Transcript Round Table on Past and Future of the ICP Project Giovanni SAVIO OIC, Statistics Division, UN-ESCWA Manama, 20-21 February 2008

Round Table on Past and Future
of the ICP Project
Giovanni SAVIO
OIC, Statistics Division, UN-ESCWA
Manama, 20-21 February 2008
Introduction

Starting point is the document prepared by the
Friends of the Chair (FOC), Review of the ICP,
2005 Round (NY, Stat. Comm., Feb. 2008,
E/CN.3/2008/4, also available at UNSD website)

Document and points to be analyzed in NY as
reference for costs-benefits (S.W.A.T.) analysis of
the past round (document for discussion and
decision)

Document as evaluation by FOC assessing scope,
activities and lessons learned from the current
round of ICP
Introduction
 Document provides recommendations where
improvements can be made, and proposal by FOC on
continuation of the program
 Round table to analyze main issues raised in the NY
document …
 … as only 3 over 11 WA countries answered FOC
questionnaire (regular survey)
FOC working method
 FOC working method based on 4 instruments
1) Regular survey for all 147 countries participating
in the regular ICP 2005 round (a number of
subject areas covered, with main focus on
governance issues, such as the basis for decisionmaking and communication)
2) Survey for the 17 ring countries (follows
structure of regular questionnaire)
3) Users’ views on the ICP (45 international
organizations)
Regular survey
 A large majority (93%) of the ICP group countries are satisfied
with their participation in the 2005 round and confirms that
they would participate in a next round
 The ICP has had wide positive effects on the national
statistical programmes both in the field of price statistics and
national accounts. The ICP meant substantial contributions in
building national statistical capacities (institutional and
technical) both in larger and smaller countries
 However, communication between regional and national
coordinators needs to be improved. 77% of countries confirm
that the various parts of the ICP had a significant impact on the
workload of the NSIs, in part due to delays and adjustment of
the base year. Some of the participants argue that
communication and decision process in periods have been
unilateral and mandatory
Ring survey
 Overall 81% of countries are positive with the participation in the
ring survey
 Although the attitude is mainly positive, it is not without
reservations, among these:
– owing to delays in the regular ICP surveys, the Ring comparison
started too late in the process and lost the flexibility needed to make
adjustments underway
– problems with product specification, language and communication
problems, too many consumption products on the list and differing
product quality across regions etc. have all added to the national
workload
– a number of countries express doubts about the quality of price data
collected for the Ring comparison
– a common concern of the countries is the lack of communication
among the parties involved (lack of a common validation meeting
comprising all Ring countries that would contribute to solve
problems with product lists and regional differences in quality)
Users’ point of view
 The availability of high quality PPPs is important, PPPs are used
in a number of situations (commercial purposes, policy-making,
research, international comparisons etc.)
 The majority of the users publish PPP-based indicators. The
demand is high and is assumed to increase given the process of
globalization
 Indicators measuring standards of living and poverty are
frequently demanded. UNCTAD would even support the
computation of poverty-specific PPPs
 The answer to whether there should be another round of ICP in
2010 is unarguably affirmative
 However this is feasible only as long as the data are timely,
reliable and available across a large number of countries. The list
of developing countries participating should be expanded
Governance structure
Main issues for
discussion (ctd.)



For strengthening the Global Office competence and capacity on
price statistics, national account issues as well as running the
Ring survey programmes, it is recommended that partnering
arrangements be established with one or two NSIs from the
outset of a next round
Communication aspects require further attention before
launching a new round. Important aspects of the Ring
comparison communication fell short during this round.
Furthermore, the communication between regional and national
coordinators needs to be improved
The ambition of developing ICP to full GDP coverage should be
continued. To fulfil these ambitions, however, would require a
clear strategy of standardization and integration between
different statistical programmes. With the rapidly increasing
workload of statistical offices, it is decisive for the future of ICP
with a closer alignment with other statistical programmes in
Main issues for
discussion


Final remark of document:
Overall, the governance structure of the 2005 ICP round has worked
well
However, the report contains several recommendations
a. a decision on continuation of ICP should be taken early in 2008.
A preferable new benchmark year could be 2011. This would
bring the ICP at pace with the OECD/Eurostat system, enabling
further integration of the two programmes.
b. The responsibilities and authority of the Global Manager should
be strengthened. Terms of reference should be prepared,
clarifying the roles and responsibilities of being host
organization. The Global Manager should be appointed by a
subcommittee from the Executive Board members.
Points for discussion
1. Overall evaluation of report
2. Proposed changes to the report, if any
3. Signature of the preface: proposals, Member of
Executive Board