At the recent 2-day international conference on Data Governance for Efficient Decision-Making Policies, that brought together over 100 experts in statistical data and demography in Chisinau, H.E. Rahul Shrivastava, Ambassador of India to Romania, Albania and Moldova emphasized that “Moldova is the only country in Europe where India supports data governance through an efficient partnership between the India-UN Development Partnership Fund and UNFPA".
The partnership commenced in 2019 with the explicit objective of enhancing the availability of administrative data and leveraging the largest demographic survey, "Generations and Gender," realized in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, also contributing to the tracking of progress towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) implementation.
The project addresses pivotal challenges within Moldova's data system and equips it with the necessary tools to monitor the country's demographic shifts. This shift entails moving away from traditional data collection methods (such as paper-based surveys and solely field data collection) to more contemporary approaches used by both developing and developed nations. This involves utilizing administrative data alongside other data types (private, spatial, big data, etc.) and conducting targeted longitudinal studies. Such endeavors aim to gain deeper insights into the underlying factors driving demographic changes within the country.
Supported by the UNFPA, the India-UN Development Partnership, and the UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) this initiative has bolstered the capacities of the National Bureau of Statistics of Moldova. It has facilitated the development of requisite tools and the implementation of technologies to establish an administrative data exchange platform. Additionally, it has organized various exchange programs with Indian counterparts to foster knowledge sharing and enhance data governance not only within Moldova but also across other countries in the Global South.
By enhancing Moldova's data and statistical systems, the Government is now better equipped with the tools and evidence necessary to analyze demographic trends.
This enables the formulation of public policies that precisely target the needs of the population, thereby bolstering the country's demographic resilience.
"Good data governance is widely practiced in India and has proven to be effective and beneficial. By utilizing quality data, the government can reach the poorest segments of society. Additionally, in the realm of digital transformation, we witness the advantages of data governance. We are currently amidst a digital revolution in India. Every month, we conduct 6 million transactions, representing 46% of global digital transactions, all thanks to effective data governance. When we leverage data effectively, demographic challenges can be transformed into demographic dividends. This transformation has been evident in India, a strong partner of Moldova, and we are eager to share our experiences," stated H.E. Rahul Shrivastava, Ambassador of India to Romania, Albania, and Moldova.
