioning as a vibrant platform for regional innovation sharing and cooperation on statistical governance.

India, in this context, has presented its recent initiatives under MoSPI, including the adoption of the National Metadata Framework, state-level dashboard integration, and community outreach programs aimed at enhancing public trust in statistics. These steps reflect the shift from traditional data collection to more integrated, technology-driven, and citizen-centric approaches.

The event also highlights the growing importance of regional partnerships and South-South cooperation. As developing countries face similar data challenges—from under-resourced statistical agencies to rapidly changing technologies—sharing knowledge, tools, and strategies has become a cornerstone for ensuring that statistical systems remain relevant, reliable, and inclusive.

A standout announcement was the plan to conduct a two-day National Capacity Building Workshop from July 17 to 18, 2025, immediately following the regional conference. This event will bring together state and Union Territory-level statistical officials, with the goal of strengthening India’s subnational statistical infrastructure. The focus will be on training, data standardisation, automation tools, and integration of SDG tracking mechanisms at the local level.

This national-level workshop will build upon insights from the regional event, fostering vertical integration from district to central level, enabling seamless data flows, policy alignment, and impact measurement across various levels of governance.

The overall impact of these two consecutive workshops is expected to:

• Improve statistical coordination across ministries and departments;

• Enable evidence-backed policymaking through timely and accurate data;

• Strengthen India’s international reputation as a hub for statistical best practices;

• Encourage the ethical use of data, with clear guidelines on privacy, consent, and usage boundaries.

Furthermore, India’s proactive engagement in such events demonstrates the evolution of MoSPI from a data compilation agency to a national data strategist, one that is shaping how data is governed, shared, and used responsibly.

As India continues to grow economically and technologically, its role in global data governance frameworks will only increase. This workshop signals the country’s readiness to embrace data ethics, interoperability, decentralisation, and capacity building, making it a beacon for Asia-Pacific nations navigating similar transformations.

In a time when data is often termed the new oil, ensuring it is ethical, high-quality, and used for good is paramount. India’s collaboration with UN agencies and fellow nations reaffirms its belief that trusted data ecosystems are not just technical mandates but essential democratic instruments for achieving inclusive, sustainable development.

By hosting this regional initiative, India once again underscores its role as a responsible global leader in shaping the future of official statistics, aligning national priorities with global development frameworks, and ensuring that no state or citizen is left behind in the data revolution.

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