S ESSION 1 The Current Status of Strategic Statistical Planning : An Overview Frederick W H HO

1. HIGH-LEVEL FORUM ON STRATEGIC PLANNING IN STATISTICS FOR EAST AND NORTH-EAST ASIAN COUNTRIES ULAANBATAAR, MONGOLIA, 9-11 OCTOBER, 2006 SESSION 1 The Current Status of Strategic Statistical Planning : An Overview Frederick W H HO Facilitator

2. STRATEGIC PLANNING in STATISTICS ASPECTS TO CONSIDER 1) The framework within which planning is performed 2) The planning process 3) The plan 4) The launching and monitoring of plan implementation 5) The mechanism for constantly improving the planningprocess

3. The Framework within which Planning is Performed > political, legal and administrative frameworks – support and commitment > integrationof statistical planning into the national planning mechanism > partners, beneficiaries and stakeholders > consultation and consensus-reaching mechanism

4. The Planning Process > Strategic approach to be advocated –multi-level planning activities: deciding on -- > what are the right things to do; then > how to do those things right > Devising strategies to create a favourable environment for statistical development and operation > Drawing on international standards, recommendations and experiences > Incorporating result-based management principles > Involving relevant parties; invoking consultation and consensus–reaching mechanisms

5. The Plan:areas to address in its contents > Statistical Infrastructure : major features (e.g. registers, classifications, GIS, ICT, human resources) > Programme areas : delineation of the areas and identification of their links > Measures to achieve comprehensiveness and coherence of statistics produced across the entire National Statistical System > Immediate data needs and long-term data needs > Allocation of responsibilities to different levels of action parties; subject matter area; geographical levels > Financial and other resources

6. Launching and Monitoring of Plan Implementation > Change Management > Monitoring and control mechanism > Adjustments made as necessary > Planning performance indicators > Feedback channels

7. The Mechanism for Constantly Improving the Planning Process > Good documentation : learning from own experience > Learning from other countries > Knowledge Management – Knowledge depository Knowledge sharing Knowledge creation

8. THE CURRENT STATUS OF STRATEGIC STATISTICAL PLANNING The Framework within which Planning is Performed > Political support and commitment is generally secured (but not strong enough, or not in sufficiently solid form) > Legal backing of statistical activities is available (and statistical laws are being strengthened) > Statistics are gradually being accepted as public goods, not just instrument of government administration (but further advocacy efforts are still needed) > Ministries’ needs are generally well taken on board (although “statistical planning” is not necessarily “integrated into the national process” ) > UN’s Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics and IMF’s GDDS and SDDS serve well as anchors for planning activities

9. THE CURRENT STATUS OF STRATEGIC STATISTICAL PLANNING The Planning Process >The need to create a favourable environment for statistical activities is well recognized >Stakeholders’ interests are generally well taken account of >International standards, recommendations and experiences are well applied > Result-based management principles is generally adopted (there is much opportunity to exploit cost saving techniques) >There is general recognition that sound statistical infrastructure is pre-requisite to statistical development (i.e. piece-meal improvements are not of much use)

10. THE CURRENT STATUS OF STRATEGIC STATISTICAL PLANNING The Plan: areas to be addressed in its contents > Statistical infrastructures are being strengthened (enhancement of statistical human resources is a major concern) > Relevance and quality of statistics are being given great attention > Achievement of comprehensiveness and coherence of statistics produced across the entire NSS is being made a definite goal (but this is a very tough task) > Split of statistical responsibilities among ministries andbetween the centre and local levels is a subject of constant debate and a source of problems (centralization vs decentralization; use of administrative records as data source)

11. THE CURRENT STATUS OF STRATEGIC STATISTICAL PLANNING Launching and Monitoring of Plan Implementation > Making sure that the plan is actually implemented both in spirit and in practical terms is not easy – >> the need is well recognized; >> a demanding task; >> countries are attempting to create and try out mechanisms to tackle this

12. THE CURRENT STATUS OF STRATEGIC STATISTICAL PLANNING The Mechanism for Constantly Improving the Planning Process > Countries are trying their best to benefit from previousexperience in planning and to learn from other countries >> Knowledge management skills are employed >> Much room for enhanced international cooperation

13. Thank You