Director General of SNBS receives UNFPA officials in Mogadishu

Mogadishu, (SONNA) — The Somali National Bureau of Statistics (SNBS) was honored to receive a high-level delegation from UNFPA Somalia, led by Resident Representative Mr. Judicaël Elidje and accompanied by Ms. Mariam Alawi, Head of Population and Development Unit. The delegation was welcomed by SNBS Director General, Dr. Abdisalam Mohamed, alongside senior Bureau officials.

Discussions revolved around the strong and enduring partnership between SNBS and UNFPA, which has spanned more than a decade and played a pivotal role in rebuilding Somalia’s national statistical system, strengthening institutional capacity, and advancing production of quality official statistics to support statistics-based policymaking and national development.

SNBS highlighted the significant progress achieved through this collaboration, particularly in population and social statistics, including preparations towards Somalia’s first Population and Housing Census in over five decades. The Bureau also underscored implementation of the recent Socio-Demographic Survey in five districts, conducted in partnership with UNFPA and Gates Foundation, covering approximately 50,000 households, utilizing a combination of traditional survey methods and advanced geospatial technologies to improve population estimation and data coverage, designed for hard-to-reach areas.

Both institutions reaffirmed their keenness to continue strengthening National Statistical System, building statistical capacity at federal and state levels, enhancing data systems and utilization, as well as advancing preparations for Somalia’s participation in the 2030 Round of Population and Housing Censuses.

SNBS extends profound appreciation to UNFPA for its steadfast partnership and technical support towards bolstering Somalia’s statistical development over the years.