ECLAC Caribbean strengthens partnership with Antigua and Barbuda through high-level engagements on data-driven development
Strengthening the use of data and evidence in public policy took centerstage during a high-level visit to Antigua and Barbuda by ECLAC Caribbean Director Miosotis Rivas Peña, as a part of the implementation of the project “Strengthened Capacity to Design and Implement Policies to Enhance Resilience in Caribbean SIDS”.
During her visit, Director Rivas Peña delivered ECLAC Caribbean’s Masterclass on Data and Statistics for Decision-Making for senior government officials and held discussions with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Barbuda Affairs E.P. Chet Greene, reaffirming the longstanding partnership between ECLAC and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda.
The masterclass, hosted in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Barbuda Affairs, brought together senior officials from ministries and agencies responsible for policy, planning, statistics, trade and foreign affairs to explore how official statistics and data can better inform public policy and national development planning.
Opening the session, Minister Greene underscored the strategic importance of strengthening data systems in Antigua and Barbuda, linking the country’s efforts to the legacy of the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4), hosted in St. John’s in 2024.
“We hosted the SIDS conference here three years ago and coming out of the SIDS conference, the ABAS calls for the creation of the data centre. It is a work in progress… the cabinet approved the presentation from ambassador Webson, for the creation of data centre, that centre already has one staff member, things are happening. And the very thought of Antigua and Barbuda becoming the epicentre of data collection and management and data promotion for all SIDS countries must be a very inspiring thought to all nationals of this country.”
Director Rivas Peña said, “We are really happy to put on another masterclass in data and statistics for decision-making. This is probably the fourth we’ve done in recent months, and we know that our Caribbean governments and policy makers have found them very useful. This one in Antigua and Barbuda is particularly good because the country will be presiding over the Caribbean Cooperation and Development Committee, the only intergovernmental body of a geographical nature within ECLAC, and because Antigua is central in the global SIDS setup. Data-strong decisions are particularly important for continued sustainable development of SIDS.”
In her presentation, Director Rivas Peña highlighted the critical role that high-quality, timely and accessible official statistics play in supporting effective governance, sustainable development and resilience-building. She noted that Caribbean SIDS face growing challenges arising from geopolitical uncertainty, climate change and evolving global economic conditions, making data-informed decision-making more important than ever.
“Quality data is fundamental to designing effective public policies, allocating resources efficiently and measuring development progress,” she said. “Strengthening national statistical systems is therefore not simply a technical exercise… it is an investment in better governance and more resilient societies.”
Minister Greene also encouraged participants from government offices to focus on the practical value of statistics and evidence in addressing national challenges.
“I want us to be very practical. I want to embrace the moment and what it represents…. an opportunity for us to come face to face with the importance of data.”
The masterclass also featured presentations by Statchel Edwards, director of the National Bureau of Statistics and Sheldon Mclean, ECLAC Caribbean’s Economic Development Unit, outlining elements of a policy framework for building resilience through data-driven policy formulation.
Participants engaged in an interactive discussion on practical approaches to improving the production, use and coordination of official statistics across government institutions. Discussions also explored priority actions to strengthen Antigua and Barbuda’s national statistical system while advancing implementation of both the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States (ABAS).
The Antigua and Barbuda masterclass builds on similar sessions previously delivered in Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and Suriname, reflecting ECLAC Caribbean’s ongoing commitment to strengthening evidence-based policymaking across the region.
Beyond the masterclass, Director Rivas Peña paid a courtesy call on Minister Greene, where discussions focused on ECLAC’s continued support for Antigua and Barbuda’s sustainable development agenda and opportunities for deepening collaboration in areas including resilience-building, statistics, regional integration and implementation of the ABAS (Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS) framework.
Through initiatives such as the masterclass, ECLAC Caribbean continues to support governments in translating data into action, equipping senior decision-makers with the tools needed to develop evidence-based policies that promote sustainable growth, resilience and inclusive development across the Caribbean.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: ECLAC Helps Antigua and Barbuda Use Data to Make Better Government Decisions.