Future design of the roundtable Session 7: „Future of the Roundtable“ Roundtable Steering Group International Roundtable on Business Survey Frames 21 to 26 October 2007

Outline Background and current situation Implemented proposals Proposals to be decided Re-naming the Roundtable Frequency of Roundtable meetings Proposals to be discussed Future role and concerns of the Roundtable Tasks of the steering group Support of developing countries 17.02.2019

Background and current situation Since 1986: 19 Roundtable meetings all over the world 2005: 19th Roundtable in Cardiff Session about the future of the Roundtable Need to better respond to the new challenges Constitution of a steering group consisting of UK, Germany, OECD, Eurostat, US BLS, Turkey, New Zealand and Canada 2006: no Roundtable meeting, but as agreed in Cardiff: Progress reports were collected and summary was published Steering group prepared the Wiesbaden Roundtable 2007: 20th Roundtable in Wiesbaden 17.02.2019

Implemented proposals (I) …by the steering group and the host Convened and helped coordinate the collection of progress reports 2006 Developed links with other relevant international bodies Tried to support attendance by developing countries Ensured coordination with meetings on related topics (e.g. with the joint UNECE/OECD/Eurostat meeting) Assisted the host on matters relating to content (e.g. agenda of the current Roundtable) …by the steering group and all interested participants Input relating to the design of the current Roundtable Opinions concerning the Roundtable future discussion 17.02.2019

Implemented proposals (II) …at the Roundtable 2007 Four meeting days + one multi-purpose day with a workshop for developing countries Limited time for progress reports to start a second session on the first day Parallel sessions on Wednesday instead of a National Day Higher participation rate of developing countries than last years (higher value of the meeting due to the workshop mentioned above) Extension of the Roundtable mailing list 17.02.2019

Proposals to be decided (I) Re-naming the Roundtable “Wiesbaden Group on Business Registers” In January 2007, Roundtable participants were asked their opinion and the predominant part agreed with the change of name: The character of the conference as a UN city group would be reflected in this name and it would fit better in the row of other UN city groups It is a more self-explaining and descriptive name The new name would stress the importance of this group and its focus on business registers At the same time: The good old tradition of the Roundtable would be held up as a matter of fact ! 17.02.2019

Proposals to be decided (II) Frequency of Roundtable meetings Every second year alternating with the joint UNECE/OECD/Eurostat meetings Collection of progress reports in intermediate years UNECE/OECD/Eurostat meeting in 2009, Roundtable in 2008 / 2010? The steering groups of the two meetings should work closely together to prepare the meetings (harmonisation of contents)  a merger of the two steering groups could be reflected ? 17.02.2019

Proposals to be discussed (I) Future role and concerns of the Roundtable Description of the UNSD: “…forum for the exchange of views and experiences…related to the development, maintenance and use of business registers…informal body…mandate does not emanate from a formal body…recommendations to a formal body (e.g. Statistical Commission)” Roundtable as global forum on business registers Level of relevance and scope: balance between the different levels? How to generate a profile attracting all? Visible output (papers on the website, reports and conclusions,…)? Focus on the exchange of experiences and views from the national perspective Generator of forward looking strategies 17.02.2019

Proposals to be discussed (II) Tasks of the Roundtable steering group More than coordination and preparation of the next meeting: Raising the profile of the Roundtable, increasing training and development Composition of the Roundtable steering group Which countries / institutions are willing to work in the steering group? Greater support for developing countries Possibilities? Funding? Sponsoring? 17.02.2019

And the next Roundtable / Wiesbaden Group? 17.02.2019

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION! YOUR COMMENTS PLEASE 17.02.2019