United Nations sees census as key to evidence-based planning

The National National
Patients waiting at a hospital. The United Nations has explained the need for an updated national census. – Nationalpic by DYLAN MURRAY

United Nations (UN) resident coordinator Richard Howard says the 2024 national census is needed for evidence-based planning and development in the country.
“The census, being the only source of information at the lowest geographical unit, will be the most reliable and efficient source in providing population data needed for local level evidence-based planning, programme development, and project monitoring and evaluation,” he said.
“This population information will also provide the basis for updating population estimates during the non-census years, which are important inputs for annual planning by the public administration, private entities, and other organisations.
“This very crucial nationwide activity will guide our plans by knowing how many people there are in PNG, where they are, how many children, in the working ages, elderly, how many women are in the reproductive ages, among other information, through the conduct of the fifth population census in June.
“The census will generate the latest critical population database which ensures that the Government’s development endeavours are evidence-based, inclusive, equitable, transparent and participatory.”
Howard said the UN and other development partners were ready to assist in this round of census scheduled for June 17-30.
“The UN, being an advocate for timely and quality data, puts critical emphasis on the compliance of statistical processes based on international standards.
“The conduct of the census is very timely to know where the concentration of the population is according to their age and sex and to be able to determine where the most vulnerable of the population are.
“At its core, the census is a commitment to the guiding principles of leaving no one behind, a human rights-based approach to development, gender equality and women’s empowerment, resilience, sustainability and accountability.
“To ensure the success of this enormous task, the cooperation of everyone in the country is crucial,” he said.