Presentation to the Regional workshop for the SADC Maputo, Mozambique October 14 – 15, 2013

1. Presentation to the Regional workshop for the SADC Maputo, Mozambique October 14 – 15, 2013

2. Overview of the presentation • ASSD Background and objectives • 2010 Round of Population and Housing Censuses (RPHCs) report • CRVS • ASSD achievements • ASSD challenges • Conclusion

3. Background • In September 2005 the then UN Secretary General, Kofi Anan tabled a report to the General Assembly that showed glaring data gaps in monitoring progress made in Africa on the MDGs. • In a meeting was held in Yaounde, Cameroon by African Statisticians which took place against the poor performance of African countries in undertaking population and housing Censuses, it was agreed that the situation could not be allowed to prevail. • The African Symposia on Statistics Development (ASSD) was formed a platform with an initial objective of mobilising all African countries to ensure that they carried out censuses in the 2010 round covering the period 2005 – 2014. • An inaugural meeting of the ASSD was held in Cape Town, South Africa in 2006

4. Background • In 2010, the Ministers responsible for Civil Registration and Vital statistics in Africa called upon African statisticians to address the CRVS • Around this time 20 African countries had conducted their Censuses and others had committed to doing so, the Heads of NSO adopted a resolution to implement the CRVS call from Ministers • The focus of the CRVS will be until 2015, however, the monitoring of population censuses and provision of inter country support remains a key strategic imperative for the ASSD

5. Objectives of The 2010 round of censuses • To facilitate the strengthening of the role of African countries in the world programme on 2010 population and housing censuses, • To strengthen collaboration on census related activities such as management and planning, data collection, data processing, data analysis and dissemination • To develop strategies for African countries to fill the glaring data gaps that limit Africa’s ability to monitor progress made towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. • To improve reporting mechanisms between the national statistical agencies and international agencies.

6. 2010 RPHCs report Of the 54 African countries:- • 33 countries have already undertaken their censuses • 7 countries are scheduled to undertake a census in 2013 • 7 countries scheduled to undertake a census in 2014 • 2 countries are still doubtful ( Somalia and Eritrea) • 5 countries were planned for 2012 but no confirmation has been received about rescheduling (Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea Conakry, Niger and Sao Tome)

7. CRVS: Civil registration data collected but not processed into vital statistics

8. CRVS objectives (2011- 2015) • To improve CRVS institutional and human infrastructure in Africa • To standardise Causes of Death Classification and Statistics in Africa • To promote Use of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Support of Advancing Good Governance in Africa • To evaluatethe application of UN Principles and Recommendations on CRVS in the African region • To promote use of Information Technology solutions in improving CRVS in Africa.

9. CRVS progress to date • The second ministers’ meeting was held in South Africa on the CRVS in 2012 • Medium-term plan for improvement of CRVS developed • A pool of CRVS experts trained to assist countries with their assessments • Assessment tools have been developed • Twelve countries initiated some assessment related activities • Mozambique completed its assessment on 26 September 2013

10. ASSD achievements • Eight symposia held since inception in 2006 in 7 countries • South Africa, Rwanda, Ghana, Angola, Senegal, Egypt, Cote’dIvoire • Encouraging progress made on 2010 round of population and housing censuses • CRVS 2011-15 in progress • Pool of participants are expanded with new focus, e.g. inclusion of Health professionals, Home affairs staff, etc • Coming of minds between the data suppliers/data producers/data users (NSS) • Capacity building – Young statisticians part of ASSD

11. ASSD challenges • Funding • Electronic access to data and data quality • Countries that may not undertake censuses in 2010 round • Resources- Technological, skills

12. ASSD and Post 2015 Development agenda • ASSD to link with the post 2015 development agenda, influenced by amongst others • Rio + 20 outcomes • Meeting of High level panel of eminent persons • African Common position on the post 2015 development agenda • G7 + (conflict affected and fragile states) • Development agenda of countries

13. Conclusion • African Statistical Sytems Development programme (ASSDp) strategy to be presented in the 9th ASSD which will be held in January 2014 • The aim of the ASSDp is to facilitate central planning, monitoring and evaluation and will have milestones that complement Agenda 2063. • Botswana will be hosting the 9th ASSD.

14. Thank you The South Africa I know, the home I understand