ADB/ESCAP Pilot Project: Implementation of Global SDMX Data Structure Definitions in Asia-Pacific Region - Putting SDMX into practice MSIS, Manila, April 2014 Artur Andrysiak, Statistician Denis Ward, Consultant Asian Development Bank

Overview SDMX background Asia – Pacific pilot project  Background  Objectives  Scope and focus  Implementation Consultation aims: Country and SDMX partners Consultation outcomes to date: Country and SDMX partners Need for a structured implementation process

Background: SDMX Many international organizations collect statistics from NSOs, CBs, MoFs and other line ministries in Asia-Pacific region Data collection is often complex and inefficient: multiplicity of data flows between organisations; reliant on use of questionnaires; often results in a loss of metadata Statistical Data and Metadata Exchange (SDMX) standards and guidelines provide a standard way to describe data and metadata as part of an exchange and allows information systems from separate organizations to “talk to each other” Use of SDMX can significantly improve the efficiency of data and metadata exchange from perspectives of both data providers and data users

Background: Pilot Project Need for work in this area arose out of: deliberations of ESCAP Committee on Statistics (2012); and outcomes of MSIS (2013) Currently limited capacity in the region in the area of SDMX SDMX recognized as one of the key priority areas – network of experts to be established Recent adoption of global DSDs for BoP and National Accounts helped provide impetus for a regional initiative In response, ADB and UNESCAP initiated a Pilot Project: Putting SDMX into practice to improve efficiency of data/metadata exchanges between statistical organizations

Pilot Project: Objectives Promote the use of SDMX standard and guidelines among NSSs in Asia-Pacific region Build regional capacities in applying SDMX to improve [among other things] the efficiency of data and metadata exchange across the region for both developed and developing countries  Required tools will be developed or adapted from existing SDMX implementations (web services, national SDMX data repository tools and/or mapping tools, DSDs, MSDs)  Link into existing networks

Pilot Project: Scope and focus Statistical domain scope will be indicators collected by ADB for the preparation of statistical publication Key indicators for Asia and the Pacific and related data products Initial focus of pilot will be based on global SDMX DSDs for BoP and National Accounts Participating countries (NSOs, CBs, other parts of NSSs): Malaysia, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand (with the later two playing the roles of technical advisors, as they already have systems that are SDMX enabled) Project will extend over 2014

Pilot Project: Implementation Literature review of existing SDMX documentation – websites, presentations, etc Country consultations to obtain national perspectives on SDMX implementation Consultations with key SDMX partners on identified SDMX implementation issues Identification of relevant SDMX implementation tools Capacity development Technical assistance – including adaptation of systems Knowledge sharing – Virtual networks Discussions still continuing

Country consultations Aims To obtain picture of national understanding of SDMX and its possible use(s) across NSS: data/metadata exchange; dissemination; data warehousing Identify [possible] national implementation objectives Identify statistical, IT and institutional barriers to implementation Identify national capacity development needs and options for delivery To identify interest in participating in virtual SDMX network Scope for possible jointly developed action plans/work plans for SDMX implementation – with structured implementation steps Want perspectives of both developed and developing countries

SDMX partner consultations Aims Identify relevant implementation tools that could be used by heterogeneous group of countries in A-P region Availability of documentation, training options Obtain a feel of the relevance of the tools developed by sponsoring agencies for countries in region [developed and developing] Understanding of interoperability of the tools Access tools: initially for pilot project; subsequently by other countries in region

Outcomes: Issues from national perspective identified to date Knowledge of SDMX is partial and fragmented There are a range of issues need to be considered beforehand by national agencies  Objectives of SDMX implementation  What statistical domains to include  Who would be the main drivers within organisation / across NSS  Implementation barriers to capacity development  Current proposed IT environment – linkage issues  Current metadata environment Heterogeneity across Asia-Pacific region in terms of development, etc. No one-size fits all solution How / where to start? Need for structured process for capacity development

Outcomes: SDMX related issues (1) A wide range of SDMX implementations have been developed by sponsoring agencies and national agencies using SDMX standards and guidelines Most relevant and comprehensive sets of tools for multi- statistical domains identified to date are:  Eurostat’s SDMX-RI  IMF’ s SDDS+ and ODP (with AfDB) Need to further clarify issues related to systems compatibility and systems requirements for these tools.

Outcomes: SDMX related issues (2) Available SDMX information / resources, partial, fragmented – need for Global SDMX Registry paramount – [Virtual network?] Information on SDMX artifacts needs to reach a broader audience at national level involved in implementation More information on existing SDMX tools – especially on issues such as interoperability Better articulation of current and future SDMX development activities Need for coordinated development of global DSDs / MSDs

Need for more structured implementation process To make use of existing SDMX resources – perhaps more clearly structured [work with partner organisations to achieve] Country implementation processes envisaged could entail:  Step 1: Acquisition of an understanding of key SDMX artifacts by national agencies in both developed and developing countries  Step 2: Articulation of issues to be considered by countries prior to embarking on SDMX implementation  Step 3: Identification of SDMX implementation barriers – IT, statistical, institutional  Step 4: Determining which set(s) of implementation tools to use based on needs, level of development, etc  Step 5: Capacity development: National; support from national partner organisations / I/Os  Step 6: Access and use of relevant SDMX implementation tools [How?]  Step 7: Participation in virtual SDMX network [Link to global networks]

Thank you