International Engagement Programof the Australian Bureau of Statistics

PARIS21/UNESCAP Forum on Strategic Planning for Statistics in South-East Asian Countries– Bangkok, June 2006

Geoff NeideckDirector, Corporate PlanningAustralian Bureau of Statistics

ABS and International Engagement

ABS' international activities include:

participation in international statistical meetings, conferences, seminars and working groups

bilateral exchange and cooperation with statistical agencies of developed countries

provision of data to international agencies

assistance to build statistical capacity in developing countries in our region

Why ABS Participates in the International Arena

ABS participates internationally:

to assist in developing the capacity of national statistical offices in developing countries that will result in long term benefits to the statisticians in the recipient countries

to develop international statistical standards and approaches

to contribute to advancing methodological thinking

to strengthen Australia's statistics while improving their international comparability

ABS Technical Assistance

ABS technical assistance comprises 4 main categories:

ABS staff providing training and support - often such engagement forms part of a longer term program

ABS staff contributing to workshops or seminars arranged by international organisations

staff from other countries visiting the ABS for study tours or training

providing documentation on ABS practices

ABS Technical Assistance Cont'd

Regions where technical assistance is delivered:

Australia's aid program, sponsored through AusAID, is concentrated in South-East Asia, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Island countries, with selective engagement in South Africa, Africa and the Middle East

consistent with these priorities, the ABS gives priority in its technical assistance effort to the South Pacific and South-East Asian countries.

provision of training and support "in country" is required to be funded on a cost recovery basis - typical sources of funding include AusAID, SIAP, UN Agencies, etc

Examples:Timor L'Este

Population census – the first since independence

Assistance provided, mainly with UNFPA funding, on:

a quality advisor to review the preparations and the proposed plans and strategies, including:

questionnaire design

assistance with field and enumeration phase

Consumer Price Index (CPI)

Assistance provided, with funding from USAID, on:

an effective collection and compilation system

a CPI data release model (complying with international standards)

a detailed program overview

Timor L'Este

Vanuatu

Institutional Strengthening Program

Assistance provided, with funding from AusAID, on:

corporate governance

advice on legislation

Future assistance will include:

development of a Forward Work Program

IT governance strategy

Thailand

Strengthening of Macro-economic Statistics

AusAID funded assistance provided, included:

implementation of SNA 1993

non-profit institutions, new economy, common statistical frame, construction and capital expenditure surveys

national balance sheets, supply/use and input/output tables

export, import, new house, and service industries price indexes

government finance statistics