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Dr Luca Di Gennaro Splendore, from the University of Malta, recently delivered a presentation titled “Official Statistics and Governability” at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Workshop on Modernizing Statistical Legislation, held in Belgrade, Serbia.

Hosted by the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia in collaboration with Microsoft, the workshop brought together experts from national statistical offices, international organizations, and academia to discuss the future of statistical legislation and to provide input into the revision of the Generic Law on Official Statistics (GLOS).

Marking ten years since the GLOS was first endorsed, the meeting provided an opportunity to assess its ongoing relevance and identify new areas for improvement in light of rapid technological, political, and societal changes.

In his presentation, Dr Di Gennaro Splendore explored the concept of governability — the capacity of statistical institutions to maintain independence, coordination, and accountability in increasingly complex data ecosystems. He argued that strengthening official statistics is essential not only for transparency and policy effectiveness, but also for democratic governance itself.

The workshop’s discussions spanned a range of emerging topics, including:

• Artificial intelligence (AI) in official statistics
• Global data governance frameworks
• Access to privately held data for public purposes
• Data sharing and interoperability across institutions

These exchanges underscored the growing complexity of the data landscape and the need for forward-looking legislation that ensures official statistics remain relevant, ethical, and trustworthy in the digital era.

“Modern statistical legislation must evolve to reflect new realities of data access, technology, and governance,” noted Dr Di Gennaro Splendore. “The balance between innovation, accountability, and trust will determine how well official statistics can continue to serve democracy.”

A key takeaway from the workshop was that while the current GLOS remains broadly fit for purpose, new challenges call for an updated model law, refined guidance, and stronger implementation strategies. Participants emphasized the importance of communication, collaboration, and sustained engagement between chief statisticians, policymakers, and international partners.

The UNECE Steering Group on Modernization of Statistical Legislation will continue this work with the aim of delivering an updated GLOS by the end of 2026.

More information about the event is available on the .