The ceremony on signing the Memorandum of Understanding on International Statistical Training and Cooperation Between Chinese Government and United Nations was held in Beijing on Jan. 12. Mr. Ma Jiantang, Commissioner of NBS, and Paul Cheung, Director of UNSD, respectively on behalf of Government of the People’s Republic of China and the United Nations, signed a memorandum of understanding on international statistical training and cooperation, and gave important addresses as well. Mr. Luo Lan, Member of Party Group and Discipline Inspection Group Leader of NBS, presided the ceremony.
Mr. Ma pointed out that China International Statistical Training Center/ United Nations Statistical Cooperation center (International Statistical Training Center, ISTC) is a training institute cooperatively founded by Chinese Government and UN, also it is a significant achievement through bilateral cooperation. It is significant on enhancing statistical capacities in the global and developing counties, improving international statistical development, and promoting South-South cooperation. The Memorandum made clear definition on series of important issues of ISTC, such as objectives, purposes, functions, activities, operational patterns, resource inputs and so on.
Mr. Ma expressed that Chinese Government would actively implement the concerning issues according to the Memorandum, strengthen cooperation with UN and give further supports to ISTC to ensure its well functioning.
Mr. Paul Cheung said that ISTC would take a significant role in world statistical system, because it was a practical case that China contributed to the world statistical works. It was believed to be an active example, and would promote followings by other countries, and make great progress for statistical works. In view of UN, China havetaken more and more important role in the international stage, and China have already taken a great step now.
The ceremony on the foundation of ISTC Academic Committee was held after the ending of signing. Mr. Ma Jiantang and Paul Cheung awarded appointment certificates to 11 members. Mr. Xian Zude, Chief Statistician of NBS, acted as the Director of the Committee, the rest 10 members are heads of departments of NBS and statistical professors from major universities. Mr. Xian Zude presided the first meeting of ISTC Academic Committee.
