The United Nations decided to designate October 20, 2010, as World Statistics Day and observe the day on a regular way.

In an interview with KCNA, Choe Sung Ho, a vice department director of the Central Statistics Bureau, said that statistics was an important means to protect the interests of the working people and guarantee social, economic and cultural development. He introduced brisk activities which have been conducted in the country to steadily enhance its statistical capacity.

In the DPRK national, provincial, city and county statistical agencies compile statistics in a scientific, objective and timely way, displaying the vitality of the unified statistical system, he said, adding:

A census was conducted in 2008 and several surveys, including women's health survey, have been made in the country with the help of UN organizations. On the basis of their results, we have directed great efforts to the statistical indices reflecting the MDGs (millennium development goals) and to the increased statistical capacity.

A seminar, lecture and other events took place in the DPRK on Wednesday.