1. Governance Structure for 2008 SNA and Related EcoStat Implementation
Session 10 Added:
Governance Structure for
2008 SNA and Related EcoStat
Implementation
Giovanni Savio and Majed Skaini, SD, UN-ESCWA
Seminar on the implementation of SNA 2008 in ESCWA Region
Muscat, 23 – 26 May 2010

2. Governance Structure
In order to respond to the challenge of improving the status of NA and, more in general, EcoStat in the region, a range of interventions by the various players is required
An important element of the overall strategy is the governance structure
A regional implementation strategy is needed to support sound macroeconomic management and evidence-based policy formulation through a sustained regionally and internationally consistent process of compilation and reporting of NA
In this respect, ESCWA has proposed to the attention of the MCs a regional governance structure to closely follow, support and foster the implementation of 2008 SNA and the related Action Plan

3. Governance Structure
The governance structure will be part of the Action Plan that will be submitted for approval to the next Session of the ESCWA Statistical Committee, October 2010
It closely resembles other governance structures developed for other global projects, such as the International Comparison Programme
The plan will also tackle the relevant challenges, such as financial and human resources required, as well as coordination and linkage to the overall ESCWA National Accounts and Economic Statistics activities for the forthcoming years
The governance involves a series of actions at both the regional and national level

4. Governance Structure: Regional Level
At the regional level, the ESCWA Statistical Committee, as the intergovernmental forum with responsibility for statistical matters in the ESCWA, would have ultimate ownership of the proposed regional program for the development of economic statistics and NA
Its main role would be to provide a forum where the views of stakeholders could be expressed, to confirm or otherwise amend the mandate and accountability mechanisms of the program, and to ensure that the program has adequate resources
The Committee meets once every two years in order to discuss statistical issues and renew its bureau. A Regional Working Group of the Committee has been established to meet in years where the Committee itself does not meet

5. Governance Structure: Regional Level
The Bureau of the Committee would be given a mandate to undertake inter-session work that would include making strategic decisions for the successful and timely implementation of the program
A Regional Coordinator, namely a staff of the ESCWA Secretariat, would manage the day- to-day work of the program
The Regional Coordinator will work closely with the Bureau of the Statistical Committee and National Coordinators to ensure the successful processing of the implementation strategy
The regional coordinator would consult with the Chairperson of the Bureau, report to the Bureau and prepare the annual work program and budget for approval of the Bureau

6. Governance Structure: Regional Level
The Committee could also establish an Advisory Group to provide guidance to the Bureau and the Secretariat on methodological and technical issues related to the development and periodic revision of the program
The Advisory Group shall consist of members with a high level of experience and, in such capacity, able of guiding and supplying member countries with relevant and substantive support
The Advisory Group would be composed of high-qualified regional and international experts

7. Governance Structure: National Level
At the country level, the regional program would be carried out by the National Statistical Offices through a National Coordinator
The National Coordinators should preferably be the Chief Statisticians in National Accounts and Economic Statistics or their representatives, given the strategic nature of the global and regional programs and their impact on the national statistical plans

8. Governance Structure

9. Governance Structure
The success of the regional program would depend on the collective commitment of all potential international, regional and national partners in mobilizing adequate financial resources, providing technical assistance and overall support in terms of statistical capacity- building initiatives
The UN-ESCWA, on its side, will support the process by:
The Regular Budget activities (EGM and Workshops, publications etc.)
The regular program for technical cooperation (Workshops and Regional Advisory services)
Extra-budgetary activities, initiatives oriented towards strengthening the skills of staffs in the National Statistical Offices of the region, promoting consultation, exchange of experience and sharing of best practices (Development Account Project Proposal on Development of Short-Term Economic Statistics, including QNA)