Session 10 Added:
Governance Structure for
2008 SNA and Related EcoStat
Implementation
Giovanni Savio and Majed Skaini, SD, UN-ESCWA
Seminar on the implementation of SNA 2008 in ESCWA Region
Muscat, 23 – 26 May 2010
Governance Structure
 In order to respond to the challenge of improving the status of
NA and, more in general, EcoStat in the region, a range of
interventions by the various players is required
 An important element of the overall strategy is the
governance structure
 A regional implementation strategy is needed to support
sound macroeconomic management and evidence-based
policy formulation through a sustained regionally and
internationally consistent process of compilation and reporting
of NA
 In this respect, ESCWA has proposed to the attention of the
MCs a regional governance structure to closely follow,
support and foster the implementation of 2008 SNA and the
related Action Plan
Governance Structure
 The governance structure will be part of the Action Plan that
will be submitted for approval to the next Session of the
ESCWA Statistical Committee, October 2010
 It closely resembles other governance structures developed
for other global projects, such as the International
Comparison Programme
 The plan will also tackle the relevant challenges, such as
financial and human resources required, as well as
coordination and linkage to the overall ESCWA National
Accounts and Economic Statistics activities for the
forthcoming years
 The governance involves a series of actions at both the
regional and national level
Governance Structure: Regional Level
 At the regional level, the ESCWA Statistical Committee, as
the intergovernmental forum with responsibility for statistical
matters in the ESCWA, would have ultimate ownership of the
proposed regional program for the development of economic
statistics and NA
 Its main role would be to provide a forum where the views of
stakeholders could be expressed, to confirm or otherwise
amend the mandate and accountability mechanisms of the
program, and to ensure that the program has adequate
resources
 The Committee meets once every two years in order to
discuss statistical issues and renew its bureau. A Regional
Working Group of the Committee has been established to
meet in years where the Committee itself does not meet
Governance Structure: Regional Level
 The Bureau of the Committee would be given a mandate to
undertake inter-session work that would include making
strategic decisions for the successful and timely
implementation of the program
 A Regional Coordinator, namely a staff of the ESCWA
Secretariat, would manage the day- to-day work of the
program
 The Regional Coordinator will work closely with the Bureau of
the Statistical Committee and National Coordinators to ensure
the successful processing of the implementation strategy
 The regional coordinator would consult with the Chairperson
of the Bureau, report to the Bureau and prepare the annual
work program and budget for approval of the Bureau
Governance Structure: Regional Level
 The Committee could also establish an Advisory Group to
provide guidance to the Bureau and the Secretariat on
methodological and technical issues related to the
development and periodic revision of the program
 The Advisory Group shall consist of members with a high
level of experience and, in such capacity, able of guiding and
supplying member countries with relevant and substantive
support
 The Advisory Group would be composed of high-qualified
regional and international experts
Governance Structure: National Level
 At the country level, the regional program would be carried
out by the National Statistical Offices through a National
Coordinator
 The National Coordinators should preferably be the Chief
Statisticians in National Accounts and Economic Statistics or
their representatives, given the strategic nature of the global
and regional programs and their impact on the national
statistical plans
Governance Structure
Governance Structure
 The success of the regional program would depend on the
collective commitment of all potential international, regional
and national partners in mobilizing adequate financial
resources, providing technical assistance and overall support
in terms of statistical capacity- building initiatives
 The UN-ESCWA, on its side, will support the process by:
 The Regular Budget activities (EGM and Workshops, publications etc.)
 The regular program for technical cooperation (Workshops and
Regional Advisory services)
 Extra-budgetary activities, initiatives oriented towards strengthening
the skills of staffs in the National Statistical Offices of the region,
promoting consultation, exchange of experience and sharing of best
practices (Development Account Project Proposal on Development of
Short-Term Economic Statistics, including QNA)