India was elected to the United Nations Statistical Commission for a four-year term in a highly competitive election in which the country won 46 out of 53 votes. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced the news on Twitter while congratulating Team India at the UN.
Jaishankar’s tweet
“India elected to the UN’s top statistical body for a 4-year term starting 1 January 2024! Congratulations to the @IndiaUNNewYork team for coming out so strongly in a competitive election.” He added that India’s expertise in statistics, diversity and demography earned it a seat on the UN Statistical Commission.
Four candidates ran for two mandates in multi-corner elections. While India got an overwhelming 46 out of 53 votes, rivals South Korea got 23 votes, China 19 and the UAE 15.
A second candidate has yet to be decided between South Korea and China, and the voting process will continue later in the day to elect the remaining member of the Asia-Pacific nations.
While a secret ballot was held for the Asia-Pacific member in which India was elected, Argentina, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Ukraine, the United Republic of Tanzania and the United States of America were elected uncontested.
Current members from the Asia-Pacific states are Japan (2024), Samoa (2024), Kuwait and South Korea, whose terms expire this year.
The UN Statistical Commission is considered the highest body of the global statistical system, bringing together the main statistics from member countries. Established in 1947, the Commission decides on global statistical activities, sets statistical standards, and develops and implements concepts and methods.
The Commission consists of 24 member countries of the United Nations elected by the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations on the basis of equitable geographical distribution.
Five members are from African states, four from Asia and the Pacific, four from Eastern European states, four from Latin American and Caribbean states, and seven members from Western European and other states.
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