The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) hosted the Regional Training Workshop on the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting - Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA EA) from 05 to 08 June 2023. The regional training workshop was organized by the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) and UN Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (UNSIAP). It was part of the development account project entitled “Environmental-Economic Accounting for Evidence-based Policy in Africa and Asia.” The workshop aimed to capacitate each country for the compilation of SEEA EA.

Forty-six (46) statistical officers, accounts compilers, development planners, and policymakers from Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Palau, Samoa, Thailand, Vietnam, and Philippines participated in the workshop. Representatives of the Philippines were from PSA, UN Habitat Philippines, National Economic and Development Authority, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources, its bureaus, and attached agency – Biodiversity Management Bureau, Forest Management Bureau, and National Mapping and Resource Information Authority.

Experts from UNSD, UNSIAP, and Basque Centre for Climate Change discussed ecosystem accounting, geographical information system, and the use of the Artificial Intelligence for Environment & Sustainability (ARIES) Tool. Participating countries, namely: Philippines, Indonesia, India, and Nepal also shared their experiences in compiling ecosystem accounts.

During the opening ceremony, Officer-in-Charge Deputy National Statistician Divina Gracia L. del Prado delivered the message and mentioned that the “training workshop on ecosystem accounting will further enhance understanding of and capacity in doing ecosystem accounts” which is also a step closer to the country’s target to value ecosystem services and other environmental accounts.

CLAIRE DENNIS S. MAPA, PhD
Undersecretary
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General