International Engagement Program of the Australian Bureau of Statistics

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Timor L'Este • 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

8. 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

9. 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