National Statistical Systems – the foundation of the Global Statistical System Stefan Schweinfest

1. Workshop on the organization of National Statistical Systems and user-producer relations for countries in South Asia National Statistical Systems – the foundation of the Global Statistical System Stefan Schweinfest UN Statistics Division Colombo, Sri Lanka 22-24 July 2008

2. Structure of presentation • Driving forces for a Global Statistical System • Elements of the Global Statistical System • Global Statistical System in action • National Statistical Systems as foundation of the Global Statistical System • Future challenges

3. Driving forces for a Global Statistical System • Globalization of the demand for statistics • International organizations (UN Development agenda) • Private sector • Academia • IT revolution • “Division of labour”

4. Global Statistical System??? • Global ? - as opposed to ‘international’ • Statistical ? - official statistics only • System ? - or federation, network, mess

5. Elements of the Global Statistical System • National Statistical Systems • International intergovernmental bodies (e.g. UNSC, CES, Labour Statisticians) • International statistical offices (e.g. UNSD, ECE, ILO etc.) • International statistical associations

6. UN - Elements of the Global Statistical System • UN Statistical Commission • Committee for the Coordination of Statistical Activities • UN Statistics Division

7. UN Statistical Commission History/Mandate: • Started in 1946 • Small (24 members) and technical • Promoting development of national statistics and improvement of comparability • Coordination of statistical work of specialized agencies • Development of statistical services of UN secretariat • Advising UN system on statistical matters • Promoting improvement of statistics and statistical methods generally

8. Committee for the Coordination of Statistical Activities (CCSA) • Since 1966 – reconstituted in 2002; • Meetings twice a year • Participation of over 20 Chief Statisticians (UN System as well as World Bank, IMF, OECD, Regional Development Banks, Eurostat). • “Promote coordination, integration and complementarity among the statistical programmes of the international organizations..” • Principles governing international statistical activities

9. UN Statistics Division • to develop and promote global statistical standards • to collect, analyse and disseminate social, economic, political and environment statistical data • to assist Member States to establish a functioning statistical system • to coordinate and promote global statistical activities and enhance the functioning of the UN Statistical Commission • to support DESA in its multidimensional programme of work on social and economic affairs

10. Global Statistical System in action • Developing statistical standards • Compiling and disseminating global data • Technical cooperation

11. Global Statistical System in action - Standards Concise Oxford Dictionary: STANDARD “weight or measure to which others conform or by which the accuracy or quality of others is judged; thing serving as basis of comparison” Develop “common professional language”.

12. Global Statistical System in action – Standards Challenges: • Need for an integrated presentation of the family of standards • Differentiate normative degrees: Standards, Principles, Recommendations, Manuals etc. • Ensure full legitimacy of global standards (Statistical Commission). • Assist countries in the implementation of standards • Assess degree of compliance with global standards

13. Global Statistical System in action • Make UN databases freely available • Organize international databases to allow searchability and open access • Promote national data dissemination • Build a global data dissemination infrastructure

14. Global Statistical System in action – Technical cooperation • Multitude of bilateral and multilateral projects of cooperation reflect the shared vision of the Global Statistical System and a sense of professional solidarity; • Context of reduced funding: coordination and pooling of resources becomes all the more imperative. • Improve the level of coordination, through • (i) early harmonization of submissions for projects, • (ii) common approach to evaluation of technical cooperation and training activities • (iii) sharing of training and other technical cooperation material.

15. National Statistical Systems as foundation of the Global Statistical System • Many different types of national systems: • Decentralized vs. centralized • high visibility and unique identity vs. part of larger organization • No single “best practice” model for statistical governance • Statistical systems reflect individual country circumstances (historical and cultural) • Common characteristics of successful and effective statistical systems: Credibility, Influence, Responsiveness and Innovativeness.

16. National Statistical Systems as foundation of the Global Statistical System (2) “Credibility and trust is hard to win, but easy to lose” • Internal: • Quality assessment process • Methodological soundness • Professional integrity • External: • International certification and peer reviews • Complying with international standards • Quality assurance programme

17. National Statistical Systems as foundation of the Global Statistical System (Tools) • Fundamental Principles • Adopted by the UN Statistical Commission in 1994 • challenge of the implementation. • Handbook of Statistical Organization (2003) • Topics: statistical law, council, chief statistician, coordination, resource management (financial, human, IT); user communications

18. National Statistical Systems as foundation of the Global Statistical System (Tools) • UNSD Website of good practices • Handbook (revision 4) evolving

19. Future challenges • Governance of the global statistical system (effectiveness, coherence, technical focus) • Better support for the implementation of global standards – ensure compliance • How to tackle new areas? • Organization of an effective global “data traffic” (consistent, transparent, fast) • Better framework for effective technical cooperation at all levels • Development of a comprehensive strategic plan for the Global Statistical System?

20. Thank you!http://unstats.un.org