Harnessing financial and technical resources in support of the monitoring of the millennium development goals in African countries: opening remarks by Mr. Abdoulie Janneh United Nations Under Secretary General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa 18 January 2010 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

This opening remarks by Mr. Abdoulie Janneh United Nations Under Secretary General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa at the second meeting of the statistical commission for Africa. Mr. Janneh, on his remarks highlighted that, they meet under another equally important theme: “Harnessing Financial and Technical Resources in Support of the Monitoring of the Millennium Development Goals in African Countries.” This theme is most appropriate as we are only five years away from the MDG target date. We need a clear picture of where things are in order to appreciate what has been achieved and to undertake remedial measures where required. The African Centre for Statistics has developed a number of census materials specific to the African context. These include the Africa Addendum on the Principles and Recommendations on Population and Housing Censuses, the Handbook on Census Planning, and the Handbook on Census Data Processing. All these manuals were prepared in close collaboration with experts from African countries, and we are happy that their contents have been put to good use. This meeting is taking place following a series of events aimed at improving the support by partners to the statistical development of our continent.