1. ECO Framework of Cooperation in Statistics & ECO Plan of Action on Statistics Prepared by Mr. Fazli Sak, ECO Programme Officer

2. OBJECTIVES (1/1) Enhance and intensify “National Accounts” cooperation among ECO countries’ Statistical Offices and Administrations Harmonize the definitions, classifications and measurements of National Accounts in the ECO region Promote the production of comparable National Accounts statistics and the development of regional statistical indicators

3. OBJECTIVES (1/2) Support ECO bodies’ such as RPC and policy-making (e.g COM,CPR) through provision of comparable and timely statistics Advocate greater governmental support and commitment to the priority statistical programmes/projects and activities of the member ECO countries

4. OBJECTIVES (1/3) Promote adherence to the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics adopted by the UNSC Promote improvements in the official statistics generated by the member countries

5. COOPERATION AREAS Exchange of Views (holding meetings/seminars/workshops) Collaboration on Region-Wide Projects and Activities (harmonized/common concepts, definitions, and classification) Capacity Building and Human Resource Development (developing mechanisms/training programmes) Other Areas of Cooperation

6. ECO Plan of Action on Statistics 1. Support for ECO initiatives, planning and policy-making 2. Harmonization of Classification, Concept, Definition, and Measurement 3. Cooperate on Adoption of International Good Practices 4. Capacity Building and Human Resources Development

7. 1. Support for ECO initiatives, planning and policy-making (1/1) - Identify indicators to support the ECO priority areas (Trade, Energy and Transportation and Industry, etc.) These indicators shall be called the ECO Key Statistical Indicators (ECOKSI). - Production and provision of missing indicators for ECOKSI - Establishing a mechanism for regular updating of ECOKSI by Member Countries

8. 1. Support for ECO initiatives, planning and policy-making (1/2) - Developing and maintaining ECOKSI on ECO Website - Preparation (e.g country wise statistical bulletins, human development indices, millennium development indicators) statistical indicators/publications of ECO Secretariat - Establish and maintain linkages with NSO’s individual websites - Promote the development of NSO’s websites in members where websites are not available

9. 2. Harmonization of Classification, Concept, Definition, and Measurement - Comparable ECOKSI (Ensure adoption of international standards of classification, concept, definition, measurement and methodology or harmonization) - Review classifications, concepts, definitions, measurements and methodologies of the ECOKSI - Set up a Working Group on Harmonization of Statistics

10. 3. Cooperate on Adoption of International Good Practices - Adopt international good practices those promote transparency and create greater public awareness and appreciation of statistics - Conduct self-assessment on good practices and performances (UNSD’s questionnaires) - Cooperate and promote the dissemination of member country’s good practices, (UNSD’s website)

11. 4. Capacity Building and Human Resources Development - Assess the training needs of each NSO and develop training programs - Review existing national, regional and international training facilities - Seek technical/financial support from relevant international agencies/donors - Promote cooperation of technical expertise within the ECO region

12. THANK YOU