MGSC/2009/06 Eurostat Strategy for Developing Light Peer Reviews (LPR) for Candidate Countries and Adapted Global Assessments (AGA) for Potential Candidates and ENP-East Countries

E.4MGSC/2009/06 The goal is to develop a strategy of organising peer reviews - similar to those developed for the ESS members but adapted to the specific situations of candidate, potential candidate, and ENP countries.

E.4MGSC/2009/06 Questions to be considered by delegates What is country experience with current review frameworks? How the two proposed approaches (LPR and AGA) can be evaluated regarding –elements covered by the assessment approach? –potential benefits and risks for the reviewed countries?

E.4MGSC/2009/06 Current review frameworks ESS peer reviews (ESS-PR) Traditional global assessment Eurostat annual assessments Institutional coverage National statistical institute National statistical system Topics covered Only horizontal topics (legislation, human resources, IT, governance) Horizontal topics, statistical infrastructure (classifications, etc.) and some sector statistics Horizontal topics, statistical infrastructure and sector statistics; securing regular data delivery is a key element Self-assessment questionnaires Formal part of the process Are not systematically used SMIS+ self-assessments Main purposesBenchmarking against other members of the ESS and identification of best practices Strategic orientation and re-design of statistical system. Basis for master plans and multi-annual work programs. Planning of assistance by donors. Monitoring progress towards EU standards for annual reports. SAp and succession negotiations. Evaluation, planning and coordination of assistance.

E.4MGSC/2009/06 Light Peer Reviews vs. Adapted Global Assessments Light peer reviews (LPRs) –intended for countries with advanced statistical systems that are about to join the EU (candidate countries) –precursors for standard ESS peer reviews Adapted global assessments (AGAs) –adapted to the needs of countries with European perspective or with a stated intention to align their statistical systems to that of the EU

E.4MGSC/2009/06 Light Peer Reviews –Candidate and potential candidate countries –One LPR country mission –Before the LPR mission self-assessment (questionnaire based on the ESS-PR version) specific training on LPR provided to the reviewed countries –Reviewers 2 ESS peers 1-2 observers from group of reviewed countries 1 Eurostat representative –Report to include recommendations for improvement actions covering all principles of the European Code of Practice with a view to future assistance needs; will not include rankings

E.4MGSC/2009/06 Adapted Global Assessments (1) –Mainly for ENP-East, as well as potential candidate countries –Details adapted to the circumstances of the reviewed country and relevant EU policy network regarding scope of elements of traditional global assessment degree of assessment of statistical areas against international standards and/or EU acquis –Sections on legislation, national statistical system, national statistical institute, and statistical domains –Repeated every 4-5 years

E.4MGSC/2009/06 Adapted Global Assessments (2) –Before the AGA mission(s) self-assessment (SMIS+ and/or questionnaire based on the ESS-PR version) specific training on AGA provided to the reviewed countries –Reviewers 2 ESS peers 2 observers from the group of reviewed countries 2 Eurostat representatives –Report to include recommendations for improvement actions with a view to future assistance needs; will not include rankings

E.4MGSC/2009/06 Tentative timetable March 2009MGSC to advise on key elements of the approaches to be taken June 2009CES Plenary meeting in Geneva to discuss key aspects of the approaches June/July 2009EFTA seminar for ENP-East countries on adapted global assessments July 2009Frameworks drafted (draft guidelines and questionnaires) October 2009PGSC to discuss and possibly approve approaches November 2009Training event for countries on how to prepare for such reviews December 2009First LPR conducted in volunteer test country February 2010First AGA conducted in volunteer test country March 2010MGSC consulted on results from the tests April/May- September AGAs and 2-3 LPRs carried out on the basis of the 2010 round of compliance monitoring with SMIS+ October 2010Reporting of results to the PGSC After October 2010Regular conduct of LPRs and AGAs (3 to 5 per year)

E.4MGSC/2009/06 Example: Global Assessment of the National Statistical System of Armenia (1) Currently an ongoing process: –Initiated Autumn 2008 by National Statistical Service of Republic of Armenia –Two missions First mission: 4.5 working days, end-January 2009 Second mission: 2.5 working days, end-March 2009 –Assessment report to be concluded – Spring/Summer 2009 Assessor team: –3 Eurostat representatives –1 ESS peer (EFTA) –3 UNECE representatives

E.4MGSC/2009/06 Example: Global Assessment of the National Statistical System of Armenia (2) Before the assessment missions –Self-assessment included both SMIS+ and adapted self- assessment questionnaire derived from ESS-PR version –No specific training in the country on the overall assessment process –Substantial documentation, including translation of relevant information, requested from the National Statistical Service Assessment missions –Assessor team split in two parallel-working groups –Large number of external producers and users met Assessment report –Equal focus on institutional aspects and statistical domains

E.4MGSC/2009/06 Thank You!