United Nations: India has overwhelmingly won a "competitive" election to the UN Statistical Commission, where it will serve for four years. China and South Korea are still battling for the final Asia Pacific seat.
India secured an overwhelming 46 out of 53 votes. A second candidate is yet to be decided between South Korea and China and the balloting process will resume for electing the remaining Asia Pacific States member.
India was elected by secret ballot while Argentina, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Ukraine, the United Republic of Tanzania and the United States of America were elected by acclamation for a four-year term of office beginning January 1, 2024.
"India elected to the highest UN statistical body for a 4-year term beginning on 1 January 2024! Congrats Team @IndiaUNNewYork for coming through so strongly in a competitive election," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said.
He added that India's "expertise in the field of statistics, diversity & demography has earned it a seat on the UN Statistical Commission." The current members from the Asia-Pacific States are Japan (2024), Samoa (2024) as well as Kuwait and the Republic of Korea, whose terms are ending this year.
The highest body in the global statistics system, the United Nations Statistical Commission was founded in 1947 and brings together the Chief Statisticians from member states from all over the world.