The census is a major project of the UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, an international development agency.

“Technical preparations for the census are on track, but there is a significant funding gap of $ 38.5 million,” said Minister Khin Yi.

The commission agreed to intensify resource mobilization efforts.

Khin Yi  said the census would be carried out according to international standards.

Mohamed Abdel-Ahad, the UNFPA representative, said the group is preparing in a number of areas including design of census questionnaire, identification of data processing technology, mapping and development of publicity, advocacy and communication campaign.

A chief technical adviser has been recruited to oversee the implementation of the census, transfer knowledge, establish quality control mechanisms and ensure adherence to international standards.

The government agreed to form a Technical Advisory Board of prominent experts on census and other related disciplines to participate at key milestones of the census and provide advice and oversight.

A pilot census is scheduled from March 30 to April 10, 2013, while the actual census will take place during the same period in 2014.

The preliminary result of the census is expected to be released in July 2014, while final results will be released in early 2015.

The census is estimated to cost $58.5 million, of which the government and UNFPA have committed $20 million, leaving a funding gap of $38.5 million.