SECOND INTERNATIONAL ROUNDTABLE

1
Better Data for Better Results
2
Better Data for Better Results An Action Plan
for Improving Development Statistics

• Builds on impressive progress made since the last
  Roundtable
• Recommends 6 actions for discussion and adoption
  of a shared work program
• Provides some cost estimates to give a sense of
  the overall scale of the effort
• Calls for a renewed commitment to scale up
  efforts to improve development statistics

3
Building on Progress to Date

• Increased partnership and pooling of resources
• MDG focus to improve data at country and
  international level
• Better international standards to help countries
• More support from bilateral and multilateral
  agencies
• Signs of improvements at country level

4
Action 1 Mainstream Strategic Planning of
Statistical Systems

• Strategic statistical plans have proven to be a
  powerful tool for guiding national programs

• Recommendations
• Aim for every low income country to have a
  strategic plan by 2006
• Integrate with the PRSPs and national development
  plans
• Donors plans to complement national statistical
  plans
• PARIS21 and TFSCB to support countries'
  statistical plans

5
Action 2 Prepare for the 2010 Census Round

• A unique data source on location, age, and gender
  to guide development

• Recommendations
• PARIS21 Task Team on censuses to review and scale
  up the proposal by UNSD
• Set up a global Trust Fund to
• conduct research on ways to reduce census costs
• assist with advocacy at national level
• build technical skills needed for managing
  census programs at country level

6
Action 3 Increase Financing for Statistical
Capacity Building

• The international community has been quick to
  demand more and better data, but slow to provide
  additional resources for statistics

• Recommendations
• Prepare integrated financing strategies(multi-cou
  ntry, -sector, -agency)
• Bring donors together in an annual joint event
• Link statistical capacity investment projects
  with general budget and PRS Credits
• Provide lending and grant facilities that
  encourage long-term statistical capacity
  building, such as STATCAP

7
Action 4 Set up an International Household
Survey Network

• Surveys are essential sources of information, but
  are complex undertakings with many national and
  international actors involved

• Recommendations
• Organize a Household Survey Network to share
  information and mobilize support
• Consider feasibility of a minimum survey program
• Improve survey archiving and dissemination
  programs while protecting confidentiality

8
Action 5 Undertake Urgent Improvements
Needed for MDG Monitoring by 2005

• The MDG Indicators Expert Group has identified
  data deficiencies that should be addressed for
  2005 MDG reporting

• Recommendations
• Set up special working groups to review
  indicators for poverty, education, the
  environment, and global partnership
• Establish a small interagency editorial board to
  assist with the 2005 MDG report
• Provide training and tools for MDG data
  management and analysis at the country level,
  including DevInfo data system

9
Action 6 Increase Accountability for
International Statistical System

• International cooperation to support developing
  countries and pool data resources for MDG
  monitoring is essential and needs formal
  recognition

• Recommendations
• Adopt a statement of principles on statistical
  responsibilities of international organizations
• Increase information sharing on forward-looking
  data plans
• Collect information on level of spending to
  identify investment gaps

10
Costing of the Action PlanIncremental Costs for
2004-2006

• Cost of the statistical capacity building in
  developing countries 115-120 million/year for
  the next three years
• Costs of strengthening the international
  statistical system 24-28 million/year for the
  next three years
• These costs are to give a sense of the overall
  scale of the effort

11
Expectations for the Conferenceand Next Steps

• Renew commitment for the need to scale up
  improvement plans for development statistics
• Agree on a shared work program among key
  development partners
• Prioritize actions into an implementation plan
  for the next 12-18 months
• Report to the Development Committee Spring 2004