Eurostat/UNSD Conference on International Outreach and Coordination in National Accounts for Sustainable

Development and Growth6-8 May, Luxembourg

These Luxembourg Recommendations have been prepared for consideration by the Intersecretariat These Luxembourg Recommendations have been prepared for consideration by the Intersecretariat Working Group on National Accounts (ISWGNA) as an input into the process of drafting the strategy Working Group on National Accounts (ISWGNA) as an input into the process of drafting the strategy for implementation of the SNA following the consensus reached by the participants in the for implementation of the SNA following the consensus reached by the participants in the Eurostat/UNSD Conference on International Outreach and Coordination in National Accounts for Eurostat/UNSD Conference on International Outreach and Coordination in National Accounts for Sustainable Development and Growth held in Sustainable Development and Growth held in Luxembourg from 6 to 8 May 2008.Luxembourg from 6 to 8 May 2008.

Luxembourg RecommendationsLuxembourg RecommendationsOn On

Global Implementation and Outreach Global Implementation and Outreach for the System of National Accountsfor the System of National Accounts

(LRs@SNA)(LRs@SNA)

OutlineOutline

PurposePurpose BackgroundBackground In response to Commission’s requestIn response to Commission’s request Main elements for Luxembourg RecommendationsMain elements for Luxembourg Recommendations ObjectivesObjectives Recent DevelopmentsRecent Developments StakeholdersStakeholders Strategic planning principleStrategic planning principle Recommendation 1 – Strategic planning frameworksRecommendation 1 – Strategic planning frameworks Coordination, monitoring and reporting principleCoordination, monitoring and reporting principle Recommendation 2 – Coordination, monitoring and reportingRecommendation 2 – Coordination, monitoring and reporting Global governanceGlobal governance Recommendation 3 – Global governanceRecommendation 3 – Global governance Statistical system improvement principleStatistical system improvement principle Recommendation 4 – National statistical capacity buildingRecommendation 4 – National statistical capacity building SNA Knowledge Platform: statistics, information technology and management SNA Knowledge Platform: statistics, information technology and management Recommendation 5 – SNA knowledge platform: statistics, information Recommendation 5 – SNA knowledge platform: statistics, information

technology and managementtechnology and management Expected OutcomesExpected Outcomes Way forward in 2008 based on Luxembourg RecommendationsWay forward in 2008 based on Luxembourg Recommendations

PurposePurposeMain principles and recommendations Main principles and recommendations

for: for: Global programme on implementation Global programme on implementation

and outreach for the System of National and outreach for the System of National Accounts and related economic statisticsAccounts and related economic statistics

BackgroundBackground

The Statistical Commission adopted Volume 1 of The Statistical Commission adopted Volume 1 of the 2008 System of National Accounts (SNA) as the the 2008 System of National Accounts (SNA) as the latest recommendations for compiling and latest recommendations for compiling and reporting on National Accountsreporting on National Accounts

The Commission underscored the role of the SNA The Commission underscored the role of the SNA as a coordinating framework for economic statistics as a coordinating framework for economic statistics on:on:• ProductionProduction• ConsumptionConsumption• AccumulationAccumulation

The Commission expressed need for strengthening The Commission expressed need for strengthening statistical capacity in developing countries for statistical capacity in developing countries for national accounts and related economic statistics.national accounts and related economic statistics.

In response to Commission’s In response to Commission’s requestrequest

Conference on International Outreach and Conference on International Outreach and Coordination in National Accounts for Sustainable Coordination in National Accounts for Sustainable Growth and DevelopmentGrowth and Development

The Luxembourg Recommendations on Global The Luxembourg Recommendations on Global Implementation and Outreach for the System of Implementation and Outreach for the System of National Accounts (LRs@SNA)National Accounts (LRs@SNA)

Main Elements for Luxembourg Main Elements for Luxembourg RecommendationsRecommendations

Approach - Managing for results Approach - Managing for results PrinciplesPrinciples

• Strategic planningStrategic planning• Coordination, monitoring and reportingCoordination, monitoring and reporting• Improving statistical systemsImproving statistical systems

Possible governance structure – ICP Possible governance structure – ICP ProgrammeProgramme

ObjectivesObjectives Promoting international coordination Promoting international coordination

among development partnersamong development partners Implementing regional programmes, Implementing regional programmes,

guidelines, procedures for implementationguidelines, procedures for implementation Strengthening national statistical capacity Strengthening national statistical capacity

in National Accounts and related basic in National Accounts and related basic statisticsstatistics

Advocating use of national accounts and Advocating use of national accounts and statistics in general, for policy purposesstatistics in general, for policy purposes

Recent DevelopmentsRecent Developments Adoption of updated System of National Accounts Adoption of updated System of National Accounts

• Better compliance over more countriesBetter compliance over more countries• Improved scope of dataImproved scope of data• Enhanced qualityEnhanced quality

Harmonization efforts with respect to standards:Harmonization efforts with respect to standards:• International Standard Industrial Classification of All International Standard Industrial Classification of All

Economic Activities (ISIC Rev. 4)Economic Activities (ISIC Rev. 4)• Central Product Classification (CPC Ver. 2)Central Product Classification (CPC Ver. 2)• Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Balance of Payments and International Investment Position

Manual (BPM6)Manual (BPM6)• System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA), System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA),

forthcomingforthcoming• Etc.Etc.

StakeholdersStakeholders National governmentsNational governments National Statistical Offices and other providers of National Statistical Offices and other providers of

official statisticsofficial statistics National and Regional Central BanksNational and Regional Central Banks UN Regional CommissionsUN Regional Commissions Regional development banksRegional development banks National and Regional Statistical Training InstitutionsNational and Regional Statistical Training Institutions Other regional agencies and institutionsOther regional agencies and institutions International AgenciesInternational Agencies International Community of DonorsInternational Community of Donors Users of national accounts data for policy purposesUsers of national accounts data for policy purposes

Strategic Planning PrincipleStrategic Planning Principle Strategic planning frameworks for statistical capacity Strategic planning frameworks for statistical capacity

building in national accounts and related economic building in national accounts and related economic statistics to guide statistical capacity buildingstatistics to guide statistical capacity building• Common information set with national and regional Common information set with national and regional

objectives and programmed actions based on analysis of objectives and programmed actions based on analysis of strengths and weaknesses of existing statistical strengths and weaknesses of existing statistical systems.systems.

• Best practices exist like National Strategy for the Best practices exist like National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) , United Nations Development of Statistics (NSDS) , United Nations development Assistance Frameworks (UNDAF), General development Assistance Frameworks (UNDAF), General Data Dissemination System (GDDS) and regional Data Dissemination System (GDDS) and regional frameworks like Reference Regional Strategic frameworks like Reference Regional Strategic Framework (RRSF), etc. Framework (RRSF), etc.

• Alignment with other international standards Alignment with other international standards frameworks and international classifications such as frameworks and international classifications such as BPM, SEEA, ISIC, CPCBPM, SEEA, ISIC, CPC

Recommendation 1 – Strategic Recommendation 1 – Strategic Planning FrameworksPlanning Frameworks

1.1 1.1 Strategic planning framework to be formulated for national statistical Strategic planning framework to be formulated for national statistical capacity in national accounts and other economic statistics, and to be capacity in national accounts and other economic statistics, and to be integrated with balance of payments, government finance statistics and integrated with balance of payments, government finance statistics and environmental accounting and statistics, etc.environmental accounting and statistics, etc.

1.2 1.2 The above framework to be a component of the National Strategy for The above framework to be a component of the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) to be regularly updated and to be the Development of Statistics (NSDS) to be regularly updated and to be consistent with GDDS and other reference frameworks of the country.consistent with GDDS and other reference frameworks of the country.

1.3 National, regional and international strategies on economic statistics to be 1.3 National, regional and international strategies on economic statistics to be synchronized. synchronized.

1.41.4 International, regional and country actions to be determined by International, regional and country actions to be determined by information obtained from strategic planning frameworks and other mechanisms information obtained from strategic planning frameworks and other mechanisms put in place.put in place.

1.51.5 Further alignments have to be pursued according to various Further alignments have to be pursued according to various frameworks (such as the RRSF in Africa and ECLAC’s strategic plan 2005-2015)frameworks (such as the RRSF in Africa and ECLAC’s strategic plan 2005-2015)

Coordination, monitoring and Coordination, monitoring and reporting principlereporting principle

International levelInternational level• Develop compilation guidanceDevelop compilation guidance• Organize procedures and assessments of processOrganize procedures and assessments of process• Align with other international standards frameworks and international Align with other international standards frameworks and international

classifications such as BPM, SEEA, ISIC, CPCclassifications such as BPM, SEEA, ISIC, CPC Regional levelRegional level

• Maintain relationship with global governance structureMaintain relationship with global governance structure• Develop and maintain regional programmes, guidelines, procedures Develop and maintain regional programmes, guidelines, procedures

including South-South cooperation in particularincluding South-South cooperation in particular• Organize timely, appropriate technical assistanceOrganize timely, appropriate technical assistance• Monitor – financial and technical aspectsMonitor – financial and technical aspects

National levelNational level• Collaborate with development partnersCollaborate with development partners• Establish governance structures for implementation (including national Establish governance structures for implementation (including national

coordinator for national statistical system)coordinator for national statistical system)• Establish donor coordination group for statistics (example Mali)Establish donor coordination group for statistics (example Mali)• Ensure effective use of resourcesEnsure effective use of resources• Harmonize with government budgeting for maximum effectHarmonize with government budgeting for maximum effect• Guarantee accountability Guarantee accountability • Dialogue between users and producersDialogue between users and producers

RecommendationRecommendation 2 – Coordination, 2 – Coordination, monitoring and reportingmonitoring and reporting

2.1 Regional Commissions in collaboration with other regional partners to play a 2.1 Regional Commissions in collaboration with other regional partners to play a pivotal role in the coordination, monitoring, reporting and maintenance of existing pivotal role in the coordination, monitoring, reporting and maintenance of existing coordination mechanisms, avoiding parallel systems.coordination mechanisms, avoiding parallel systems.

2.2 The above with the aim of enhancing efficiency of technical cooperation 2.2 The above with the aim of enhancing efficiency of technical cooperation programmes and alignment with national commitments for development of official programmes and alignment with national commitments for development of official statistics.statistics.

2.3 Current regional mechanisms for SNA implementation should be analyzed, 2.3 Current regional mechanisms for SNA implementation should be analyzed, aligned and mobilized.aligned and mobilized.

2.4 National donor groups on statistics (to be created, if necessary) to play a role in 2.4 National donor groups on statistics (to be created, if necessary) to play a role in improving coordination, monitoring and reporting in statistical capacity building.improving coordination, monitoring and reporting in statistical capacity building.

2.5 National statistical institutes or other agreed coordinator to play a coordinating 2.5 National statistical institutes or other agreed coordinator to play a coordinating role for national statistical system to enhance effectiveness.role for national statistical system to enhance effectiveness.

2.6 South-South cooperation to be further developed.2.6 South-South cooperation to be further developed.

Global governanceGlobal governanceRelating to:Relating to: National implementation programme: National implementation programme:

• Inputs of development partnersInputs of development partners• Staffing and financingStaffing and financing• Deliverables and outcomesDeliverables and outcomes

Country and regional progress against agreed Country and regional progress against agreed benchmarks:benchmarks:• ComplianceCompliance• QualityQuality• ScopeScope

RecommendationRecommendation 3 – Global 3 – Global governancegovernance

3.1 Global governance structure to be created to develop 3.1 Global governance structure to be created to develop coordination, monitoring and reporting procedures, avoiding coordination, monitoring and reporting procedures, avoiding duplication, to assess performance of the implementation duplication, to assess performance of the implementation programme itself as well as progress of countries/regions against programme itself as well as progress of countries/regions against set benchmarks.set benchmarks.

3.2 Global governance structure to be established taking the 3.2 Global governance structure to be established taking the structure of the latest ICP round as a possible model structure of the latest ICP round as a possible model (coordination by a global office, regional implementation offices, (coordination by a global office, regional implementation offices, technical advisory groups, etc.).technical advisory groups, etc.).

3.3 Establish agreed modular structures and make use of 3.3 Establish agreed modular structures and make use of classifications for international, regional and national statistical classifications for international, regional and national statistical capacity programmes including quality assessments. capacity programmes including quality assessments.

Statistical System Improvement PrincipleStatistical System Improvement Principle

On implementation of business registers and frames, surveys On implementation of business registers and frames, surveys and use of administrative data, integration frameworks, and use of administrative data, integration frameworks, dissemination, ICT and management, through:dissemination, ICT and management, through:

• Meetings, seminars, workshopsMeetings, seminars, workshops• Technical cooperationTechnical cooperation• Manuals and handbooks, software toolsManuals and handbooks, software tools• Academic and statistical training (including distance learning) Academic and statistical training (including distance learning)

in national accounts in national accounts • Statistical research on new concepts in SNAStatistical research on new concepts in SNA• Advocacy in use of national accounts for evidence based policy Advocacy in use of national accounts for evidence based policy

makingmaking• SNA knowledge platformSNA knowledge platform

RecommendationRecommendation 4 – 4 – National Statistical National Statistical Capacity BuildingCapacity Building

4.14.1 National statistical capacity building in national accounts and National statistical capacity building in national accounts and related economic statistics to be achieved through a unified related economic statistics to be achieved through a unified international, regional and national implementation programme international, regional and national implementation programme including development of statistical infrastructure, sustainable including development of statistical infrastructure, sustainable donor activities, technical assistance, training and application of donor activities, technical assistance, training and application of common software tools e.g. SDMX, Eretes, etc.common software tools e.g. SDMX, Eretes, etc.

4.2 Common training modules in national accounts and related 4.2 Common training modules in national accounts and related basic statistics to be developed for training and retraining of basic statistics to be developed for training and retraining of statisticians in collaboration with regional training and academic statisticians in collaboration with regional training and academic institutions applying advanced media such as those for distance institutions applying advanced media such as those for distance learning.learning.

4.3 4.3 Promotion and adaptation of national accounts data for Promotion and adaptation of national accounts data for policy purposes should underpin strategic planning frameworks policy purposes should underpin strategic planning frameworks and be integrated into statistical capacity building and training and be integrated into statistical capacity building and training programmes.programmes.

SNA Knowledge platform: statistics, SNA Knowledge platform: statistics, information technology and information technology and

managementmanagement Institute “SNA Centres of Competence”Institute “SNA Centres of Competence” Address and reinforce statistical infrastructureAddress and reinforce statistical infrastructure

• Institutional: management and internal policy on Institutional: management and internal policy on data collection, compilation, dissemination, user data collection, compilation, dissemination, user consultation and advisory committees, etcconsultation and advisory committees, etc

• Registers, frames for administrative sources and Registers, frames for administrative sources and statistical surveysstatistical surveys

• Collections through administrative sources and Collections through administrative sources and statistical surveysstatistical surveys

• SNA as integration frameworkSNA as integration framework• Dissemination of statistics and metadata to Dissemination of statistics and metadata to

users users

RecommendationRecommendation 5 – SNA Knowledge 5 – SNA Knowledge platform: statistics, information platform: statistics, information

technology and managementtechnology and management5.1 Knowledge platform to be established on statistical standards, training 5.1 Knowledge platform to be established on statistical standards, training

programmes and best practices, information technology tools and programmes and best practices, information technology tools and management for national statistical systems based on an agreed management for national statistical systems based on an agreed framework.framework.

5.2 International network for economic statistics to be established through 5.2 International network for economic statistics to be established through recognized "Centres of Competence" that provide and maintain the quality recognized "Centres of Competence" that provide and maintain the quality content of the building blocks of the framework and their specialized content of the building blocks of the framework and their specialized modules.modules.

5.3 An inventory of potential "Centres of Competence" should be drawn up.5.3 An inventory of potential "Centres of Competence" should be drawn up.

Expected OutcomesExpected Outcomes Improved national statistical capacityImproved national statistical capacity

• Improved capability for all developing countries Improved capability for all developing countries taking into account different levels developmenttaking into account different levels development

Enhanced quality of statisticsEnhanced quality of statistics• Better conceptual complianceBetter conceptual compliance• Harmonization, improved comparabilityHarmonization, improved comparability

Strengthened coordination, monitoring and reportingStrengthened coordination, monitoring and reporting• Donor to recipient countryDonor to recipient country• Within regionWithin region• Among international agencies, regional bodies, NSOsAmong international agencies, regional bodies, NSOs

More intensive, appropriate use of National Accounts in More intensive, appropriate use of National Accounts in policy making and related researchpolicy making and related research

Way forward in 2008 Way forward in 2008 based on Luxembourg based on Luxembourg

RecommendationsRecommendations Regional Commissions in collaboration with Regional Commissions in collaboration with

regional and national partners formulating regional and national partners formulating regional implementation and outreach regional implementation and outreach programmes for SNA (by October 2008)programmes for SNA (by October 2008)

ISWGNA in collaboration with regional and ISWGNA in collaboration with regional and national partners to draft Global Implementation national partners to draft Global Implementation and Outreach Programme for SNA (by November and Outreach Programme for SNA (by November 20082008

ISWGNA to submit SNA programme to Statistical ISWGNA to submit SNA programme to Statistical Commission (February 2009)Commission (February 2009)