1. "Experience with the peer reviews, successes and things to change for next reviews" Delina Ibrahimaj, Albania

2. Content Experience with Assessments Reviews Preparation phase
Peer Review focus
Organization of PR self assessment process
Self assessment benefits
Importance of self assessment
Coordination and content
PR Recommendations
PR Benefits
Measures to meet the recommendations
Lesson learned

3. Assessments carried out
AGA
Light Peer review
Limited Peer Review
Sector reviews - Business Statistics 2015 and LFS 2016
Planned - Sector Reviews - Agriculture statistics 2018

4. First Draft of SAQ: February 2018 Second Draft of SAQ: March 2018
SAQ Preparation phase
Creation of the working groups for each principle and Steering Body: January 2018
First Draft of SAQ: February 2018
Second Draft of SAQ: March 2018
Completed SAQ: May 2018
Country visit: June 2018

5. Preparation of Peer Review process
First Phase
Establishing Steering Group and Technical Groups for each principle;
Preparing the first draft-SAQ and discussing twice a month;
Organizing preparatory meetings with ONA-s
Second Phase
Discussing the draft-SAQ prepared by INSTAT;
Establishing responsible persons for providing the appropriate logistic, translation and other facilities;
Organizing preparatory meetings with representatives of users, data providers, media and academic world
Final Phase
Discussing the final SAQ, approval and send to PR Team;
Collect and list the supporting documents (laws, regulations, guidelines, MoU’s etc.)
Agenda finalization;
Ensure the appropriate work environment for interviews. A specific office is needed as well, equipped with Wi-Fi, PC, printer etc.

6. Peer review focus Self assessment Review visit Focus of the PR
NSI: Self-assessment questionnaire. implementation of Code of Practice + questionnaires on coordination in national statistical system
ONAs: “Light-self-evaluation” based on Code of Practice
Documentation needed for all answers
Review visit
The Peer Review Team :
2 international experts
1 representative from Eurostat
2 observer form neighbouring country (Montenegro)
5 days country visit
Focus of the PR
Compliance with all 15 principles of the Code of Practice
NSIs and Other National Statistics producers
Coordination within the national statistical system
Involvement of users (media, researchers, ministries etc.) and data providers
Resources allocated for statistical activities

7. Self Assessment benefits
Self-assessment an opportunity for all the NSS for a better picture of:
Full legal framework on which INSTAT activity and other producers of official statistics is based;
Activities covered by the actors involved in the system, development phases and the problems faced
Better communication on institutional and inter-institutional level;
The level of the available resources to cover statistical activities;
Perception of the level of application of the statistical principles.

8. Importance of Self Assessment
Opportunity to:
identify weaknesses
initiate improvement activities
raise awareness at the whole NSS about the CoP
Better cooperation with the counterparts from other institutions covering statistics;
Information on the level of user perception on the NSS performance;
Information on the level of media perception for the NSS and their future expectations for official statistics;

9. Coordination and content
Coordination by INSTAT
46 Documents
3 Questionnaires 85
Representatives
The Assessment Team conducted interviews with stakeholders, representatives from key users of official statistics, administrative data holders, the academic world, media and international organizations. The documentation needed for the experts was prepared by working groups established by INSTAT, the Bank of Albania and the Ministry of Finances and Economy, while the whole process was coordinated by INSTAT.

10. Peer Review Recommendations
Institutional strengthening - 9 recommendations
Developing quality management and improving cost-effectiveness - 10 recommendations
Improve communication with users and other stakeholders - 5 recommendations

11. Peer Review benefits
Will help INSTAT in the processes of drafting strategies and implementation plans;
Will assist in monitoring of the implementation of activities as expected by Eurostat;
Will serve as a supporting document for proposing other legal and sub-legal acts for the strengthening of INSTAT and NSS;
Will affect the increase of public confidence of the NSS through the publication of the reports;
Will strengthen cooperation with the media and the academic world;
Will affect the allocation of resources needed to cover for production of official statistics.

12. Measures to meet PR recommendations
Improvement actions for each of the recommendations has been prepared and sent to Eurostat for comments/approval
Peer Review report is published in Eurostat and INSTAT website
Improvement actions will be included in the operational plan of INSTAT and followed on regular basis.

13. Lesson learned
A high level team of NSI should evaluate the SAQ and give opinions
Stable working groups members
Periodic meetings within INSTAT and inter-institutional level during preparatory phases
Draft-agenda as early as possible
Legal expertise on specific issues
Media to be met in morning sessions

14. Thank you for your kind attention !