The training course on “Statistics and Sustainable Development for Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)”, is part of the project entitled “Promoting Regional and Economic Cooperation in North East Asia with Particular focus on Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)”. Its main objective is to strengthen the capacity of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)  officials and professionals to make effective contributions in the development of a statistical base for assessing socio-economic progress, especially those pertaining to national accounts and economic statistics. The training programme aims to enhance the capacity of the DPRK statisticians for producing national accounts and economic statistics in accordance with international concepts and standards.

The training is primarily organized by the United Nations Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (UNSIAP) and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), in collaboration with PSRTI.

Through this training, it is expected that the officials and statisticians of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) will have better knowledge of the statistical implications of the sustainable development goals and targets (SDGs) and statistical standards, frameworks, methods and data sources in producing and compiling quality national accounts statistics following the 2008 SNA framework.

Resource persons were from the Philippine Statistics Authority, led by Mr. Raymundo J. Talento, Interim Assistant National Statistician of the Macroeconomic Accounts Services and other partner-agencies of the Philippine Statistical Research and Training Institute (PSRTI). Executive Director, Dr. Zita Albacea opened the program with her welcome remarks. Dir./Dr. Albacea also listened to the DPRK presentation of its System of National Accounts. Training Division Chief Ms. Virginia N. Gañac is the project leader with Ana Julia J. Macaraig of the same division as the lead coordinator.

The training course was conducted 20 April until 15 May 2015, with technical and cultural tours arranged for the participants.