discussants today represent a wide spectrum of group of compilers and users of statistics, who have vast experience in conducting significant research in many areas that uses national and international statistics. through their presentations and discussions, we hope to learn from their knowledge and thinking on relevant issues in the field of statistics. we are also honoured to have two international speakers from the ifc who will talk about the international best practices in data management and country experiences in data sharing and communication of statistics. i would also like to take this opportunity to thank them in advance. i would also like to record our appreciation to the representatives from various national organisations for chairing the sessions and sharing their views on the topic that we had identified. before i end my remarks, i thought it worth emphasising again the importance of greater collaboration between statisticians, compilers and end users of statistics in improving data compilation, communication and its usage. in this respect, i believe that mystats will be a strong foundation to facilitate and enhance this collaborative effort. on that note, i wish you a productive and engaging conference. bis central bankers ’ speeches

chance to see and handle prototype notes. after that public consultation, we ’ re confident that the switch to polymer will have broad public support. for those who might be concerned about the change, let me reassure you that the new polymer notes will retain the familiar look of bank of england banknotes, including of course the portrait of her majesty the queen, as well as depictions of historical characters of national significance. that continuity of design helps explain why people who have had a chance to handle specimen notes were even more likely to view polymer favourably. the depiction of historical characters will remain an integral feature of our banknotes, providing an opportunity to celebrate individuals that have shaped the united kingdom. in bis central bankers ’ speeches order to ensure public confidence in banknotes, it is essential that the choice of characters commands broad public respect and legitimacy. that is why in july, at the same time as announcing that jane austen would feature on the new £10 note, i promised that we would review the way in which the characters featured on banknotes are selected. today we are announcing a new set of principles to guide the choice of characters and a new process to ensure that those principles are, and are seen to be, followed. the new principles for character selection state clearly and positively the bank ’ s aims in using historic characters on our notes. they put diversity and inclusivity at the heart of the selection criteria. and they make clear our intention to portray a diverse range of characters over time, with each new decision taking into account previous choices. the new process will be open, transparent and inclusive. there will be greater input from the public and from external experts in the form of a new advisory committee with a majority of independent members. that body will recommend a broad theme – for example scientific achievement – before the public are invited to nominate characters within that theme. the advisory committee, with input from public focus groups, will narrow down the field to a final shortlist of characters and the governor will make the final choice from that shortlist. these changes will ensure that the characters on our banknotes are fully representative of the history and diversity of this great nation, while having the necessary public respect and legitimacy. our polymer notes will combine the best of progress and tradition. they will be more secure from counterfeiting and more resistant to damage while celebrating the history and tradition that is important both to the bank and the nation as a whole. by consulting widely on the switch to polymer, and by putting in place a new