India Elected To Highest United Nations Statistical Body

In a significant victory, India secured its position as the highest statistical body in United Nations for a four-year term. Reportedly, India has received 46 out of 53 votes, ahead of South Korea (23), China (19) and the UAE (15).

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has extended his wishes taking Twitter, “India elected to the highest UN statistical body for a 4-year term beginning on 1 January 2024! Congrats Team @IndiaUNNewYork for coming through so strongly in a competitive election.” He further added that India’s “expertise in the field of statistics, diversity & demography has earned it a seat on the UN Statistical Commission.”

However, the second candidate is yet to be decided later in the day between South Korea and China. According to the information, During a four-year term beginning on January 1, 2024, India was chosen using a secret ballot mechanism, while Albania, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Ukraine, the United Republic of Tanzania, and the United States of America were chosen by acclamation.

It is noteworthy that India is rejoining the statistical body after a two-decade absence. The vast experience India has in the area of official statistics, particularly in light of its variety and demographics, will be beneficial to the way the Statistical Commission operates.

About United Nations Statistical Commission

The highest authority in the international statistics system, established in 1947, is the United Nations Statistical Commission. It brings together the top statisticians from its member nations worldwide. It is in charge of creating statistical standards, developing concepts and procedures, and ensuring their application on both a national and international scale. It is the highest decision-making organisation for the international statistical activity.

The committee consists of 24 UN member nations that were chosen by the UN Social Council according to a fair geographical distribution. The group includes four members from the Asia-Pacific region, four from Eastern Europe, four from Latin America and the Caribbean, and seven members from Western Europe and other states. There are five members from Africa.

The Asia-Pacific States Japan (2024), Samoa (2024) as well as Kuwait and the Republic of Korea, are current members of the committee, whose terms are coming to an end this year. 

India’s reaction after being elected

India’s permanent mission to the UN in response to the results shows the confidence the world community has in India’s abilities in these institutions. According to the official statement, to advance multilateral solutions to global concerns, India will work to contribute appropriately to these and other committees, guided by the principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “The World is One Family.”

This is not all, India has also been elected as a member of the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS.

India elected as a member to HIV/AIDS programme in UN

Apart from a significant victory after securing the highest position in the United Nations Statistical body, India has also been elected as a member of the HIV/AIDs programme of the United Nations. India will work as a member of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and the Programme Coordinating Board. The board will supervise the application of international drug control treaties, while the Programme Coordinating Board of UNAIDS supports and provide strategic direction for an international response to HIV/AIDS.

Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS

The initiative is a joint venture of the United Nations family which brings together the efforts and resources of 11 UN system organisations to unite the world against AIDS. The programme is coordinated by the UNAIDS Secretariat, headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. 

The political declaration on HIV and AIDS was adopted by the United Nations Assembly in June 2011. United Nations works with a vision of “Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS-related deaths.”