Bangladesh observed International and National Statistics Day 2025 through a high-level multi-stakeholder dialogue on “Quality Statistics and Data for Everyone,” reaffirming the country’s commitment to building a trusted, inclusive, and future-ready statistical system.

Held today at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center, the event brought together policymakers, academics, and development partners. They discussed how quality data can strengthen evidence-based governance aligning with this year’s theme, “Driving Change with Quality Statistics and Data for Everyone”.

Organized by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and the Statistics and Informatics Division (SID), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the dialogue underscored the pivotal role of statistics in shaping public policy, driving innovation, and safeguarding transparency.

Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud, Adviser to the Ministry of Planning, attended as Chief Guest and highlighted the indispensable role of credible statistics. “Statistics are meaningful only when they are accurate, transparent, and accessible, because through quality data, we build public trust and shape informed policies.”

Serving as Guest of Honor, Sonali Dayaratne, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, emphasized, “Reliable, trusted, and inclusive data are the foundation of anticipatory and agile governance, and the driving force of inclusive sustainable development.”

She reiterated UNDP’s long-standing partnership with the Government of Bangladesh adding, “UNDP has been privileged to accompany the Government in its journey toward greater institutional autonomy for BBS strengthening capacity, transparency, and public trust in official data.

Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, Executive Chairman of PPRC, urged a stronger connection between data and decision-making. “Quality data demands quality institutions, governance, leadership, and accessibility so that statistics can truly serve Bangladesh’s policy and private sectors. Our collective mission is to ensure that quality statistics drive quality decisions for Bangladesh’s future.”

Dr. Anisuzzaman Chowdhury, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser (Finance Division), noted “The role of statistics is not to judge whether the glass is half empty or half full; it is simply to show what is in the glass. Statistics should remain neutral leaving room for diverse interpretations and informed decisions.”

Welcoming the participants, Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, Director General of BBS, provided an overview of BBS’s journey, its ongoing modernization efforts, and the challenges ahead.

In his keynote, Kabir Uddin Ahmed, Director at BBS, presented Bangladesh’s progress in statistical modernization and the need to strengthen coordination across national data systems. 

Aleya Akter, Secretary- Statistics and Informatics Division chaired the event and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing the Task Force’s recommendations to enhance the quality, transparency, and accessibility of official statistics.

The dialogue also sported a panel discussion participated by Anowarul Haq, Assistant Resident Representative, UNDP Bangladesh, Professor Dr. Jafar Ahmed Khan, Chairman, Department of Statistics, University of Dhaka and Dr. Syed Shahadat Hossain, President, Bangladesh Statistical Association (BSA) and moderated by Dr. Dipankar Roy, Joint Secretary, Statistics and Informatics Division

During the event, the Independent Task Force on Data Quality and Institutional Reform, led by Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, unveiled its report on “Strengthening the National Statistical Organization (BBS)”. Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud, Honourable Adviser to the Ministry of Planning, officially launched the report and noted that the interim government has already begun implementing several of its recommendations.