"Every One Counts" was the theme under which the whole world celebrated the day this month. For Sudan, however, this year's theme comes as a timely reflection of Sudan's need for reliable data for development planning.

"Everyone has the right to access health, education and other services," said Ms. Amira Elfadil, Minister of Welfare and Social Security who addressed participants. "Everyone counts and it's the government's responsibility to make available the data on every person so development planning will be based on demographic characteristics," she added.

Ms. Elfadil noted that there is still a gap in population research, surveys and data collection and analysis. She added that more efforts are needed to ensure the availability of quality data that reflects reality.

In her remarks, Ms. Sharare Amirkhalili, Officer in Charge UNFPA Representative to Sudan reiterated that the utilization of data from the recent 2008 National Census is of great significance to Sudan. She added that "of equal importance is the institutional capacity development in the areas of not only data collection but also analysis, dissemination, and utilization through integration of population issues into development planning, particularly at local level where the need is greater."

Ms. Amirkhalili noted that integrating g population characteristics and issues in development planning will enable Sudan to make informed decisions relating to poverty reduction, education, improving maternal health and averting maternal death and to reduce gender inequalities.

Two papers were presented for discussion by experts and participants. The first paper titled Population Data: For Evidence-Based Policies and programs. The paper stressed the significance of moving from data collection to data analysis and advocacy for utilization. The second paper discussed the experience of the recent national population census in Sudan and the lessons learned.