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MODS and the World Bank Held Data and Statistics Modernization Study Visit for Four African Countries
MODS and the World Bank Held Data and Statistics Modernization Study Visit for Four African Countries - World Bank Designated Korea’s Ministry of Data and Statistics as a Benchmark for Data and Statistics Modernization in AfricaThe Ministry of Data and Statistics of the Republic of Korea, led by Minister Hyungjun Ahn, held a study visit for delegations from the national statistical agencies of four West African countries — Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Guinea, and Togo — from Monday, May 11 to Thursday, May 14 at the Government Complex Daejeon.The study visit had been organized at the request of the World Bank as part of its statistical modernization projects in Africa, with the aim of benchmarking Korea’s statistical system.A total of 19 participants attended the program, including high-level officials from the national statistical agencies of the participating countries and World Bank representatives for West Africa. The delegation included Mr. Thiékoro DOUMBIA, Director General of the national statistical agency of Côte d’Ivoire; Dr. Makan DOUMBOUYA, Director General of the national statistical agency of Guinea; Mr. Jules DAGA, Deputy Director General of the national statistical agency of Benin; and Mr. Kodzo Dodzi HEVI, Director of the national statistical agency of Togo.The program covered a wide range of topics, including national statistical quality management and policy frameworks; the production of economic, social, and population statistics; IT-based systems for efficient data collection, production, and management; and user-oriented statistical services using the Korean Statistical Information Service, KOSIS, and the Statistical Geographic Information Service, SGIS.In addition, MODS shared innovative statistical production methodologies that combine administrative data and big data. The program also introduced cases of statistical production and service enhancement using artificial intelligence, providing insights into future directions for statistical modernization in Africa in the AI era.MODS has continuously supported the modernization of statistics in African countries through official development assistance, ODA, projects with Tunisia and Tanzania.This study visit was particularly meaningful in that it expanded the strengthened strategic economic and diplomatic partnership between Korea and Africa, following the 2024 Korea-Africa Summit, into the field of data and statistics.Mr. Felicien Accrombessy, Senior Economist and Statistician at the World Bank, who accompanied the delegation, stated that “Korea is a role model for the economic and social development of African countries, and MODS, in particular, is a benchmarking partner for statistical modernization projects.”He added that he hoped the cooperation model combining the World Bank’s financial support and MODS’ technical advisory expertise would help advance statistical systems in Africa, and requested Korea’s active participation in the development of statistical systems and the provision of technical advice.Mr. Thiékoro DOUMBIA, Director General of the national statistical agency of Côte d’Ivoire and one of the participants in the study visit, said that “Korea’s use of administrative data and big data, as well as AI-based statistical production, will serve as an important reference for statistical modernization in Africa.” He added that “the expertise of Korea, a global leader in statistics, is expected to become a decisive turning point in advancing the statistical systems of each country.”Minister Hyungjun Ahn stated, “Data and statistics are a core foundation for national policymaking and a strategic asset in the age of artificial intelligence.” He emphasized that “this study visit will serve as a catalyst for the statistical modernization of African countries and, furthermore, for their economic and social development.”He further added, “MODS will continue to expand cooperation with international organizations and national statistical offices, and will fulfill its role as a global leader in promoting the shared development of the international community in the field of data and statistics.”Photos from the Study Visit by the National Statistical Agencies of Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Benin, and Togo
- No.99
- Date2026-05-11
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Korea and Indonesia Signed MOU on Data and Statistics Cooperation on the Occasion of the Korea–Indonesia Summit
Korea and Indonesia Signed MOU on Data and Statistics Cooperation on the Occasion of the Korea–Indonesia Summit - Leaders of Both Countries Shared the View that “Data and Statistics Are Essential Elements of Evidence-Based Policymaking” - Sharing Best Practices in the Use of Big Data and AI to Enhance the Value of Data in Both CountriesThe Ministry of Data and Statistics of the Republic of Korea, led by Minister Hyungjun Ahn, fully revised and signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, on Data and Statistics Cooperation with Statistics Indonesia on April 1, 2026, on the occasion of the Korea–Indonesia Summit. The signed s were exchanged between the two sides.The Ministry of Data and Statistics of the Republic of Korea, led by Minister Hyungjun Ahn, fully revised and signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, on Data and Statistics Cooperation with Statistics Indonesia on April 1, 2026, on the occasion of the Korea–Indonesia Summit. The signed s were exchanged between the two sides.The main areas of cooperation included innovation in data and statistical production, such as the use of administrative data, big data, and artificial intelligence, AI; strengthening the development of official statistics in the fields of economy, population, society, and environment; and mutually exchanging the latest developments through regular bilateral meetings.In their joint statement, the leaders of the two countries shared the view that timely and accurate statistical data were a core asset that enables evidence-based policymaking across all areas of national administration, including the economy, society, and the environment.The MOU, which had been signed on the occasion of the meeting between the two leaders, was highly meaningful in that it reflected the commitment of both countries to advancing a core foundation of national governance. The two countries expected that cooperation in the field of data and statistics would serve as a strong driving force for sustainable development and prosperity.
- No.98
- Date2026-04-02
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Courtesy Meeting with the Head of the FAO Partnership and Liaison Office (PLO) in the Republic of Korea
Director General for Planning and Coordination, Yang Soonpil, held a meeting on Wednesday, February 11, with Mr. Tang Shengyao, Head of the FAO Partnership and Liaison Office (PLO) in the Republic of Korea, to discuss measures for mutual cooperation in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- No.97
- Date2026-02-11
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Ministry of Data and Statistics Holds Bilateral Meeting with the Australian Bureau of Statistics
Ministry of Data and Statistics Holds Bilateral Meeting with the Australian Bureau of Statistics– Korea and Australia Strengthen Statistical Cooperation through Sharing Data Utilization Experiences –The Ministry of Data and Statistics (MODS) of the Republic of Korea (Minister Ahn Hyungjun) holds a bilateral meeting on statistical cooperation with the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in Daejeon from December 4 to December 5, 2025.The Republic of Korea and Australia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on statistical cooperation in December 2024. The current bilateral meeting marks the first high-level engagement following the signing of the MOU. The Australian delegation is led by Dr. David Gruen, Australian Statistician, and includes senior officials such as Mr. Marcel van Kints, head of statistical services.The two sides convened to discuss a wide range of topics, including: • organizational restructuring of MODS (Korea) • statistical registers (Korea) • longitudinal data on individuals and businesses (Australia) • use of administrative and private-sector data for the production of economic statistics (Korea and Australia) • strategies to improve household survey response rates (Korea) • current status and future directions for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in official statistics (Korea).Dr. David Gruen expressed strong interest in Korea’s efforts to strengthen data governance and advance AI-based statistical innovation following the elevation of its statistical authority to the Ministry of Data and Statistics. He noted, “I hope this meeting will serve as an opportunity to build a more innovative statistical ecosystem through cooperation and mutual learning between our two countries.”Minister Ahn Hyungjun stated, “This bilateral meeting is particularly meaningful as it is the first to be held since the signing of the MOU,” adding, “Through close cooperation with the Australian Bureau of Statistics, we look forward to jointly developing best practices in data-driven administration and statistical innovation.”
- No.96
- Date2025-12-05
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The 9th International Symposium on Low Fertility and population Ageing
The 9th Global Symposium on Low Fertility and Ageing 2025 was co-hosted by UNFPA and the Ministry of Data and Statistics of the Republic of Korea on 2–3 December in Seoul.The symposium focused on rethinking old-age dependency and promoting the engagement of older persons in ageing societies.Approximately 70 experts from academia, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector participated.The event aimed to assess global ageing trends and explore effective policy responses through international cooperation.Six thematic sessions addressed diverse topics, including definitions of old-age dependency, National Transfer Accounts (NTA), the role of technology in ageing societies, labour market participation of older persons, and best practices from healthy ageing centres.A special session on ageing policies highlighted national experiences and international cooperation.Since its launch in 2017, the annual symposium series has served as a key platform for formulating evidence-based policies in response to low fertility and population ageing and for strengthening international collaboration.The organizers emphasized the importance of data-driven strategies and global partnershipsto respond proactively to the challenges of rapidly ageing societies.
- No.95
- Date2025-12-05
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2025 MODS of Korea Holds Bilateral Statistics Meeting with the GSO of Vietnam
Ministry of Data and Statistics of Korea Is Holding Bilateral Statistics Cooperation Meeting with the National Statistics Office of Viet Nam Sharing systems for statistical coordination and review, and frameworks for statistical finance and organizational management The Ministry of Data and Statistics of the Republic of Korea, Minister Ahn Hyungjun, is holding a bilateral statistics cooperation meeting with the National Statistics Office (NSO) of Viet Nam in Daejeon from Monday, November 3 to Friday, November 7, 2025.The two institutions have maintained a close cooperative relationship since signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on statistical cooperation in 2002. In addition, Korea has been implementing an Official Development Assistance (ODA) project aimed at strengthening the statistical capacity of Viet Nam from 2022 to 2025.The Vietnamese delegation consists of seven officials, including Mr. Nguyen Thanh Duong, Vice Director General of the National Statistics Office of Viet Nam.At the request of the Vietnamese side, the meeting will focus on sharing experiences and practices in key areas of statistical administration, including an overview of the organizational restructuring of the Ministry of Data and Statistics, systems for fiscal management and asset administration, national statistical coordination and review mechanisms, and local statistics activities.In particular, following recent reforms of central and local government structures in Viet Nam, the GSO has shown strong interest in Korea’s elevation of its former Statistics Korea to the Ministry of Data and Statistics, and has requested detailed information on Korea’s organizational reform process.Mr. Nguyen Thanh Duong, Vice Director General of the GSO, stated, “Bilateral cooperation and the ODA project with the Ministry of Data and Statistics of Korea have greatly contributed to strengthening Viet Nam’s statistical capacity,” adding that “this meeting will be highly beneficial for the advancement of Viet Nam’s statistical system and organizational innovation.”Minister Ahn Hyungjun remarked, “This bilateral meeting is particularly meaningful as it is the first to be held since Korea’s statistical authority was elevated to the Ministry of Data and Statistics,” and added, “I hope that our two countries will continue to work closely together to advance statistical systems and strengthen data governance.”
- No.94
- Date2025-11-03
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2025 1st International Symposium on the Modernization of Labour Statistics Hosted by KOSTAT and ILO
KOSTAT and ILO Are Hosting the 1st International Symposium on the Modernization of Labour Statistics Korea Is Leading Global Dialogue with Experts from 18 Nations to Drive Innovation in Labour StatisticsStatistics Korea (KOSTAT), led by Commissioner Ahn Hyungjun, is hosting the 1st International Symposium on the Modernization of Labour Statistics in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO). The two-day event is taking place from Tuesday, September 23 to Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery.The symposium is bringing together representatives from major international organizations, including the ILO, UNSD, UNESCAP, and Eurostat, alongside labour statistics experts from 18 representative countries* across all continents. Participants are engaging in high-level discussions on innovative strategies to modernize labour force surveys.* Asia-Pacific: Korea, Japan, China, Australia, Vietnam, Singapore Europe: UK, Italy, Finland, Poland, Denmark, Ireland, Türkiye Africa: Botswana South America: Mexico, Brazil, Chile, ColombiaWhy Modernize Labour Statistics?While labour statistics are foundational to crafting national economic and social policies, national statistical offices (NSOs) worldwide are facing growing challenges. Rising operational costs and declining response rates have made it increasingly difficult to maintain data quality. Furthermore, there is a surging demand for more granular data to capture a rapidly changing labour market, characterized by evolving working conditions, rising migrant labor, and the expansion of digital platform employment.Building on a decade of close partnership with the ILO since 2015 to strengthen statistical capacity in the Asia-Pacific, KOSTAT launched this new global forum to expand the scope of cooperation worldwide. This symposium is scheduled to be held biennially, serving as a permanent platform for international dialogue on labour statistics.Key Agenda and SessionsThe symposium features a keynote panel discussion and six thematic sessions. The keynote panel offers deep insights into the challenges and future directions of labour surveys from the diverse perspectives of data producers, users, and international organizations.The six thematic sessions showcase national innovations in: • Improving response rates and data quality • Survey modularization and integration • Integrating survey and administrative data • Data governance • Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) • New communication strategiesTo ensure global accessibility, the event is being live-streamed on YouTube, allowing labour experts worldwide to participate remotely.Future Outlook and Expected ImpactMr. Rafael Diez de Medina, Director of the ILO Department of Statistics, noted: "Our ongoing partnership with KOSTAT is instrumental to the ILO’s efforts in modernizing labour statistics. This symposium will serve as a vital platform for sharing innovative practices across nations."In their congratulatory video messages, Ms. Rachael Beaven, Director of the Statistics Division at UNESCAP, and Ms. Mariana Kotzeva, Director-General of Eurostat, welcomed the launch of this global dialogue.Commissioner Ahn Hyungjun of KOSTAT emphasized: "This symposium marks a pivotal starting point for global cooperation in enhancing labour statistics. KOSTAT remains committed to exploring the future of labour data and finding innovative solutions to meet the demands of our rapidly changing times."The symposium is expected to foster a vibrant exchange of knowledge and accelerate the adoption of innovative survey methodologies. By co-hosting this event with the ILO, KOSTAT aims to solidify Korea’s role as a central hub for international cooperation in the modernization of labour statistics.
- No.93
- Date2025-09-30
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Statistics Korea and the OECD Discuss the Future of Official Statistics in the Age of Artificial Intelligence(AI)
Statistics Korea (Commissioner Hyungjun Ahn), in cooperation with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), will host an international conference titled “KOSTAT-OECD Global Conference on AI for Data, Data for AI: Shaping the Future of Official Statistics” from September 9 (Tuesday) to 10 (Wednesday) at Hotel Naru Seoul – MGallery.The conference will bring together around 100 high-level experts from national statistical offices, the OECD, the United Nations (UN), academia, and the private sector to discuss the opportunities and challenges of the AI era, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into statistical production processes, and the measurement of the economic and social impacts of AI. Participants will explore the diverse potential of AI in the field of official statistics and the evolving role of national statistical offices.Participating speakers and institutions include: the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Estonia, Norway, Mexico, Israel, Mongolia, the OECD, the United Nations, the European Union (EU), the World Bank, Google, and Naver.This conference is particularly significant in that it is an international event led by Statistics Korea in partnership with the OECD that focuses exclusively on statistics and artificial intelligence as its main theme. Through hosting this conference, Statistics Korea aims to establish itself as a leading institution in advancing the AI agenda within the international statistical community and to actively contribute to the implementation of national policy initiatives for a major AI-driven transformation of government, including the development of statistical metadata.In his opening remarks, Commissioner Hyungjun Ahn stated, “Artificial intelligence is fundamentally transforming the way statistics are produced and used, while at the same time posing new challenges for safeguarding the reliability and transparency of official statistics.” He added, “Through this conference, Statistics Korea will take the lead in international cooperation as a frontrunner in AI and will expand its support for developing countries.”
- No.92
- Date2025-09-09
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Statistics Korea Participates in the 22nd Meeting of the OECD Committee on Statistics and Statistical Policy
Statistics Korea announced that it participated in the 22nd Meeting of the OECD Committee on Statistics and Statistical Policy held in Geneva, Switzerland, from Wednesday, June 18 to Thursday, June 19.The meeting is an annual forum that brings together heads of statistical offices from OECD member countries and major international organizations to discuss key statistical data issues and development strategies of importance to the international community.At this year’s meeting, the roles of national statistical offices and their response strategies in the rapidly changing era of artificial intelligence (AI) were discussed as a key agenda item. In addition, active discussions were held on common policy challenges faced by OECD countries, including: the implementation of the 2025 System of National Accounts (SNA); the measurement of household net worth for analyzing intergenerational wealth transfers; and the measurement of child-rearing costs in the context of low fertility and population ageing.Statistics Korea (Head of Delegation: Seungcheol Heo, Director General for Planning and Coordination) presented the strategy of the Republic of Korea for strengthening the reliability of official statistics in response to the rapid diffusion of generative AI, with a particular emphasis on the importance of structuring statistical explanatory materials (metadata). The presentation attracted strong interest from member countries.Mr. Heo, Head of the Delegation, stated, “By participating in this meeting, the Republic of Korea shared its experience in responding swiftly to rapid changes in AI technology, helped lead international discussions, and further strengthened its standing as an advanced country in official statistics.”
- No.91
- Date2025-06-20
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The Republic of Korea Elected for the Seventh Consecutive Term to the Executive Board of the United Nations Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (UNSIAP)
Statistics Korea (Commissioner Hyoung Il Lee) announced that the Republic of Korea was elected for the seventh consecutive term to the Executive Board of the United Nations Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (UNSIAP) at the 81st session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), held on Wednesday, April 23, in Bangkok, Thailand.The UN Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (UNSIAP) was established in 1970 to provide education and training for statistical officials in the Asia-Pacific region and was elevated to an institution under UNESCAP in 1995. The UNSIAP Executive Board consists of nine countries in total, including Japan as an ex officio member.Among 13 countries that stood for election to the UNSIAP Executive Board, the Republic of Korea was elected with the second-highest number of votes to serve for the 2025–2028 term. This achievement reflects Statistics Korea’s continued contributions to strengthening statistical capacity in the Asia-Pacific region, including jointly operating training programs with UNSIAP for approximately 700 officials from around 40 countries through invitation-based training initiatives. The nine member countries include the Republic of Korea, Japan, China, India, the Philippines, Thailand, and others.Commissioner Hyoung Il Lee stated, “As a member of the bureaus of the United Nations and the OECD statistical committees, the Republic of Korea will continue to contribute to strengthening the statistical capacity of countries in the region for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”He further emphasized, “In response to rapid technological changes such as artificial intelligence (AI), we will expand related training programs for national statistical offices in the region and share the Republic of Korea’s experience in new fields such as data science, thereby further strengthening our leading role as an advanced country in official statistics.”
- No.90
- Date2025-04-24
Contact
Director for International Cooperation.
E-mail : modsint@korea.kr
