As the United Nations marks its seventy-fifth anniversary and the world deploys data to face a common challenge, let us use World Statistics Day to spotlight the role of statistics in advancing sustainable development for all

In a letter on 13 August to the global statistical community, I shared my excitement in inviting you to initiate your special celebrations for World Statistics Day 2020 occurring on 20 October 2020.

Data – the single word that defines our age; data have assumed a new importance for today’s economies, societies and politics. Data, the ubiquitous globalized commodity, easily shared, duplicated and traded, are the glue that binds and drives the digital economy, the cloud, blockchain, the internet-of-things, and even our politics. They offer promise but also peril – they are a tool for liberation, but also potentially a weapon for exploitation. Data transcend borders, challenge national sovereignty and are increasingly being thought of as a new form of capital.

World Statistics Day on 20 October happens when public trust in data and statistics is being weakened by the speed and reach of misinformation and disinformation. Restoring trust in data and statistics, whether produced by national statistical offices or by other actors, should be an utmost priority not just for statisticians or data scientists but also for human rights advocates.

World Statistics Day 2020 Campaign

The celebration of World Statistics Day 2020 is a global collaborative endeavour, organized under the guidance of the United Nations Statistical Commission.

The Statistics Division of the United Nations Department of Economic Affairs is the global coordinator of the campaign, defining global key messages and making available outreach resources to countries and other partners through this website.

National statistical offices act as national coordinators, translating promotional materials into national languages and organizing events and outreach efforts at national and subnational levels.

International organizations play a key role in amplifying campaigns at the global and regional levels and organizing their own events.

Please keep us posted at statistics@un.org about any promotional material that you created using the logos. We are happy to help you promote your World Statistics Day 2020 event.

ADDITIONAL TRANSLATIONS

Interested entities are encouraged to translate the text into local languages, provided that they will state clearly that they are solely responsible for the accuracy of the translation. Send your translation to statistics@un.org and we will add the new language version to this page.

Governments, intergovernmental organizations, not-for-profit organizations, and private sector entities may use the logos in accordance with the liability waiver and the graphic standards provided in the links below. Please send inquiries and the signed waiver of liability form to: