United Nations Statistical Commission 56th Session Side Event: Carrying forward the legacy of the International Comparison Program (ICP)

This online event on February 24, 2025, celebrates the International Comparison Program’s (ICP) legacy by showcasing its rich history, its latest data release, ongoing and future activities, and its profound impact on the global statistical and economic landscape. It will also serve as an opportunity to honor the Program’s founders, including the last surviving, Professor Alan Heston, who passed away in October 2024. Additionally, the event seeks to strengthen the Program’s role as a permanent global statistical initiative, educate and expand its user base, encourage broader participation, and, importantly, call for funding and resources at the national, regional, and global levels to sustain this remarkable legacy.

Context

The International Comparison Program (ICP) began in the late 1960s as a small collaboration between the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) and the University of Pennsylvania, led by Irving Kravis, Alan Heston, and Robert Summers. Over the decades, it has grown into one of the world’s largest statistical partnerships, fostering international cooperation across agencies and academia. Recognizing its significance, the United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC) established the ICP as a permanent global program in 2016.

For nearly 55 years, the ICP has provided a critical public good—purchasing power parities (PPPs) and price level indexes—which are essential for cross-country economic comparisons and tracking progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Program continues to enhance methodologies, integrate new technologies, and expand capacity-building efforts.

Alan Heston’s 2017 memoir reflects on the ICP’s evolution and its impact. He found the most rewarding aspect to be the new generation of statisticians carrying forward the work with enthusiasm. As part of the 56th Session of the UNSC, this side event will honor Alan’s legacy and the lasting impact of the ICP on global economic statistics and measurement.

The event will also highlight the strong partnerships that have been fundamental to the ICP’s success. From national and regional institutions to international organizations and academia, collaboration has been at the heart of the Program’s ability to expand its reach and enhance its methodologies. Strengthening these partnerships will be key to ensuring the ICP remains a robust and trusted source of global economic data.

Looking ahead, the ICP remains committed to strengthening its statistical foundations, increasing global participation, and adapting to new economic challenges. As the world continues to evolve, so too will the ICP—ensuring that its data remains a vital tool for understanding economic development, inequality, and progress worldwide.

Target audience

The primary audience includes national government and development agency officials, including Chief Statisticians, ICP governing and coordination body members and experts, other ICP stakeholders, ICP data users, and those who wish to honor Professor Heston and other prominent figures involved in the Program.