Workshop on MDG Monitoring United Nations Statistics Division Kampala, 5-8 May 2008 Mechanisms of data reporting from national statistical systems to international agencies: Results of the UNSD survey United Nations Statistics Division

Contents Context Recommendations of the Inter-Agency and Expert Group on MDG Indicators Rationale for the countries’ survey Countries’ survey results Agencies’ survey Conclusions

Rationale The UN Statistical Commission, at its thirty-seventh session (2006), “recognized that the mechanisms for reporting data from national to international statistical systems should be improved”. ECOSOC resolution 2006/6, Strengthening statistical capacity, calls on all international agencies, through the Inter-Agency and Expert Group on Millennium Development Goals Indicators, under the coordination of the United Nations Statistics Division and in accordance with the guidance provided by Member States through the Statistical Commission, to improve the coverage, transparency, and reporting on all indicators in order to enhance the database on all Millennium Development Goals, including through defining priorities and developing a strategy to improve data for all indicators.

Rationale The 10th Meeting of the Inter-Agency and Expert Group on MDG Indicators (IAEG): Recognized the need to improve reporting mechanisms from national statistical systems to and international agencies. Recommended: To strengthen the coordinating role of the NSO To establish a national repository providing a single set of data To identify a focal point inside the national statistical system (i.e. a person or institution designated by the country to receive and respond to all requests of data used for the MDG indicators) To improve data sharing at the international level To involve regional commission in data queries and checking

International agencies National statistical system IAEG recommendations 1. To identify a focal point inside the national statistical system International agencies Data requests Data Focal point Data requests Data National statistical system

International agencies National statistical system IAEG recommendations 2. To improve data sharing at the international level International agencies Data requests Data Focal point Data requests Data National statistical system

International agencies National statistical system IAEG recommendations 3. To involve regional commission in data queries and checking Data queries & checking International agencies Data requests Data Focal point UN Regional Commissions Data requests Data National statistical system

Rationale for the survey In order to assist designing and developing strategies to improve the collection of data for the MDG database, the United Nations Statistics Division prepared a questionnaire for countries asking information about reporting mechanisms from national statistical systems to international agencies.

Questionnaire for countries The questionnaire asks about: Mechanisms of reporting data from national statistical systems to international agencies Measures taken by countries Obstacles to improve reporting mechanisms The questionnaire was first used among countries participating in the 12th IAEG Meeting on MDG Indicators (Nov 2007). The questionnaire is continuously being improved under the guidance of the IAEG.

Survey results - Countries Total number of replies: 14 Responding countries: Botswana Mozambique Cameroon Namibia Ethiopia Sierra Leone Kenya Tanzania Madagascar Uganda Malawi Zambia Mauritius Zimbabwe

Survey results - Countries Focal points at the national level Freq. % Focal point for MDG data requests: 9 64 a. NSO only 5 36 b. Others (Ministries, UNDP) 3 21 c. NSO and Ministry 1 7 No focal point Only 64% of the countries have a focal point. There is a need to promote the establishment of focal points.

Survey results - Countries Focal points at the national level Who receives data requests? NSO Other NSO & other Focal point 1 4 2 Even in countries where there are designated focal points, they are not always well established.

Survey results - Countries Focal points at the national level There is a need to establish and promote the usage of the focal point. To whom should I ask the data? Data producer Focal point for MDG data International agency

Survey results - Countries Requests from international agencies Freq. % NSO was not able to reply to all requests 9 64 - Due to lack of reliable data 4 35 - Because data are not produced by the NSO 2 14 Received duplicated requests from international agencies 7 50 Half of the countries indicate they receive duplicated data requests. There is a need to improve data sharing at the international level to avoid duplication of requests.

Survey results - Countries Measures taken to improve reporting to international agencies Freq. % Developed a national strategy for the development of statistics (NSDS) 4 29 Revised the statistical law 1 7 Established focal points in line ministries Designated a focal point of contact with international agencies on statistical matters Assigned responsibilities in replying to data requests None 3 21

Survey for international agencies Conducted in November 2007 among the international agencies of the IAEG on MDG Indicators. Asked about: Contacts in countries, format of transferred data, sharing of data among international agencies, involvement of regional commissions.

Survey results - Agencies Total number of replies: 17 Responding agencies: CDIAC UNEP-Ozone Secretariat FAO UNEP-WCMC ILO Employment UNESCO/UIS ILO Gender UNICEF IPU WHO HIV ITU WHO TB OECD DAC World Bank UN Population Division WTO UNAIDS

Survey results - Agencies National contacts for data requests Freq. % a. Only NSO 2 12 b. NSO and other 8 47 c. Other 7 41

Survey results - Agencies Use of data available in other international agencies Freq. % Yes 11 65 No 6 35 Coordination with UN regional commissions on data checking and queries Freq. % Yes 1 6 No 16 94

Conclusions of the surveys National focal points for MDG data requests More than 60% of the countries have focal points International agencies do not always use the national focal points for their data requests Role of regional commissions is minimal 65% of international agencies share data with each other, but half the countries indicate they receive duplicated requests.