CCSA Ways for improvement

1. CCSA Ways for improvement CCSA Co-chairs Henri Laurencin Werner Bier UNCTAD ECB 27 February 2012

2. Opinions expressed by the International Statistical Community CCSA and the Global Statistical System Katherin K. Wallman,Chief Statistician, USA “While there has been considerable progress in the development of methodological tools, there is yet a continuing concern about the practical implementation of many statistical frameworks.” Ivan P. Fellegi,Former Chief Statistician, Canada Most instances of inter-agency cooperation are essential. But, while some would earn an “excellent” mark, the majority would not get more than a “passing” grade.” Dennis J. Trewin, Former Chief Statistician, Australia “… they (IOs) are invaluable for compiling internationally comparable data. Although international databases have become more prevalent, their quality is of concern.” “One of the key outputs … is international statistical standards. Yet insufficient attention is paid to its implementation.” “… most the International Agencies collaborate … lot of this collaboration is by way of information sharing.… The main challenge is to make it (the CCSA) effective.”

3. Finding solutions CCSA and the Global Statistical System These challenges fall within the CCSA’s mandate: Coordination of statistical activities and statistical actions Promotion of common standards and platforms Methodologies development Inter-institutional support Capacity-building Advocacy for statistics Principles Governing International Statistical Activities It is a responsibility of CCSA to address the challenges aiming at enhancing international statistics

4. Adjustments needed to allow CCSA to fulfill this task CCSA and the Global Statistical System Objective To make CCSA an output oriented forum transforming its current information sharing orientation. Approach Be selective on the questions addressed by CCSA : Check whether they fall within its mandate Define a concrete outcome from the decision taken Choose appropriate methods to tackle the question

5. Revision of the CCSA’s methods of work CCSA and the Global Statistical System Make a clear distinction between the items on the agenda that are for decision-making and those for information exchange Adapt agenda of the CCSA meetings accordingly: February: • Items relevant for the UNSC discussion • Preparation of the September meeting September: • Improvement of the statistics • Development of methodologies • Capacity building activities • Human capital

6. Revision of the CCSA’s methods of work (cont.) CCSA and the Global Statistical System CCSA should: Be more inclusive expanding the scope of its collaborators involved in the inter-sessions preparatory work Take responsibility for ad hoc task teams it initiates Establish closer working relationship with Inter Secretariat Working Groups (IWG) Become a driving force of the network of statisticians working in IOs

7. Next step: 20th Session of CCSA in September 2012 CCSA and the Global Statistical System Discuss the proposed approach for CCSA work Agree on the organisation and expected outcomes of the next sessions Tentative agenda of the 20th session: 1. Improvement of the statistics General discussion on how CCSA can promote the cooperation amongst CCSA members for the preparation of reference series on selected subjects (Example: annual GDP at market prices, total merchandises exports and imports (with the contribution of the Task Force on Merchandise Trade Statistics)) 2. Development of methodologies Finalization of the guidelines/best practices for IOs on the use of different data sources for the international statistics production Finalization of the guidelines/best practices on the micro-data dissemination by IOs

8. Next step: 20th Session of CCSA in September 2012 (cont.) CCSA and the Global Statistical System Tentative agenda of the 20th session (cont.): 3. Capacity building activities Review of detailed issues that merit attention in the area of capacity building activities and proposed actions 4. Human capital Endorsement of the standard job profiles of international statisticians Review, endorsement and implementation of concrete actions to improve outreach and cooperation efforts with academia and training institutions Network of Statisticians working in IOs: review and endorsement for completion of the proposed actions

9. Thank you for attention CCSA and the Global Statistical System