1. Eurostat/UNSD Conference on International Outreach and Coordination in National Accounts for Sustainable Development and Growth 6-8 May, Luxembourg These Luxembourg Recommendations have been prepared for consideration by the Intersecretariat Working Group on National Accounts (ISWGNA) as an input into the process of drafting the strategy for implementation of the SNA following the consensus reached by the participants in the Eurostat/UNSD Conference on International Outreach and Coordination in National Accounts for Sustainable Development and Growth held in Luxembourg from 6 to 8 May 2008. Luxembourg Recommendations On Global Implementation and Outreach for the System of National Accounts (LRs@SNA)

2. Outline Purpose Purpose Background Background In response to Commission’s request In response to Commission’s request Main elements for Luxembourg Recommendations Main elements for Luxembourg Recommendations Objectives Objectives Recent Developments Recent Developments Stakeholders Stakeholders Strategic planning principle Strategic planning principle Recommendation 1 – Strategic planning frameworks Recommendation 1 – Strategic planning frameworks Coordination, monitoring and reporting principle Coordination, monitoring and reporting principle Recommendation 2 – Coordination, monitoring and reporting Recommendation 2 – Coordination, monitoring and reporting Global governance Global governance Recommendation 3 – Global governance Recommendation 3 – Global governance Statistical system improvement principle Statistical system improvement principle Recommendation 4 – National statistical capacity building Recommendation 4 – National statistical capacity building SNA Knowledge Platform: statistics, information technology and management SNA Knowledge Platform: statistics, information technology and management Recommendation 5 – SNA knowledge platform: statistics, information technology and management Recommendation 5 – SNA knowledge platform: statistics, information technology and management Expected Outcomes Expected Outcomes Way forward in 2008 based on Luxembourg Recommendations Way forward in 2008 based on Luxembourg Recommendations

3. Purpose Main principles and recommendations for:  Global programme on implementation and outreach for the System of National Accounts and related economic statistics

4. Background  The Statistical Commission adopted Volume 1 of the 2008 System of National Accounts (SNA) as the latest recommendations for compiling and reporting on National Accounts  The Commission underscored the role of the SNA as a coordinating framework for economic statistics on: ProductionProduction ConsumptionConsumption AccumulationAccumulation  The Commission expressed need for strengthening statistical capacity in developing countries for national accounts and related economic statistics.

5. In response to Commission’s request Conference on International Outreach and Coordination in National Accounts for Sustainable Growth and Development Conference on International Outreach and Coordination in National Accounts for Sustainable Growth and Development The Luxembourg Recommendations on Global Implementation and Outreach for the System of National Accounts (LRs@SNA) The Luxembourg Recommendations on Global Implementation and Outreach for the System of National Accounts (LRs@SNA)

6. Main Elements for Luxembourg Recommendations  Approach - Managing for results  Principles Strategic planningStrategic planning Coordination, monitoring and reportingCoordination, monitoring and reporting Improving statistical systemsImproving statistical systems  Possible governance structure – ICP Programme

7. Objectives Promoting international coordination among development partners Promoting international coordination among development partners Implementing regional programmes, guidelines, procedures for implementation Implementing regional programmes, guidelines, procedures for implementation Strengthening national statistical capacity in National Accounts and related basic statistics Strengthening national statistical capacity in National Accounts and related basic statistics Advocating use of national accounts and statistics in general, for policy purposes Advocating use of national accounts and statistics in general, for policy purposes

8. Recent Developments  Adoption of updated System of National Accounts Better compliance over more countriesBetter compliance over more countries Improved scope of dataImproved scope of data Enhanced qualityEnhanced quality  Harmonization efforts with respect to standards: International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC Rev. 4)International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC Rev. 4) Central Product Classification (CPC Ver. 2)Central Product Classification (CPC Ver. 2) Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM6)Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM6) System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA), forthcomingSystem of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA), forthcoming Etc.Etc.

9. Stakeholders  National governments  National Statistical Offices and other providers of official statistics  National and Regional Central Banks  UN Regional Commissions Regional development banks Regional development banks National and Regional Statistical Training Institutions National and Regional Statistical Training Institutions Other regional agencies and institutions Other regional agencies and institutions  International Agencies  International Community of Donors  Users of national accounts data for policy purposes

10. Strategic Planning Principle Strategic planning frameworks for statistical capacity building in national accounts and related economic statistics to guide statistical capacity building Strategic planning frameworks for statistical capacity building in national accounts and related economic statistics to guide statistical capacity building Common information set with national and regional objectives and programmed actions based on analysis of strengths and weaknesses of existing statistical systems.Common information set with national and regional objectives and programmed actions based on analysis of strengths and weaknesses of existing statistical systems. Best practices exist like National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS), United Nations development Assistance Frameworks (UNDAF), General Data Dissemination System (GDDS) and regional frameworks like Reference Regional Strategic Framework (RRSF), etc.Best practices exist like National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS), United Nations development Assistance Frameworks (UNDAF), General Data Dissemination System (GDDS) and regional frameworks like Reference Regional Strategic Framework (RRSF), etc. Alignment with other international standards frameworks and international classifications such as BPM, SEEA, ISIC, CPCAlignment with other international standards frameworks and international classifications such as BPM, SEEA, ISIC, CPC

11. Recommendation 1 – Strategic Planning Frameworks 1.1 Strategic planning framework to be formulated for national statistical capacity in national accounts and other economic statistics, and to be integrated with balance of payments, government finance statistics and environmental accounting and statistics, etc. 1.2 The above framework to be a component of the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) to be regularly updated and to be consistent with GDDS and other reference frameworks of the country. 1.3 National, regional and international strategies on economic statistics to be synchronized. 1.4International, regional and country actions to be determined by information obtained from strategic planning frameworks and other mechanisms put in place. 1.5Further alignments have to be pursued according to various frameworks (such as the RRSF in Africa and ECLAC’s strategic plan 2005-2015)

12. Coordination, monitoring and reporting principle International level International level Develop compilation guidanceDevelop compilation guidance Organize procedures and assessments of processOrganize procedures and assessments of process Align with other international standards frameworks and international classifications such as BPM, SEEA, ISIC, CPCAlign with other international standards frameworks and international classifications such as BPM, SEEA, ISIC, CPC Regional level Regional level Maintain relationship with global governance structureMaintain relationship with global governance structure Develop and maintain regional programmes, guidelines, procedures including South-South cooperation in particularDevelop and maintain regional programmes, guidelines, procedures including South-South cooperation in particular Organize timely, appropriate technical assistanceOrganize timely, appropriate technical assistance Monitor – financial and technical aspectsMonitor – financial and technical aspects National level National level Collaborate with development partnersCollaborate with development partners Establish governance structures for implementation (including national coordinator for national statistical system)Establish governance structures for implementation (including national coordinator for national statistical system) Establish donor coordination group for statistics (example Mali)Establish donor coordination group for statistics (example Mali) Ensure effective use of resourcesEnsure effective use of resources Harmonize with government budgeting for maximum effectHarmonize with government budgeting for maximum effect Guarantee accountabilityGuarantee accountability Dialogue between users and producersDialogue between users and producers

13. Recommendation 2 – Coordination, monitoring and reporting 2.1 Regional Commissions in collaboration with other regional partners to play a pivotal role in the coordination, monitoring, reporting and maintenance of existing coordination mechanisms, avoiding parallel systems. 2.2 The above with the aim of enhancing efficiency of technical cooperation programmes and alignment with national commitments for development of official statistics. 2.3 Current regional mechanisms for SNA implementation should be analyzed, aligned and mobilized. 2.4 National donor groups on statistics (to be created, if necessary) to play a role in improving coordination, monitoring and reporting in statistical capacity building. 2.5 National statistical institutes or other agreed coordinator to play a coordinating role for national statistical system to enhance effectiveness. 2.6 South-South cooperation to be further developed.

14. Global governance Relating to: National implementation programme: National implementation programme: Inputs of development partnersInputs of development partners Staffing and financingStaffing and financing Deliverables and outcomesDeliverables and outcomes Country and regional progress against agreed benchmarks: Country and regional progress against agreed benchmarks: ComplianceCompliance QualityQuality ScopeScope

15. Recommendation 3 – Global governance 3.1 Global governance structure to be created to develop coordination, monitoring and reporting procedures, avoiding duplication, to assess performance of the implementation programme itself as well as progress of countries/regions against set benchmarks. 3.2 Global governance structure to be established taking the structure of the latest ICP round as a possible model (coordination by a global office, regional implementation offices, technical advisory groups, etc.). 3.3 Establish agreed modular structures and make use of classifications for international, regional and national statistical capacity programmes including quality assessments.

16. Statistical System Improvement Principle On implementation of business registers and frames, surveys and use of administrative data, integration frameworks, dissemination, ICT and management, through: Meetings, seminars, workshopsMeetings, seminars, workshops Technical cooperationTechnical cooperation Manuals and handbooks, software toolsManuals and handbooks, software tools Academic and statistical training (including distance learning) in national accountsAcademic and statistical training (including distance learning) in national accounts Statistical research on new concepts in SNAStatistical research on new concepts in SNA Advocacy in use of national accounts for evidence based policy makingAdvocacy in use of national accounts for evidence based policy making SNA knowledge platformSNA knowledge platform

17. Recommendation 4 – National Statistical Capacity Building 4.1 National statistical capacity building in national accounts and related economic statistics to be achieved through a unified international, regional and national implementation programme including development of statistical infrastructure, sustainable donor activities, technical assistance, training and application of common software tools e.g. SDMX, Eretes, etc. 4.2 Common training modules in national accounts and related basic statistics to be developed for training and retraining of statisticians in collaboration with regional training and academic institutions applying advanced media such as those for distance learning. 4.3 Promotion and adaptation of national accounts data for policy purposes should underpin strategic planning frameworks and be integrated into statistical capacity building and training programmes.

18. SNA Knowledge platform: statistics, information technology and management  Institute “SNA Centres of Competence”  Address and reinforce statistical infrastructure Institutional: management and internal policy on data collection, compilation, dissemination, user consultation and advisory committees, etc Institutional: management and internal policy on data collection, compilation, dissemination, user consultation and advisory committees, etc Registers, frames for administrative sources and statistical surveys Registers, frames for administrative sources and statistical surveys Collections through administrative sources and statistical surveys Collections through administrative sources and statistical surveys SNA as integration framework SNA as integration framework Dissemination of statistics and metadata to users Dissemination of statistics and metadata to users

19. Recommendation 5 – SNA Knowledge platform: statistics, information technology and management 5.1 Knowledge platform to be established on statistical standards, training programmes and best practices, information technology tools and management for national statistical systems based on an agreed framework. 5.2 International network for economic statistics to be established through recognized "Centres of Competence" that provide and maintain the quality content of the building blocks of the framework and their specialized modules. 5.3 An inventory of potential "Centres of Competence" should be drawn up.

20. Expected Outcomes Improved national statistical capacity Improved national statistical capacity Improved capability for all developing countries taking into account different levels developmentImproved capability for all developing countries taking into account different levels development Enhanced quality of statistics Enhanced quality of statistics Better conceptual complianceBetter conceptual compliance Harmonization, improved comparabilityHarmonization, improved comparability Strengthened coordination, monitoring and reporting Strengthened coordination, monitoring and reporting Donor to recipient countryDonor to recipient country Within regionWithin region Among international agencies, regional bodies, NSOsAmong international agencies, regional bodies, NSOs More intensive, appropriate use of National Accounts in policy making and related research More intensive, appropriate use of National Accounts in policy making and related research

21. Way forward in 2008 based on Luxembourg Recommendations  Regional Commissions in collaboration with regional and national partners formulating regional implementation and outreach programmes for SNA (by October 2008)  ISWGNA in collaboration with regional and national partners to draft Global Implementation and Outreach Programme for SNA (by November 2008  ISWGNA to submit SNA programme to Statistical Commission (February 2009)