European Commission statistical co-operation with ASEAN

1. UNESCAP/PARIS21 Forum on Strategic Planning on Statistics, ASEAN Countries, Bangkok, 6-8 June 2006. European Commission statistical co-operation with ASEAN Eurostat-F5: International statistical co-operation

2. General framework of the EC statistical co-operation(1) Context • A co-operation based on partnership and agreement between EU and the recipients • Organisation of the co-operation within the European Commission (EC) * The EC does have cooperation competence. * Several Directorates are involved, responsible for establishing the political priorities for developing regions and countries (DG RELEX) then responsible for the programmes implementation (DG AIDCO). * Role of EUROSTAT: to provide expertise and technical support when needed by the EC, and in exceptional cases helps financing limited and selected activities.

3. General framework of the EC statistical cooperation (2) Approach: development of Community programmes • Principles: programmes based on priority policies: regional integration, food security, fight against poverty, promotion of democracy and human rights. • Fields covered “familiar” to Eurostat: agriculture, foreign trade, national accounts, classifications, prices, employment, etc. • Ultimate goal: to strengthen the national and regional capacity building. • … by the implementation of multi-annual programmes: - an overall statistical programme: for instance, supporting the implementation of a multilateral convergence policy within a region. - training: training staff in statistical techniques (use of the SNA93, surveys, economic modelling, economic analysis, etc.), in management techniques, in the use of computer tools, etc. - consolidation of institutions: development of Master Plans, creation or amendment of statistical legislation.

4. General framework of the EC statistical cooperation(3) Coordination with other partners • International and regional organisations: WB, IMF, UNDP, OECD, ASEAN, etc. • EU Members states • PARIS21

5. 3 Co-operation with ASEAN: ASEAN Statistical Capacity Building programme (1) • Context and pre-requisites: - To respect the EC policy making priorities (especially international trade issues), but also to adopt a demand- driven approach with the partner (ASEAN Sec.). - To support the MDG. • To strengthen the statistical capacity building. • To support the Paris21 initiative. - ASEAN case : no donor coordination mechanism in the region (cf. Memorandum of Understanding).

6. 3 Co-operation with ASEAN: ASEAN Statistical Capacity Building programme (2) • Main characteristics: - Beneficiaries : ASEAN Secretariat + ASEAN member countries - Global amount: 6.6M Euros - Duration : 3 years - ASEAN Sec., main EU counterpart, will ensure co-ordination with member countries. - National Statistical Offices full technical partners in the fields of their competence, as well as the other official bodies involved in public statistics (Customs and Central banks, Health and Education Ministries). - Rough timetable: beginning of the activities second half 2007.

7. 3 Co-operation with ASEAN: ASEAN Statistical Capacity Building programme (3) • Main objectives: - Priority is given to a regional approach, rather than a country by country one. - Priority is given to an approach providing harmonized statistics at the regional level. • Strengthening the ASEC in its role in the ASEAN economic development and regional integration. • Strengthening the national statistical capacities in the selected fields, as a foundation of the regional data system.

8. 3 Co-operation with ASEAN: ASEAN Statistical Capacity Building programme (4) - Fields covered : • International Merchandise trade statistics, included trade in service. • Foreign Direct Investment 3. Non observed economy, included the Informal Sector. 4. Health and education statistics.

9. Thank you for your attention • Contact person: Remi Bardon Eurostat–Unit F5 BECH Building , 2721 LUXEMBOURG Tel: +352 4301 32642 Fax: +352 4301 35769 e-mail: remi.bardon@cec.eu.int