Theme: "Data revolution, Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda2063.”
Date: 26 – 28 November 2015
Place: Libreville, Gabon

I. Background and rationale

The Committee of Directors-General of African National Statistical Offices (CoDG) was established by the African Union (AU) 2006 Conference of Ministers of Economy and Finance (CAMEF). As mandated, the CoDG meets annually under the aegis of the African Union Commission (AUC) to discuss statistical development issues in Africa. Topics reported to CAMEF include implementation progress of the African Charter on Statistics and the Strategy for the Harmonization of Statistics in Africa (SHaSA). CoDG members comprise Directors General of National Statistics Offices (NSOs), while Heads of Statistics Training Centers, Regional and Panafrican Statistics Organizations and partners also attend.

The Seventh CoDGs Session debated on main ongoing issues. The Ninth CoDGs which is planned from 23 to 28 November 2015 in Libreville, Gabon, will take opportunities to fine-tune Africa position on many of these issues.

II. Objectives

The Ninth CoDGs meeting will focus on major ongoing issues to the view of getting African view and pespectives. It will also considers issues of concern in relation with coordination and integration of the African Statistical System and partnership

III. Ninth Session of CoDG

The Ninth Session of CoDGs is being prepared by the AUC Statistics Division in collaboration with the African Development Bank Statistics Department and Economic Commission for Africa. It will be held from 23 to 28 November 2015 at Stade de l'amitié sino-gabonaise d'Agondje, in Libreville, Gabon with a theme of: "Data Revolution, Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063.”.

IV. Format of the Ninth Session of CoDGs

For operational reasons, and to enable the Ninth Session of CoDGs to discharge its responsibilities in an effective, coordinated and focused manner, the meeting is organized in plenary and Break-out sessions. To that effect, specialised technical groups have been instituted on a number of domains.
Aside from the plenary and working Groups sessions, a series of meetings are planned in conjunction with the meeting including: the Following side events:

V. Who can participate?

The official country delegation to the Ninth Session of CoDGs shall normally be led by the head of the National Statistics office.
Observers from national, regional and international organization, IGOs, NGOs, the academia and research institutions, the private sector and related industries are also invited to attend. Observers attend all sessions, except those designated private, and participate in discussions, but may not vote on any issues.

VI. How to participate?

Note: Formal invitations will be sent through the usual channels: Member States invitations will be channelled through the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and existing embassies in Addis Ababa. Observers will be invited directly by SD/AUC and ACS/ECA.

Participation can be made in various ways:

• Contact your relevant National agency to be included in the country delegation;
• Contact the Secretariat at the address below to be considered for invitation as an observer.

Proposals from parties interested in organizing workshops on relevant themes, and/or sponsoring workshop participants are welcome.

VII. Contact Information

For further information, please contact:

Mr. Jose Awong ALENE
Statistician, Statistics Division
Economic Affairs Department
African Union Commission
Tel: (251) 115 18 2674
Fax: (251) 115 51 78 44
E-mail: AleneJ@africa-union.org

Mr. Dossina Yeo
Acting Head of Statistics Division,

Mrs. Selamawit Mussie
Policy Officer
African Union Commission
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 182674
Email: selamawitMU@africa-union.org

Ms. Sara Edith Noupeu Nji
Policy Officer
Economic Affairs Department
African Union Commission
Tel: (251) 11 551 77 00
Email: EdithN@africa-union.org