On April 18, Anton de Kom University of Suriname (AdeKUS) awarded an honorary doctorate to Iwan Aschwin Sno, MSc, honoring his decades of extraordinary contributions to advancing statistical science and data-informed policy development across Suriname and the broader Caribbean region. The formal award ceremony was followed by Sno’s public lecture titled *The Importance of Good Data and Good Statistics*, where he emphasized that high-quality, reliable numerical data forms an irreplaceable foundation for evidence-based public policy making.
Sno’s professional career in official statistics spans more than 30 years, 22 of which he served as the director of Suriname’s General Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Under his leadership, the country’s entire national statistical system underwent major expansion and institutional strengthening. Key milestones during his tenure include the successful execution of multiple national population censuses, the restart of critical national socioeconomic surveys, the establishment of the ABS’s first dedicated research department, and the introduction of a fixed annual publication calendar for statistical outputs. These reforms have vastly improved transparency and predictability for public and private sector users of national statistical data.
Beyond Suriname’s national borders, Sno has built a prominent reputation across the global and regional statistical communities. He served 16 years as a member of the United Nations Statistical Commission, holding senior leadership roles including vice-chair and rapporteur. He also contributed directly to developing regional statistical standards, most notably the CARICOM Code of Good Statistical Practices, and co-founded the Caribbean Association of Professional Statisticians to promote professional excellence across the region.
Sno’s impact also extends deeply to academic capacity building. He has held teaching positions at both AdeKUS and the University of the West Indies, and played a key role in designing graduate level programs in research methods and applied statistics. Through his teaching and mentorship, he has shaped generations of new students, researchers, and public policy leaders across the Caribbean.
In announcing the honorary degree, AdeKUS officials highlighted that the award recognizes Sno’s lifelong, sustained commitment to the advancement of statistical science, evidence-based governance, and public service that has benefited both Suriname and the wider regional community.