Gemma Van Halderen is Director of the Statistics Division in the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). Prior to joining ESCAP, Gemma was a member of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Executive Team, leading the transformation of ABS’ statistical programs and implementation of modernised statistical capabilities including data sharing, data integration and microdata access. Gemma led ABS’ contribution to the Australian Government’s Data Integration Partnership for Australia. In 2017, Gemma was seconded to the Commonwealth Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to lead preparation of the Government’s response to the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Data Availability and Use.

Gemma has extensive global experience. She was inaugural co-chair of a UN Expert Group on the Integration of Statistical and Geospatial Information, is an elected member of the International Statistics Institute, a member of the International Association of Official Statistics (IAOS) Executive Committee, the regional editor of the Statistical Journal of the IAOS and an advocate for young statisticians. Gemma holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours from the Australian National University.