1. PARIS21 Partnership in Statistics for Development in the 21st Century Strategic statistical planning for Small Island Developing States New York Meeting 2 UN Plaza Building 21 February 2009

2. Outline 1. Importance of strategic planning for statistical development 2. Specific issues of small islands developing states 3. Possible responses in terms of statistical capacity building

3. Importance of strategic planning (1/3) Strategic planning crucial to statistical development Addresses data limitations across whole national statistical system Prioritises data needs Harmonises national/international statistical programmes Integrates statistics within policy / budgetary processes Improves evidence-based planning, decision making and service delivery

4. Importance of strategic planning (2/3) Strategic approach promoted by PARIS21 partnership: NSDS (National Strategy for the development of statistics) Provides a vision for where NSS should be in 5-10 years Offers a coherence framework and action plan for capacity building and for funding decisions Importance of coordination arrangements: across NSS and between donors Importance of leadership and a well planned process

5. Importance of strategic planning (3/3) NSDS state of the art in the world: most of the countries not engaged in NSDS in 2009 are: Fragile states Small Islands Developing States

6. Specific issues of Small Islands Developing States Limited resources (size effect) Potential status of fragile states (natural hazards) Dependence on international trade Dependence of specific sectors: tourism, marine resources In statistics: Understaffing Vicious circle: weak demand, weak statistics, weak policy Poor coordination with sectors Weak relations with policymakers

7. Possible responses in terms of SCB (1/2) Already a lot of initiatives at international and regional levels United Nations Small Islands Developing States initiative committed to the Mauritius Strategy (2005) CARICOM, OECS in the Caribbean SPC + Australia, New Zealand African countries already engaged in the process  Important to share experiences

8. Possible responses in terms of SCB (2/2) A major concern: National Strategies or Regional Strategies? Is there a minimum threshold (population size)? Differences between a regional approach: – For countries being part of an economic-monetary institution (with the aim of integration, convergence) – For neighbouring countries not being part of a specific institution (association) Advantages of regional strategies? – Sharing resources (particularly for rare expertise) – Sharing statistical production? – Better convergence in the case of economic-monetary integration – Funding of activities facilitated (donors)

9. THEN…. Reflection to be engaged on SCB for small states May be to be linked as well with fragile states specific issues Exchange of views, sharing of experience is fundamental 25% of official states in the world are Small Islands Developing States and associate territories: THEY COUNT.