Dili, Timor-Leste, On 9 February 2018 the General Directorate of Statistics (GDS) of Ministry of Finance, Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste signed 2018 Annual Work plan with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) at the GDS Office. The Director General of GDS, Mr. Elias dos Santos Ferreira thanked UNFPA for its continuous support to the Timor-Leste Government through his Directorate for capacity building and financing. He briefed the new Representative on achievements by his office through UNFPA support over more than ten years of cooperation. The 2018 Work plan will cover the following activities:
- 2015 Census analysis and dissemination across the country
- 2016 DHS dissemination across the country
- Database and Sampling Frame Development
- 2020 Census planning (commencing with questionnaire redesign for enumeration using Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing)
These activities will ensure:
- That data and critical information based on 2015 Census and 2016 DHS analysis is made available. With these data and analytical information, the Government and other development partners will be able to plan more effectively at the national and sub-national levels to the benefit of all people of Timor-Leste
- The capacity to plan and undertake representative sample surveys into the 2020s, and increased ability to undertake research on geographical inequalities in development
- That the quality of data and analysis arising from the 2020 Census will be further improved as compared to earlier Censuses, placing Timor-Leste in a stronger position to plan effectively across the 2020s.
Mr. Ronny Lindstrom, UNFPA Representative, expressed his appreciation for the continued excellent cooperation with GDS. He was also given a tour of the GDS office by UNFPA Census Technical Specialist to directly observe the work place and met GDS staff that work closely with UNFPA.
