Statistics

ECO Databank

Compendium

Metadata

Methodology

ECO Regional Harmonized Statistical Methodology

Preamble

During 5th Meeting of ECO High Level Expert Group on Statistics (HLEGM)
(4-5 December 2012, Ankara, Turkey) the ECO Member States considered the agenda item of the ECO Regional Harmonized Statistical Methodology.

1. Previously, in the implementation of the decisions of the 3^rd HLEGM on Statistics (5-6 October 2010, Kabul) and agreement of the meeting for setting up the Committee on Regional Harmonized Statistical Methodology (CRHSM), the Secretariat prepared the Draft Framework for the Regional Harmonized Statistical Methodology. That draft document had, in turn, evolved from the detailed discussions at the preceding HLEG Meetings.

Since then, the ECO Secretariat has assisted in forming the CRHSM. The latter Committee then developed its Terms of reference and work plan. The work plan of the CRHSM as well as its functioning was built on the very concept of the “ECO Harmonized Regional Statistical Methodology. The said Methodology was then unanimously adopted by the First Meeting of the Heads of National Statistical Offices (ECO-NSOs) of the Member States on 28-29 September 2008.

According to the concept of the ECO Regional Harmonized Statistical Methodology, the process of the harmonization in regional statistics is the core of the regional statistical activities in ECO.

Based on the aforementioned concept, the CRHSM should not limit itself to the methodological aspects only, but rather consider harmonization processes in comprehensive statistical information systems where the data production is to be based on a set of core indicators specific for the ECO region, and in that respect, the Regional Methodology should look into the classifications, definitions, concepts, and also, oversee the matters relating to the methodological work.

Oversight

The ECO Regional Statistical Methodology is to be overseen by the ECO Committee on Regional Harmonized Statistical Methodology (CRHSM).

The CRHSM was granted the mandate to look into the following matters:

1. Assign responsibilities within the Committee for clarity and transparency in the work of the CRHSM and for the effective fulfillment of the responsibilities by the Committee Members.
2. Follow the comprehensive concept of the “ECO Harmonized Regional Statistical Methodology” throughout all stages of its development, use and improving.
3. Specify and continually update the topics of the methodological work for the ECO region.
4. Prioritize the areas of the main focus of the methodological development.
5. The Member States may need to undertake studies for identifying the ECO-specific areas of the methodological work.
6. The scope of the harmonization process within the ECO Regional Statistics should be limited to core economic activities of the ECO and its institutions.
7. Establish a Working Group comprising the two sub-groups, one consisting of the Representatives of the Central Asian sub-region, and the other of the Representatives of others sub-regions of ECO.
8. Identify target expectations from the activity of the Committee.

The 5th Meeting of ECO High Level Expert Group on Statistics (HLEGM) (4-5 December 2012, Ankara, Turkey) approved the Terms of reference of the Committee on Regional Harmonized Statistical Methodology

Harmonization

The process of harmonization in regional statistics is indispensable of metadata. In view that the process should describe the methodologies that are being currently used by regional countries, which, in fact, vary, in their content as well as in the range, and in the areas of application, the CRHSM suggested that the regional methodology is to be viewed as a general document without specifying particular methodologies with respect to the varying methodologies of the regional countries.