Putrajaya: Malaysia, as the Chair of ASEAN for 2025, has reiterated its commitment to building a more cohesive, inclusive, and data-driven ASEAN, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, DOSM stated Malaysia’s aim to strengthen statistical capacity, harmonize regional indicators, and ensure measurable progress that reflects confidence in regional solidarity, informed governance, and a shared data-driven future. Chief Statistician of Malaysia Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin emphasized the importance of having relevant, reliable, and accurate indicators and data to understand current situations, reflecting not only regional performance but also the lived experiences of the people.
Dr Mohd Uzir, who also serves as the chairman of the 15th ASEAN Community Statistical System Committee (ACSS15), highlighted the crucial role of ASEAN Member States (AMS) and National Statistics Offices (NSOs) as strategic facilitators for evidence-based development. The 8th Working Group Meeting on Sustainable Development Goals Indicators (WGSDGI8) gathered 29 delegates from AMS and the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEANstats) with virtual participation from Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, aiming to finalize agreements on the ASEAN Statistical Indicators-Consolidated Template (ASI-CT) and discuss the ASEAN SDG Indicators 2025 Progress Report.
The meeting, which took place in Putrajaya on August 5 and 6, also reviewed the WGSDGI Multi-Year Plan (MYP) 2026-2030 and updated the Annual Work Plan (AWP) 2026. One of the key agreements was that the ASEAN SDG Indicators 2025 Progress Report is expected to be published in September this year.
The WGSDGI 2026-2030 MYP aligns with the ACSS vision and mission and is based on the ACSS Action Plan 2026-2030. The 2026 AWP will be formulated in line with the 2026-2030 MYP. DOSM added that the ASEAN Helping ASEAN Framework (AHAF) would continue to be strengthened through AMS collaboration in identifying needs and expertise to enhance regional cooperation.
The meeting also addressed updated WGSDGI needs and expertise under AHAF, ASEAN-UN Women cooperation on gender statistics, and progress on a pilot study for Small Area Estimation (SAE). WGSDGI serves as a working platform for AMS, focusing on ensuring the achievement and monitoring of SDG indicators among ASEAN countries.