Adjusting the Organization of National Statistical Systems to Emerging Issues CENTRAL STATISTICS ORGANIZATION AFGHANISTAN by: Abdul Rahman Ghafoori President General, CSO Workshop on the Organization of National Statistical Systems and User-Producer Relations for Countries in South Asian Region Colombo, Sri Lanka, 21 to 24 July 2008

BACKGROUND … Central Statistics Organization was established as an independent Body in when the war broke in Afghanistan and following the invasion of the country in 1979, CSO was subject to drastic changes, In 1979, the 1 st Population Census in the country was conducted During the last part of the census activities Afghanistan faced security problems and Statistical Activities were gradually reduced. During the war most institutions were destroyed and activities of CSO became increasingly limited. CSO activities were increasingly became to administrative data collection.

BACKGROUND … CSO however did conduct a household income and expenditure survey which was limited to the city of Kabul. The Second population Census which on the basis of statistics law had to be conducted ten years after the first one did not materialized because of increasing security problems Data collection through surveys lacked for too long as a result the statistical system could not meet growing data needs. Absence of data collection activities caused different ministries and foreign organizations to collect data independently for their own data needs. The CSO therefore could not develop and lacked sufficient capacity to respond to the data needs of the country.

BACKGROUND … Statistics Law Statistics Law of Afghanistan was renewed in 2006 on the basis of Statistical Master plan The law stipulates that CSO should be responsible for collection,compilation, analysis, and publication of statistical information relating to commercial, industrial, financial, social, economics, environmental, and condition of the people

BACKGROUND … Statistics Law The law also says that ministries and other government bodies can carry out surveys provided the surveys are coordinated with the Central Statistics Organization.

BACKGROUND … Statistics Law According to the law two National Committees, National Statistics Committee (NSC) and National Census committee (NCC) were formed and both are headed by the First Vice President of the country. The committees have advisory role and a number of relevant ministries and government organizations and representative of private sector are members of both the committees.

WAY FORWARD … CSO’s commitment….. …. provide timely and accurate information on national and local issues concerning population and economy To pursue this commitment: 1.Institutional Capacity Building 2. Coordination Among Agencies

WAY FORWARD … Institutional Capacity Building …. CSO has to build capacity to effectively undertake data collection activities The following agencies assist CSO in this regard : UNFPA – Population and Housing Census UNICEF – Training ( English and Computer as well as Database management example DevInfo which has been customized under the name of Afghan Info ) ADB – Assist Integrated Business and Enterprise Survey as well as training of CSO staff out side of the country.

WAY FORWARD … Institutional Capacity Building ….. …. It should be seen as a continuous process …..Process should be integrated so that there is no conflicting, duplicated and piece by piece support …..Support areas should not be only in data collection but also in management, coordination, publicity and analysis

WAY FORWARD … Institutional Capacity Building ….. …. Improvement/presence of field representation: - establishment of District Statistics Offices and recruitment of District Statistics Officers

WAY FORWARD … Coordination Among Agencies ….. …. CSO will continue to: - conduct information campaign about its mandate especially among government and private entities and NGOs which are also collecting data – …… to avoid duplication …… to avoid inconsistency of results …… coordination will improve capacity of CSO through learning-while- working approach

WAY FORWARD … Coordination Among Agencies ….. …. CSO will: - Ensure regular meeting of NSC to address different statistics related issues

WAY FORWARD … Coordination Among Agencies ….. …. CSO will: - suggest creation of Technical Working Groups to address various statistical issues (old and emerging) TWG on: Poverty, Labor and Employment, Health, Education, Population and housing census Agriculture etc

WAY FORWARD … Coordination Among Agencies ….. …. Technical Working Groups will be formed by inviting technical experts from different concerned agencies and organizations …. They will : - Drafting standard statistical concepts and definitions -Formulate procedures for proper coordination among entities,

Thank You