Call for data autonomy to ensure transparency

A discussion titled "Data Integrity for Development: Ensuring Transparency and Accountability in Bangladesh" was held in Dhaka on November 21, said a press release.

Organised by UNDP's SIPS project and Prothom Alo, with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and research input from the Centre on Budget and Policy (CBP), University of Dhaka, the event focused on key issues surrounding data governance.

Dr Selim Raihan delivered the keynote, highlighting concerns about government control over Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) data.

He emphasised the need to ensure BBS's autonomy, prevent data manipulation, restructure its organogram, and recruit skilled statisticians.

Participants included representatives from civil society, academia, the private and public sectors, and UNDP.

Discussions addressed the impact of data manipulation on policy, the need for an autonomous National Statistical Office, and establishing an independent data commission.

The dialogue also explored the media's role in fostering transparency, strategies for improving data collection methodologies, and building public trust in BBS.   Experts proposed actionable steps to enhance data governance and reinforce accountability, underscoring the critical role of reliable statistics in national development.