Perceived public value: rethinking the role of official statistics from the users' perspective

The Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators (ASTI) project was featured in session IPS 1020, “Perceived Public Value: Rethinking the Role of Official Statistics from the Users’ Perspective”, at the 65th ISI World Statistics Congress held in The Hague from 5 to 9 October 2025.

The presentation, delivered by Mr. Hernan Daniel Munoz, ASTI Project Lead, focused on lessons on the value of official statistics, using the ASTI initiative as a case study. It illustrated how a non-official data source can be transformed into a regular, reliable, and sustainable official statistical product.

The session presented ASTI as a concrete case study on the transition of a non-official agricultural R&D data collection into a harmonized and sustainable official statistic, offering insights on enhancing the sustainability, legitimacy, and policy relevance of statistical initiatives.

The case study highlighted challenges related to coordination, capacity building, and methodological alignment, as well as the critical role of international organizations in supporting successful in-country institutionalization. It underscored the importance of inclusive processes to build consensus, promote data use for policy, and ensure implementation through official statistical mechanisms.

Ultimately, the case study reinforced the broader argument that the true value of statistics—viewed as global public goods—lies in the trust, coordination and shared ownership they cultivate, much of which often remains unseen.

The ISI World Statistics Congress 2025

From 5 to 9 October 2025, The Hague, The Netherlands, hosted the 65th ISI World Statistics Congress — the premier global event for Statistics and Data Science, organized biennially by the International Statistical Institute. The congress brought together approximately 1,500 statisticians and data scientists from academia, official statistics, the private sector, central banks, statistical societies, and beyond. It was a vibrant forum for exchanging ideas, showcasing innovations, and fostering collaboration across disciplines and sectors.