Thierry intervenes in the World Statistics Congress in The Hague (Netherlands)

Thierry Jean’s Message at the World Statistics Congress

At the recent World Statistics Congress in The Hague, our president Thierry Jean took the floor to address a critical foundation for modern data ecosystems: addresses.

In his intervention, Thierry stressed that among the many technological and analytical priorities competing for attention, one essential truth must not be overlooked:

Addresses are the key pillar for effective national-scale data integration.

A well-structured and standardised address database functions as the “cement” that links, cross-references, and contextualises statistical, demographic, and socio-economic information. Without a precise national address system, the potential of big data strategies — particularly those led by statistical offices — remains constrained.

The Strategic Role of National Statistical Organisations

Thierry reminded participants that National Statistical Organisations (NSOs) have a unique leadership responsibility in this agenda.

NSOs strengthen their own statistical operations — including censuses and sampling — while also empowering:

• Government planning and public-service delivery
• Economic development and private-sector innovation
• Research, emergency response, and social programmes

Address data becomes, therefore, a true enabler of national development.

Overture Maps Foundation: An Open Global Resource

Thierry also emphasised the importance of leveraging existing global open resources, particularly the Overture Maps Foundation (OMF) — a major publisher of open geospatial datasets.

One standout example is their global dataset of over 2.3 billion building footprints, which is already helping countries and statistical communities:

• Verify population coverage
• Improve sampling frameworks
• Integrate satellite imagery and on-the-ground observations
• Perform detailed territorial analysis

Access to such open data ensures that no country is forced to build everything from scratch.

Conclusion

Thierry’s message to the international statistical community was clear:

Data integration begins with addresses.
And NSOs must embrace their role as the stewards of this fundamental layer.