The inaugural United Nations World Data Forum is set to kick off on 15 January at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, with an ambitious agenda aiming to build broad consensus on how to harness the power of data for sustainable development, and boost the collaboration and resources needed to carry the work forward. Over 1,500 data leaders and experts from more than 100 countries are expected to come together at the Forum, including from national statistical offices, the private sector and scientific community, international organizations, and civil society groups, as well as political leaders and sustainable development advocates.
 

PRESS BRIEFINGS:
10 January, 4pm local time, Organized by the UN Information Centre in Pretoria in partnership with Statistics SA at the Holiday Inn Sandton Hotel, Johannesburg.
Speakers: Pali Lehohla, Statistician-General and Head of Statistics South Africa; Stefan Schweinfest, Director, UN Statistics Division (by WEBex)
A video of the briefing will be available with a delay at UNDataForum.org.
 
10 January, 12:15pm, New York time, UN Headquarters Press Briefing Room
The guest of the Spokesperson’s noon briefing will be Stefan Schweinfest, Director, UN Statistics Division, to speak on the prospects for the first UN World Data Forum. To be webcast at webtv.un.org.

15 January, 2:30pm, Cape Town Intl. Convention Centre (just prior to 4:00pm opening ceremony).
Speakers will include:
Wu Hongbo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs
Pali Lehohla, Statistician-General and Head of Statistics South Africa
Stefan Schweinfest, Director, UN Statistics Division
Open to media registered for the UN World Data Forum. Media who wish to register should send an email request to dataforum@un.org.
 
18 January, 12:30pm (TBC), CTICC Plenary Auditorium
Closing press briefing on the outcomes of the UN World Data Forum. Speakers to be announced. To be webcast at UNDataForum.org.
Other press briefings will be scheduled as needed. Updates will be posted at the UNDataForum.org media page.
 
OPENING CEREMONY – 15 January, 4-6 pm, Cape Town International Convention Centre
The Forum’s opening ceremony is being organized by the Government of South Africa.
Speakers to be announced. To be webcast live at UNDataForum.org. Media arrangements to be announced.
 
FORUM SCHEDULE AND SPEAKERS – 16-18 January
See UNDataForum.org under “Programme” for the most up-to-date schedule of sessions, list of speakers and bios, and links to presentations and resources offered at each session. 

Summaries and photos of selected sessions by the International Institute for Sustainable Development will be posted at the end of each day at www.iisd.ca/undata/forum1/
 
MEDIA LOGISTICS AND RESOURCES

Registration –Media who wish to cover the Forum but have not yet registered should send an email request to dataforum@un.org.  Media who have pre-registered and received a confirmation letter can pick up their badges in the CTICC lobby from 8am to 5pm on 15-18 January.
Facilities – There will be a press briefing room and a small working area for media on the 1^st floor of the CTICC.  The communications team supporting the Forum, from the UN and from Statistics SA, will have an office there also, to answer queries and direct media.
Webcasting – Only sessions in the plenary auditorium of CTICC will be livestreamed. Links to archived webcasts for each session in the plenary will be posted with that session on the “Programme” page of UNDataForum.org
Broadcast feed – An HD TV feed will be available for events in the plenary auditorium.  Additional video and audio highlights may be available; check the UNDataForum.org media page for updates.
Photos – Downloadable photos will be posted at the end of each day at www.iisd.ca/undata/forum1/
and at https://www.flickr.com/photos/124502081@N02/.
Social media – Join the conversation on Twitter using #UNDataForum. See other digital resources on the UNDataForum.org media page.

Media contacts on-site:
Pragati Pascale | E: pragati.pascale@gmail.com | T: +1 917-744-2114;
Daniella Khadivi | E: daniellacitizenglobal@gmail.com | T: +1 646-454-1965
Zeenat Abdool | E: zeenat.abdool@unic.org | T: +27 82 778 8080 | UNIC Pretoria
Newton Kanhema | E: newton.kanhema@unon.org | T: +254 709 021102 | UNIC Nairobi
Sivuyile Mangxamba | E: sivuyilema@statssa.gov.za  | T: +27 71 356 1428 | Statistics South Africa

See website for media contacts for partner organizations.