1. International work on classifications – Methods and tools United Nations Statistics Division

2. What classifications are part of our work?

3. Statistical Commission Established: 16 th February 1946 24 members, according to geographical distribution pattern: –5 members from Africa –4 members from Asia –4 members from Eastern Europe –4 members from Latin America & Caribbean –7 members from Western European and other States 4 years membership 1 meeting per year (since 1999)

4. Statistical Commission Commission shall assist the Economic & Social Council: –“In promoting the development of national statistics and the improvement of their comparability; –In the coordination of the statistical work of specialized agencies; –In the development of the central statistical services of the Secretariat; –In advising the organs of the United Nations on general questions relating to the collection, analysis and dissemination of statistical information; –In promoting the improvement of statistics and statistical methods generally.”

5. Work on Classifications UN Statistical Commission UNSDILOUNESCOWHO Member countries

6. Work on Classifications UN Statistical Commission UNSDILOUNESCOWHO Member countries Expert Group on International Economic and Social Classifications

7. Expert Group Central coordinating body for classification matters Ensures harmonization and convergence among classifications in the family Recommends, examines changes/updates Adopts schedules for updates Can install subgroups

8. Work on Classifications UNSC EGUNSD Economic Classifications (Activities, products, expenditures) Trade Classifications Time Use Classification Technical Subgroup

9. Work on Classifications UNSC EG UNSD Economic Classifications (Activities, products, expenditures) Trade Classifications Time Use Classification Technical Subgroup

10. Work on Classifications UNSD Economic Classifications (Activities, products, expenditures) Technical Subgroup Other sources: - Workshops - Regional groups - Convergence project - Classifications Hotline

11. Technical Subgroup currently there’s one TSG, concerned with revisions of ISIC, CPC –Created by the Expert Group in 1999 Reports back to Expert Group Generally: carry out technical, analytical or exploratory tasks

12. Technical Subgroup Generally: carry out technical, analytical or exploratory tasks: –Concept discussions –Papers on special issues –Drafting of proposals for classification structures –Maintain contact with other groups and national offices –Rulings on interpretation issues –Review additional inputs

13. Work on Classifications UNSC EG UNSD Economic Classifications (Activities, products, expenditures) Trade Classifications Time Use Classification Technical Subgroup

14. Economic Classifications in UNSD ISIC CPC Classifications of Expenditure According to Purpose: –COFOG –COICOP –COPNI –COPP Others…

15. Next steps for UNSD ISICCPCSITCCOFOG.. * - Update 1948 1958 1968 1989 2002* 1989 1998 2002* 1951 1961 1975 1986 2007 1968 1998 2007??2007?

16. Revision Process for ISIC/CPC - 2007 Initial questionnaire Recorded ISIC/CPC issues Concepts paper Draft high-level structure (ISIC) Regional workshops Country questionnaire Complete ISIC draft Country review Final ISIC draft TSG

17. Information exchange Classifications hotline (CHL) –Contact for interpretation questions, proposals, clarifications etc. email: CHL@un.orgCHL@un.org Fax: 1 (212) 963-1374

18. Information exchange Classifications website –General information and meeting information (EG, TSG, WS) –Classifications registry Updated classifications Revision process Interpretations, Rulings, Proposals –Country monitoring http://unstats.un.org/unsd/class