Paul Cheung

Professor Paul Cheung is Professor of Social Policy and Analytics at the National University of Singapore. He returned to Singapore in December 2012 after serving for 9 years as the Director of the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York (2004-2012).

At the UN, he facilitated the development of the global statistical system and coordinated the work of UNSD. He supervised a programme of work that included the development of international statistical standards, the dissemination of global statistical data, the provision of technical advice to member states in the development of national statistical systems, the coordination of international statistical activities, and the delivery of programme support to the UN System on all statistical matters.

Professor Cheung also had the responsibility of implementing UN mandates on geospatial information, cartography, and geographic names. In 2011, his initiative to establish an inter-governmental platform to address issues on Global Geospatial Information Management was endorsed by the UN. This global multilateral mechanism explores all issues on geospatial information and has gained strong support from member states.

Prior to his appointment at the United Nations, Professor Cheung served as Chief Statistician of the Government of Singapore (1991-2004) and Director of the Population Planning Unit (1987-1994). He has received many national and professional awards for his work around the world, including the Public Administration Gold Medal by the Singapore government, the Royal Order of Sahametrei (Grand Officer) by the Cambodian government, and the Doctor Honoris Causa by the National University of Mongolia.

Professor Cheung is well known globally for his research and leadership in official statistics and global information system. He is also widely known for his work on Singapore's population policy and manpower research.

Education

• Honorary Doctorate Degree (Doctor Honoris Causa), National University of Mongolia.
• Joint Ph.D. in Social Work (Social Planning) and Sociology (Demography), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
• Master of Arts (Sociology - Demography) and Master of Social Work (Social Planning), University of Hawaii and East West Center, Honolulu, Hawaii.
• Certificate of Population Studies, University of Hawaii and East West Population Institute.
• Bachelor of Social Sciences (Sociology, First Class Honours), University of Singapore.