A discussion session on Data Integrity for Development: Ensuring Transparency and Accountability in Bangladesh was held on Thursday in Dhaka.

This event was jointly organized by UNDP’s Strengthening Institutions, Policies and Services (SIPS) project and the Daily Prothom Alo, supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), with research support from the Centre on Budget and Policy (CBP) at the University of Dhaka, said a media release issued on Thursday.

Dr. Selim Raihan delivered the keynote speech at the beginning to set the tone for the discussion.

The data of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) is being controlled by the highest level authority of the government and ministries. The reform requires blockage of ways in manipulation of data and giving BBS its own autonomy.  BBS also requires restructuring of its organogram, background checking of employees and hiring good statistician, he said.

The dialogue was represented by non-state agencies, civil society organizations (CSOs), academia, private organizations, public sector and also representatives from UNDP.

The discussion centered on several key concerns, including data manipulation, the effectiveness of current data collection methodologies, and the urgent need for an autonomous National Statistical Office (NSO) and an independent data commission.

The discussion also covered the role of data integrity in national development, examining the consequences of data manipulation on policy decisions; current methodological gaps in data collection and areas of improvement, strategies to build a comprehensive data governance framework that includes an independent data commission.

The experts also talked about media's role in promoting data integrity and public accountability; formulation of concrete steps and proposals to enhance BBS's credibility and trust among citizens.