ACSS15 STRENGTHENS STRATEGIC DIALOGUE BETWEEN ASEAN STATISTICIANS, POLICYMAKERS
MELAKA, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- The 15th ASEAN Community Statistical System Meeting (ACSS15) serves as an important platform to strengthen strategic dialogue between statisticians and policymakers, said Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin.
Speaking at the ACSS15 Open Session, he said the forum enables ASEAN member states to reflect on collective progress, exchange insights and align efforts with ASEAN’s broader development agenda, including the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the Post-2025 Strategic Plan.
"In recent years, the ACSS has evolved into a dynamic engine of regional collaboration. We have strengthened partnerships with ASEAN sectoral bodies, international organisations and development partners to enhance statistical quality, foster innovation and improve interoperability.
"These collaborations have resulted in more efficient data exchange, harmonised methodologies and coordinated capacity-building efforts across member states," he said.
The five-day programme, themed ‘Advancing ASEAN Through Inclusive Data and Innovation’, was launched by Deputy Economy Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib.
Also present was Director of the ASEAN Integration Monitoring Directorate, ASEAN Statistics Division (ASEANStats), ASEAN Secretariat Dr Ahmad Zafarullah Abdul Jalil.
Mohd Uzir highlighted joint initiatives such as the ASEAN-Help-ASEAN Framework and training programmes under the ASEAN Statistics Virtual Academy (ASVA) as clear demonstrations of the region’s commitment to narrowing statistical development gaps.
He said by pooling their expertise and resources, all member states can progress together towards a more harmonised and capable statistical system.
He also noted that this year’s theme reflects ASEAN’s shared aspiration to build a future-ready statistical ecosystem, one that embraces digital transformation, promotes inclusivity and strengthens regional solidarity.
"The ACSS15 provides an important platform to chart our collective direction as we move towards a data-driven, inclusive and resilient ASEAN Community," he said.
He added that the ACSS15 agenda would focus on reviewing outcomes from recent ASEAN Summits and Ministerial Meetings, adopting the ACSS Action Plan 2026-2030, monitoring and evaluating key performance indicators and updating the Annual Work Programmes for 2026 and 2027.
He further emphasised that country presentations, reports from working groups and engagement with global statistical initiatives would highlight progress in data harmonisation, capacity-building and integration of emerging data sources such as big data and geospatial analytics.
"These discussions and initiatives ensure that ASEAN statistics remain timely, comparable and impactful in supporting evidence-based policymaking across the region," he said
-- BERNAMA
