I am pleased to announce that UNCTAD and its partners - the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) - are holding a conference on 20 October 2010 to celebrate World Statistics Day.

Participation

Geneva World Statistics Day will bring together representatives of the Permanent Missions to the United Nations, the Swiss authorities, the Swiss Federal Statistical Office, selected non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academia, media, data users, economists and statisticians.

The intended audience is national and local policymakers, statistical agencies, experts and the general public. The member States of UNCTAD are urged to transmit information on World Statistics Day to the main stakeholders in their countries. It would in turn be appreciated if the names and titles of the participants could be communicated no later than 6 October 2010.

Logistics

The meeting will take place at the United Nations Office at Geneva, Palais des Nations, Room XXVI. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided in the six official languages of the United Nations. Upon arrival, participants are requested, before entering the Palais des Nations, to collect their badges at the United Nations Security Service, Pregny Gate entrance, 14 Avenue de la Paix. The Security Service is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Because of the security measures in force, participants are strongly advised to arrive before 9.30 a.m. in order to complete entry procedures in good time and proceed to the meeting in the E Building (Bâtiment E) of the Palais. Participants are requested to carry a passport or similar national identity card with them. Taxis are not allowed to enter the grounds of the Palais des Nations, and visitors will therefore be dropped off at the entrance gates. Furthermore, luggage may not be brought into the buildings unless the Security Service gives special clearance.

Nominations and enquiries

Nominations and related communications concerning representation at the meeting should be sent to the UNCTAD secretariat, Intergovernmental Support Service, Palais des Nations, CH-1211 Geneva 10; fax: +41 22 917 0214; e mail. meetings@unctad.org.

All other enquiries should be addressed to Ms. Ekaterina Chernova, Development Statistics and Information Branch, Office No. E-10103, UNCTAD, Palais des Nations, 1211 Geneva 10, tel.: +41 22 917 5925, fax: +41 22 917 0048, e-mail. wsd@unctad.org; or Severine Genet, tel.: +41 22 917 2142, e-mail: wsd@unctad.org.

All necessary information and related statistical references can be accessed on the designated website, www.unctad.org/wsd, which will be launched shortly.

(signed)

Supachai Panitchpakdi
Secretary-General of UNCTAD
1 September 2010