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In a Palais des Nations (The United Nations Office) in the heart of Geneva, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) was hosting an international gathering on "Workshop on Ethics in Modern Statistical Organisations". Among the speakers, , an applied statistician at the University of Malta, Marie Curie European Research Fellow ().

The room buzzed with anticipation as delegates of national statistical systems from various European countries (but also Australia, Nigeria, Canada, South Korea…) settled into their seats, eager to delve into the intricate intersection of ethics and statistical practices.

Dr Luca Di Gennaro Splendore presented a work on the relationship between Democracy and Official Statistics: "Democracy dies in darkness without Official Data", more details are available .

The temptation to manipulate data to fit preconceived narratives, the pressure to prioritise political agendas over accuracy, and the challenges of maintaining independence in a world fraught with vested interests. Ethics must be the lodestar guiding every aspect of our work. It is not enough to merely comply with regulations or adhere to technical standards. We must cultivate a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability within our statistical agencies. We need to recognise the imperative of integrating ethics into the fabric of national statistical systems.

One goal of the workshop was to start the process for the drafting of the reference book on Ethics and Official Statistics. Drawing upon contributions from leading statisticians, ethicists, policymakers, and practitioners from around the world, the "Reference Book on Ethics” and Official Statistics encompassed a wide range of topics essential to the ethical governance of official statistics.

The "Reference Book on Ethics" served as an invaluable resource for statisticians, policymakers, researchers, and students alike, providing practical guidance, case studies, and theoretical insights to navigate the complex ethical terrain of official statistics. It represented a milestone in the ongoing quest to ensure that statistics not only inform public policy and decision-making but also uphold the highest ethical standards, safeguarding the trust and confidence of society in the integrity of official data.

The workshop report will be uploaded to the in the coming month.