CSO releases its Capacity Development Plan (2011-14) to address its critical capacity needs at enabling environment, organisational and individual levels

The Central Statistics Organisation (CSO) is striving for rebuilding its capacity to meet the comprehensive, reliable and timely data needs for evidence based planning and policy making in Afghanistan in the face of post-conflict situation. In this context, a comprehensive Capacity Development Plan (2011-14) has been prepared by CSO with the help of the Capacity Development Advisor (CDA) supported by UNDP Afghanistan under the National Institution Building Project (NIBP) and after wider stakeholder consultation. The CDP attempts to address critical capacity development needs of CSO in an integrated and systematic manner at all three levels - enabling environment, organisational and individual.

The Plan document was released by H.E. Mr Abdul Rahman Ghafoori, President General of CSO in a presentation workshop on 28 June 2011 at Intercontinental Hotel, Kabul. About 60 high level officers from line Ministries, CSO and other Agencies of Afghanistan, experts from Kabul University and representatives from donor community and international organizations such as UNDP, UNAMA, UNFPA, UNICEF, EU, ICON-Germany, IMF, ADB, World Bank, etc participated in the workshop. Both electronic and print media covered the event.

In his inaugural speech, Mr Ghafoori congratulated Mr Manoj Basnayat, Country Director, UNDP and his entire Afghanistan Team for receiving the Julia V. Taft Award for their exceptional work in helping the country to reconcile and rebuild after decades of conflict. He thanked UNDP Afghanistan for supporting CSO in terms of the advisory services of a CDA and twinning arrangement with India for transfer of regional statistical knowledge and expertise to Afghanistan under south-south cooperation. While delivering his address on this occasion, Mr Rohulla Osmani, Director General, GDPDM, IARCSC emphasized the need for a strong civil service with high human capacity at institutional, organisational and individual levels to face the challenges of capacity development in the post-conflict situation. The main features of the CDP were presented by Mr E. Ramzi, Statistical Adviser, CSO and Dr P C Mishra, UNDP/NIBP Capacity Development Advisor to CSO. H.E. Dr Nazir Ahmad Shahidi, Dy Minister of Economy participated in the event and delivered his concluding remarks. Mr Aimal, NIBP representative offered vote of thanks. The CDP received overwhelming response and appreciation from all quarters. It is hoped that the Users, Donors and other Stakeholders would find the publication informative and useful.