KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia reinforced its global statistical standing at the 57th session of the United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC57), held from March 3 to 6, 2026, at the UN Headquarters in New York.
Led by Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin, the Malaysian delegation joined nearly 500 participants from 96 countries to shape international statistical standards and tackle emerging data challenges.
Malaysia demonstrated strong engagement, submitting 31 national written statements and delivering nine oral statements covering digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), and statistical modernisation. The commission concentrated on integrating AI and Big Data into national systems, underscoring the importance of reliable benchmarks in an increasingly complex data ecosystem.
“The United Nations Statistical Commission remains the most important global platform for shaping the increasing demand for granular data and the emergence of new data ecosystems driven by Artificial Intelligence and Big Data, strong and resilient national statistical systems are more critical than ever,” Dr. Uzir said.
The country showcased several innovations, including the DOSM GeoHub, the Malaysian Well-being Index (MyWI), the completion of the Agricultural Census 2024, digital platforms such as TaniStats 2.0 and MakGeoPadi, and improvements to the Statistical Business Register and open data ecosystem.
Malaysia’s commitment to statistical transparency and innovation has been recognised with a top global ranking in the Open Data Inventory (ODIN) 2024/2025.
On the sidelines, the Malaysian delegation held strategic discussions with international organisations and national statistical offices to explore collaborations in methodological innovation and capacity building. Delegates also received official DOSM newsletters.
Dr. Uzir was invited by the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) to join a panel discussing the future of agricultural census systems in OIC countries, sharing lessons and strategic insights.
Looking ahead, DOSM is aligning its priorities with the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13) to create a citizen-focused statistical ecosystem offering timely and locally relevant data. This includes the ongoing Economic Census 2026, which runs from January 5 to October 31, 2026, to evaluate national economic performance.
“Through initiatives like OpenDOSM NextGen, the department is transforming the way statistics are produced, analysed and disseminated so that data is closer and more meaningful to Malaysian citizens,” Uzir added.
The Economy Ministry also acknowledged the efforts of Malaysia’s Permanent Representative to the UN and the Consulate General in New York for supporting the country’s participation at the global forum. – March 9, 2026