Belize’s Statistical System Undergoes Capability Assessment

Various organizations within the National Statistical System (NSS) gathered in Belize City today, to assess their capabilities to provide data. Entities such as the Customs Department, Social Security Board, and Ministry of Health participated in the assessment which was administered by the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB). Director General of the SIB, Diana Castillo, says the assessment forms a part of a project valued at three point four million US dollars, with funding from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

Castillo added that the data gathered from the event will help to guide interventions such as training sessions, to address any identified gaps in the system.

Back in March, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed an agreement with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) geared at strengthening Belize’s national infrastructure and institutional capacity for data and statistical management.  The six point eight million dollar project is dubbed, “Enabling Belize’s Statistical System”.  It is a part of a larger Record of Discussion Arrangement with the Government of Belize, with an implementation schedule from 2024 to 2027.  The stakeholders in this project include six government ministries and five (5) United Nations (UN) agencies with coordination support from the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator.