8 th OG Meeting, BAKU Chapter 9: Data Dissemination Mr. Robert Maluta Kwinda Deputy Director

Covered.. Recommendations from 7 th OG Meeting Summary of revised Chapter 9 sections Approach to further improving the content

OG 7 Recommendations to Chapter 9 At its 7 th meeting, the Oslo Group – Recommended to include more practical examples throughout the chapter on specific topics in data dissemination.. Recommended the inclusion of more text on confidentiality. It also recommended that the content in IRES be considered. In recognition of the importance of meeting user needs and ensuring that all user needs are met, the Group suggested that some text should be added to give some guidance and country examples on this topic. Recommended that some text and possible country example on the following topics: · revision of data; · release schedule and pre-release · dissemination of micro-data, particularly in relation to confidentiality issues. · format of the disseminated data (e.g. figures, tables, etc.) · risk of disclosure when using new technology to disseminate data. · data exchange format, SDMX

OG 7 Recommendations to Chapter 9 Cont.. Took note of the fact that some countries have establish Twitter-account related to their energy statistics but baring in mind that twitter/facebook bring new challenges with regard to disclosure and confidentiality. Recommended the inclusion of some text on the international dissemination strategies and how these can be relevant for energy statistics. Encouraged members of the Oslo Groups to provide more country examples in order to provide information on how the dissemination is done in various countries. Recognised that institutions other than the national statistical offices can be in charge of the dissemination of energy statistics. In this regard, the Group suggested to review the text does not refer exclusively to statistical offices.

Revised sections of the Chapter

Section 1. Overview of the Chapter SOME KEY POINTS Provides a description/definition of data dissemination Makes reference to the UN’s fundamental principles of official statistics Outlines/Introduces key dimensions of an effective data dissemination system, Viz,  Reference period;  Dissemination Schedule;  Confidentiality;  Revision Policy;  Dissemination Format and Access; and  Meeting User Needs

Section 2. Reference period SOME KEY POINTS Provides a description/definition of a reference period in statistical terms Should be distinguished from the publication time, the period or point in time at which the statistical data are published Reference period can be a calendar year (reference year), a fiscal year, a semester, a quarter, a month and even a day. Some data, like population variables, relate to one specific time, a reference time point (e.g. a specific day, population on the 1st of January). Calendar based reference period is recommended (Gregorian calendar) for international comparability of statistical data

Section 3. Dissemination schedule SOME KEY POINTS Statistical Agencies should issue advance press releases to the media The schedule for issuing press releases on regular series of statistics for each calendar year should be announced well in advance in the preceding year, a month and even a day (for monthly or daily releases). The schedule should distributed to the media and also made known to the general public on the website of the Statistical Agency. Calendar based reference period is recommended (Gregorian calendar) to allow for international comparability All releases should be made exactly on the scheduled dates unless severe preventative circumstances prevail Embargo times should be strictly adhered to In exceptional cases, designated state figures (personnel) may be allowed advance access within prescribed protocols.

Section 4. Confidentiality SOME KEY POINTS A description of confidentiality is outlined first Confidentiality is of national importance, and is also becoming international due to globalization of energy markets, among other things Recommended confidentiality measures for data storage and processing described Recommended confidentiality measures for data transfer described

Section 5. Revision policy SOME KEY POINTS Revisions are determined by a variety of factors E.g Conceptual changes; Improvement of algorithms relating to methodological procedures; Change in statistical data sources ; Inclusion of additional observations; etc Two main types of revisions described Routine, normal or concurrent revisions; Major or special revisions ; and Importance of a revision is emphasised Importance of a revision schedule is also emphasised Documentation of effected revisions and their impact on the overall statistics also critical

Section 6. Dissemination and Access SOME KEY POINTS Various forms of publications/dissemination are describes: Issuing of press releases which contain statistics of common interest to the general public; Release of statistical publications; providing statistical data and methodologies in greater detail; Production of CD-ROM products for distribution to key users and subscribers; Online Interactive Systems which enables data users to build statistical tables to their own specific requirements through a simple and user friendly step-by-step process; Provision of data enquiry service, including customised data tabulation service, for users requiring specific data. Statistical Agencies are encouraged to make releases in as many formats as possible. To expedite data transfer for publication it is recommended that countries use the Statistical Data and Metadata Exchange (SDMX) format, if possible, for possible for the exchange and sharing of their data.

Section 7. Meeting user needs SOME KEY POINTS User needs must be properly identified, synthesised, understood and prioritised to be met. Users invariably have a long list of statistical needs, and every effort should be made to guide users to identify their priorities. User needs and priorities are always changing and tracking of the changes is vital Consultations and discussions with users should aim to establish, among other things; -how they use statistics in their operations and availability of required statistics and how they may have been constrained by lack of adequate statistics; -their assessment of the adequacy of existing statistics in terms of relevance, accuracy, consistency, completeness, timeliness, level of disaggregation (geographic, product type, etc.) and accessibility; -their current and perceived future statistical needs and priorities and where there are gaps; Online user satisfaction surveys

Conclusion Practical examples were recommended and are still being thought about Most of the OG 7 recommendations have been incorporated Assistance is thought from contributing counties Support from OG members in enhancing the text will be highly appreciated

Comments & discussion National Department of Energy Republic South Africa