at the same time, there is a growing number of initiatives for active use of the socalled “ big data ” in the statistical world, a new paradigm that changes the profiles of both holders of statistics, statistical processes, and overall economic and financial analysis. statisticians globally are increasingly experimenting with large structured and unstructured computergenerated data, the sources of which are all of us. the possibility of using this data as an innovative source of official statistics is being increasingly explored. the challenges are surely immense, given the need to assess the accuracy, sustainability and methodological foundations of these data systems, as well as the need to find human resources and appropriate management technologies. last but not least, there are investments for improving the dissemination and communication of statistics to the public. it is a recurring cycle in which we are constantly striving for better communication by conducting surveys of reporters and user satisfaction, regular publishing of statistical press releases … a new statistical web portal for external users – nbsat will be launched soon. this web portal will be a modern statistical tool designed for interactive communication with users, which will significantly expand their capabilities for data analysis of our central bank statistics. confirmation of our struggles to promote data dissemination is our adherence to the highest statistics dissemination standard of the international monetary fund – sdss plus early this year that made us one of the nineteen countries in the world whose statistics are harmonized with this highest statistical standard. dear guests, many of the post - crisis statistics initiatives are completed both globally and in our country, or are underway. it is clear though that the environment is dynamic and requires constant changes in the data architecture of central banks. as mario draghi once pointed out, “ the well - established escb statistics will continue to provide the “ big picture ” of economic developments. but we should also offer a magnifying glass1 ” to help us look at the details regularly and precisely. “ looking at the details enriches our understanding of economic phenomena and at the same time increases our flexibility to respond to unexpected policy needs ”. i am sure that we, the statistical bodies, will always be ready to respond to the new challenges. compiling and disseminating statistics in accordance with the latest european standards is and i believe will always be our strategic commitment. today, the message from the father of statistics, karl pearson that " statistics is the grammar of science ” is more than clear. from today ’ s perspective, i would add “ it is also a grammar of

anita angelovska bezhoska : speech - european statistics day speech by ms anita angelovska bezhoska, governor of the national bank of the republic of north macedonia, at the marking of the european statistics day, held at the national bank, skopje, 28 october 2019. * * * your excellency zhbogar, dear director general simovski, dear mr. nymand - andersen, esteemed managers of regulatory institutions, former minister of finance, ladies and gentlemen, it is my great pleasure to address you today at the celebration of the european statistics day. reflecting on the concept of today ’ s event for further affirmation of the importance of statistics, as well as our commitment to compile quality statistics under the latest european and international standards in general, i recall what herbert george wells said a century ago, “ statistical thinking will one day be as necessary for efficient citizenship as the ability to read and write. ” and he was right. today, when information and knowledge are the main building blocks of society, and when neither full information nor thorough knowledge is possible without quality data, there is no doubt that statistics are and will always be necessary, both for the individual and for the society at large. therefore, the responsibility we all have as part of the statistical puzzle is great – we create a public good whose benefits are felt by every individual, every institution, policy maker... all this for the benefit of a healthy and prosperous society. the past decade has witnessed tectonic changes in the global economic and financial landscape. these changes have also affected the central banks. with the onset of the crisis, the so - called conventional policies and instruments were reconsidered, the scope of our functions increased, and the expectations from us enhanced. macroprudential function, bank resolution, consumer protection, financial inclusion and literacy are just some of the areas requiring from the central bank to play the leading role. the crisis itself and the subsequent changes to the overall central bank profile and decision - making infrastructure entail modifications in the scope, granularity, and the systematization of the available statistical data. a number of new statistical initiatives ( such as the g - 20 data gaps initiative ) aimed at enriching the statistical spectrum have emerged post crisis. the mere fact that global crisis arose exactly from the financial sector suggests that many of the post - crisis recommendations and needs for changes in the statistical system concern the central banks. the crisis has