1. International Statistical System:
Increased accountability

2. Levels of accountability
Member States: setting standards, providing technical assistance & helping to mobilise resources
International community: obtaining & disseminating comparable statistics relevant for policy-making
The public: assuring the quality of disseminated statistics
Each other: collaboration & coordination of activities

3. UN Statistical Commission (UNSC)
Member states elected by ECOSOC
Objectives relating to the ISS:
development of central statistical services of UN Secretariat
coordination of statistical work of specialized agencies
achieving an integrated system for the collection, processing and dissemination of international statistics

4. Coordinating Committee for Statistical Activities (CCSA)
Heads of Statistical Services of interested international and regional organizations
Objectives: promoting coordination, integration and complementarity among statistical programmes of members.
‘Reports’ to the Chief Executives Board & UNSC

5. Constraining Issues ‘voluntary’ nature of participation
Informalisation of arrangements
Lack of demand for a global system (until MDGs)
CCSA response to (b)
Consider issues for decision-making & Accountability of members for their implementation
Establishing minimum standards for international official statistics - Principles
Implementing a technical work-programme – Quality Seminar, MDGI methodology

6. Principles Quality, Accessibility & Confidentiality of statistics
Transperancy, professional integrity and independence
Operational activities
Governance & internal coordination
Cooperation between agencies

7. MDG Process Catalyst for working in an ‘almost integrated’ manner
Recognition of common challenges on data-related activities & so need for joint solutions
Creation of a technical reference group (MDGI Experts Group), useful for CCSA policy recommendations

8. Action Plan: Action 6 Principles - important but early days.
CCSA: increased & effective coordination of agency activities, active promotion of joint programmes – very promising
International spending - a challenge

9. Some constraints
Statistical needs for policy of individual organisations
Internal coordination within IOs
Equitable participation at UNSC

10. International Statistical System – A Proposal