Strategic Advisory Body for the Modernization of Statistical Production and Services in Asia and the Pacific (SAB-AP)

Transcription

1 Strategic Advisory Body for the Modernization of Statistical Production and Services in Asia and the Pacific (SAB-AP) Fourth meeting, virtual, 2 December 2014 REPORT OF THE MEETING 1. The fourth meeting of the SAB-AP was held virtually using WebEx on 2 December The main agenda items were reports and discussion on work undertaken by the Modernisation Working Group (MWG) and a brief update on the International Conference on Big Data for Official Statistics. The meeting was chaired by Mr Trevor Sutton (Australia), Chair of the SAB-AP. The participant list is attached in Annex I and the agenda in Annex II. 2. The meeting was opened by Mr Trevor Sutton. He welcomed members to the meeting. I. Minutes and Action Items 3. Mr Sutton noted action items from the previous meeting were all reported as completed, as indicated in Annex II. II. Report on Modernisation Working Group questionnaire 4. Ms Helen Baird presented the results of the Modernisation Working Group questionnaire. The questionnaire was sent to 58 countries in October. Sixteen responses were received. These responses were evenly spread across the five sub regions. The questionnaire aimed to gauge modernisation readiness of countries in Asia and the Pacific, and results will be used to support the creation of an advocacy strategy. 5. The results of the questionnaire and some research undertaken by the MWG highlighted a number of opportunities for the SAB-AP to influence modernisation work in the region. Eighteen countries have national strategies which are either expired or will expire in the coming two years. There is a great opportunity to influence these countries to include work on modernization in their next national strategies. The level of knowledge of global modernization agenda was found to be good at senior levels, but decreased in middle and more junior levels. A modernisation champion is a person who promotes modernisation within an organisation. Only seven countries had identified a champion. The identification of a champion within NSOs is important to ensure that there is a focus on modernization activities. There is an opportunity to describe the role of such a champion and encourage countries in the region to identify one.

2 Many countries expressed a desire to know more about the standards (GSBPM, GSIM, CSPA, DDI and SDMX). It would be a quick win to repurpose existing material and circulate it to increase regional knowledge. Budget and capability (in terms of staff numbers and skills) in the organisations were noted as barriers. These are key areas to focus on in the advocacy strategy. 6. The members noted that the survey was a good piece of work. The low response rate for the survey was discussed. UNESCAP was asked to follow up with the countries in order to increase the response rate. Countries who have already responded are welcome to provide further input. 7. The survey shows that there is some movement in modernisation work within the region. It provides insight into some of the challenges and barriers being faced. Given this information, the SAB-AP need to consider how they can support countries in overcoming them. Action Item 1: UNESCAP to promote response to the questionnaire with countries in the region. Action Item 2: SAB-AP members to reflect on what support could be provided to the Modernisation Working Group and countries in the region before the next meeting. III. Implementing GSBPM - case study from Viet Nam 8. The case study from Viet Nam will be presented at the next SAB-AP meeting. Action Item 3: GSBPM case study from Viet Nam to be presented at the next SAB-AP meeting. IV. Implementing GSBPM - case study from Malaysia 9. Ms Habsah Salleh presented the case study from Malaysia. The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) has an integrated statistical system framework for common system across the organization. The GSBPM is being used in the National Enterprise-Wide Statistical System (NEWSS) which includes designing, processing, collecting, analysing, interpreting and disseminating activities. Staff from across the organization will be included in the initiatives of modernization of statistical products and services, particularly in adopting the GSBPM in every statistical business process. DOSM is committed to standardize its production environment and will continue to expand and improve its common toolbox based on the needs of the surveys carried out. V. Discussion on MWG work program 10. Mr Sutton proposed that the work undertaken by the MWG could be showcased in an e-newletter. This e-newletter could include information on the standards, the GSBPM

3 case studies, survey results and encourage further response to the questionnaire. The members supported the proposed newsletter which will be created on the existing wiki ( 11. The members noted that the newsletter is an opportunity to encourage others to share good practices and experiences. An online discussion forum could also be set up on the wiki to facilitate this. The newsletter should be targeted to all staff in the statistical organisations, not just senior management. In order to help staff continue on journey of modernisation, involvement and awareness is needed from all levels in an organisation. 12. Ms Rikke Munk Hansen noted that the work of SAB-AP could be further promoted in the quarterly Asia-Pacific Statistics Newsletter. Action Item 4: MWG to prepare newsletter for circulation at end of January. Action Item 5: UNESCAP to promote the work on modernization in the Asia-Pacific Statistics Newsletter. VI. Report on International Conference on Big Data for Official Statistics 13. Mr Sutton gave a brief update on the International Conference on Big Data for Official Statistics. There is much interest in and work being undertaken regarding big data. Some 57 big data projects were identified in statistical organisations. The Global Working Group on Big Data has a focus on developing statistical systems. Initial ideas include work on mobile phone and satellite data as well as the possibility of setting up a big data sandbox for the region. VII. Meeting close 14. Mr Sutton thanked the members for attending and the MWG for their achievements since starting work. Action Responsible Due Date 1 Promote response to the questionnaire UNESCAP 31 January 2015 with countries in the region. 2 Reflect on what support could be SAB-AP members Next SAB-AP meeting provided to the Modernisation Working Group and countries in the region. 3 GSBPM case study from Viet Nam to be Viet Nam Next SAB-AP meeting presented at the next SAB-AP meeting. 4 Prepare SAB-AP newsletter to be Modernisation 31 January 2015 circulated in January 2015 Working Group 5 Promote the work on modernization through the Asia-Pacific Statistics Newsletter UNESCAP March 2015

4 Annex I: List of participants at the fourth meeting of the SAB-AP on 2 December LIST OF PARTICIPANTS MEMBERS AUSTRALIA Mr Trevor Sutton, Deputy Australian Statistician, Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Canberra Ms Helen Baird, Director, Enterprise Data Management Environment, ABS, Hobart Ms Thérèse Lalor, Assistant Director, International Collaboration, ABS, Canberra INDIA Dr T C A Anant, Chief Statistician and Secretary, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, New Delhi MALAYSIA Dr Abdul Rahman Bin Hasan, Chief Statistician Malaysia, Department of Statistics, Putrajaya, Malaysia Ms Habsah Salleh, Director, Data Coordination Division, Department of Statistics Malaysia, Putrajaya PAKISTAN Mr Asif Bajwa, Chief Statistician, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, Islamabad REPUBLIC OF KOREA Mr. Yeonok CHOI, Director General, Bureau of the Informatics and Service, Statistics Korea, Daejeon SINGAPORE Ms Wong Wee Kim, Chief Statistician, Department of Statistics, Singapore United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) Ms Rikke Munk Hansen, Chief, Economic and Environment Statistics Section (EES), Statistics Division (SD) Mr Eric Hermouet, Head, Statistical Data Management (SDMU), SD Mr Marko Javorsek, Associate Statistician, EES, SD

5 Annex II: Agenda of the fourth meeting of the SAB-AP on 15 September 2014 Strategic Advisory Body for the Modernisation of Statistical Production and Services in Asia and the Pacific (SAB-AP) 2 December 2014, Venue: Virtual meeting AGENDA # Agenda Item Delegate Papers Welcome, Opening Remarks and Introduction Mr Trevor Sutton 1 Acceptance of minutes from last meeting Review of action items 2 Report on Modernisation Working Group (10 minutes) questionnaire 3 Implementing GSBPM - case study from Viet Nam (10 minutes) 4 Implementing GSBPM - case study from Malaysia (10 minutes) 5 Discussion on MWG work program - comments (15 minutes) on progress, direction for 2015, resourcing 6 Report on International Conference on Big Data (5 minutes) for Official Statistics Mr Trevor Sutton Ms Helen Baird (Australia) Mr Do Ngoc Ha (Viet Nam) Ms Habsah Salleh (Malaysia) SAB-AP members Mr Trevor Sutton Table of Action Items # Action Responsible Status 1 Provide comments on the draft report to the CST to Marko Javorsek (javorsek@un.org). 2 Provide comments and suggested improvements to the MWG questionnaire to Marko Javorsek (javorsek@un.org) and Helen Baird (helen.baird@abs.gov.au) 3 Provide suggestions on how to ensure organisational engagement for the questionnaire from responding organisations to Marko Javorsek and Helen Baird. 4 Determine timing of the fourth SAB-AP meeting Chair DONE Early October 5 Identify a better technical solution for the next meeting Australia, UNESCAP DONE Prior to fourth SAB- AP meeting