1. IRES: an update on the revision process Vladimir Markhonko United Nations Statistics Division The 4 th meeting of the Oslo Group on energy statistics Ottawa, Canada, 2-6 February 2009

2. 2 Preparation of International recommendations for Energy Statistics (IRES) In Nov 2007, UNSD developed the proposal to review and consolidate the revised recommendations on energy statistics and balances, which merit adoption by the UN Stat. Comm. into the International Recommendations for Energy Statistics (IRES) The proposal was discussed and approved by the 3rd meeting of the Oslo Group (Feb. 2008) The proposal was discussed and approved by the 3rd meeting of the Oslo Group (Feb. 2008)

3. 3  An outline of the IRES scope and content was developed jointly by UNSD and the Oslo Group.  A worldwide consultation on the scope and content of IRES took place in May 2008.  There was a strong support for the development of IRES and for its intended scope and content.

4. 4   Discussion on the OG electronic forum  Aguascalientes, Mexico, 2-5 Dec. 2008) supported IRES development and highlighted the concerns of the developing countries  International Workshop on Energy Statistics (Aguascalientes, Mexico, 2-5 Dec. 2008) supported IRES development and highlighted the concerns of the developing countries

5. 5  The UN Secretary General report to the 40 th session of the UN Statistical Commission (24-27 February 2009)  Seminar on energy statistics for the Commission members (24 February 2009)  The Commission to discuss the SG report and be informed about the activities of the Oslo Group and InterEnerStat (separate reports) http://unstats.un.org/unsd/statcom/sc2009.htm

6. 6 The SG report to the Commission The report outlines the revision strategy and proposes that energy statistics be developed based on the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics. as a multi-purpose statistical domain focused on basic energy statistics and enabling the subsequent data recompilation in various formats such as energy balances etc. as needed for policy decisions and analytical uses. IRES will provide reference definitions, classifications and data items; also, it will cover other elements of the statistical process such as data compilation strategies (including institutional arrangements), data quality, metadata and data dissemination.

7. 7 A set of issues for review and areas where the revised and updated recommendations are needed are described; Annex containing IRES outline is attached. Proposed that additional guidance on more practical/technical matters (e.g., good practices, country case studies, etc.) is provided in Energy Statistics Compilers Manual (ESCM).

8. 8 Points for discussion by the Commission as in the SG report: The Commission may wish: a.To endorse the Statistics Division strategy to prepare International Recommendations for Energy Statistics and to request that an early submission of the draft recommendations be considered as a matter of priority; b.To advise that the draft recommendations should provide an updated conceptual framework of official energy statistics as well as a necessary policy guidance on data compilation and data dissemination in the context of an integrated approach to economic statistics;

9. 9 c.To stress that it is essential that the revision of the recommendations is carried out in full consultation with national statistical offices and national energy ministries/agencies, including a worldwide consultation on the provisional draft of the recommendations; d.To recommend that technical details relevant to compilation of energy statistics and good country practices be published in Energy Statistics Compilers Manual to assist countries in implementation of the revised and updated recommendations;

10. 10 e.To advise the Statistics Division to submit the revised and updated recommendations to the ad hoc The United Nations Expert Group on Energy Statistics for evaluation; the Expert Group will have a mandate to review and endorse the draft recommendations prior to their submission to the Commission

11. 11 Initial plan was to submit IRES to the UNSC at its 41st session (February 2010). Subject to the Commission’s recommendations the new plan is to submit IRES to the UNSC at its 42nd session (February 2011). Reasons: still many issues to resolve, work load, time needed for the second stage of a worldwide consultation on the full text of the provisional draft of IRES, overcrowded agenda of 41 st session.

12. 12 The proposed new timeline for IRES preparation The proposed new timeline for IRES preparation Dec. 2010 Finalization and submission to UNSC Sept 2010 UNEG to endorse IRES Mid 2010 2009 2 nd stage worldwide consultation OG4 to review available drafts and outlines Feb. 2009 OG5 to review the provisional draft of IRES UNSC decisions on IRES Preparation of the provisional draft of IRES and virtual meetings Feb ? 2010

13. 13 Thank you very much for your attention!