General information paper

Abstract

The Conference originated in a proposal discussed by the Economic Commission for Africa at its first session in December 1958. In the memorandum on Programme of Work and Priorities, the Executive Secretary suggested that all countries and territories in Africa should participate in a programme of statistical development to bring them to a step where economic and social problems and programmes can be handled with fuller knowledge of the basic quantities involved. A procedure for initiating a joint effort of statistical development, referred to as the Statistical Survey of Africa, was also outlined in an annex attached to this paper.