The African Development Bank (AfDB) in collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), African Union Commission (AUC) and Institute of National Statistics (INS) of Côte d'Ivoire organized the 8th African Symposium on Statistical Development (ASSD) in Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire, from November 27-29, 2012.
The opening session of the symposium was officiated by Ivorian Prime Minister Kablan Duncan and attended by about 600 participants including Directors of National Statistical Offices (NSOs) from all African countries, Heads of Civil Registration Units, Civil Registration Experts and Vital Statistics Experts, officials from the United Nations Statistics Division, the World Bank, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), UNICEF and the sub-regional organizations. The participants included producers, suppliers, trainers and users of data such as economists, young statisticians, statisticians, researchers, analysts and decision-makers from government entities, the private sector, academia, development partners and international organizations. The theme for the 8th ASSD is: "Standardization of Causes of Death Classification and Statistics in Africa."
The ASSD provides a platform for all African statistical agencies and statisticians to work together and discuss issues relating to statistical development in Africa. The overarching aim is to build the requisite capacity for producing and utilizing the data and information necessary for MDGs monitoring and evidence-based decision-making.
The AfDB delegation to the Symposium is headed by Charles Leyeka Lufumpa, Statistics Department Director; and includes Oliver Chinganya, Division Manager for the Statistical Capacity Building Division; Maurice Mubila, Louis Kouakou, Robert Ngong, Christophe Baradandinya, Marie Berthe Mourot, Lydie Vinou, Gnangbe Zon Pierre, Sorgho Isabelle and Drissi Sidi Hassan, Official Representation of the Bank's Headquarters in Côte d'Ivoire (ROSA).
