UNCEISC meeting 2023

Meeting of the United Nations Committee of Experts on International Statistical Classifications

  • New York
  • 24-27 October 2023

Overview

The UN Committee of Experts on International Statistical Classifications is the central coordination body for the work on international statistical classifications that are the responsibility of the Statistics Division, and for the coordination and review of other international statistical classifications that are the responsibility of other international organizations and that have been proposed for adoption by the Statistical Commission.

The meeting of the UNCEISC will take place at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, from 24 to 27 October 2023. Background notes will be made available in advance of the meeting, containing key questions for discussion during the meeting. Participants are asked to read the background notes in advance of the meeting. This will ensure a focused discussion during each session.

Programme


Day 1 - Tuesday, 24 October 2023


9:30 am - 10:00 am
Opening and objectives of the meeting
  • Opening statements
  • ▪ Stefan Schweinfest, Director, United Nations Statistics Division
  • ▪ Andrew Hancock, Statistics New Zealand and Chair of the Committee of Experts on International Statistical Classification (UNCEISC)
  • Introduction of participants and adoption of agenda
  • ▪ Andrew Hancock, Chair of UNCEISC

10:00 am - 11:00 am
Session 1. Mandate and Governance of UNCEISC

This session will review the Mandate of the Committee of Experts on International Statistical Classifications. This includes assessment of modernisation processes for the administration and running of the Bureau and Committee, establishing a timeline for virtual meetings and potential physical meetings, future areas of work, the evolving role of the UNCEISC and its working relationships with other Committees reporting to, and mandated by, the UN Statistical Commission.


11:00 am - 11:30 am
Coffee break

11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Session 2. Review of the International Family of Classifications

This session will review the organization and content of the International Family of Classifications identifying any gaps and identifying classifications which may need to be retired or replaced in the family


12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Lunch break

2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Session 3. Review of the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC)

This session will review the work done by the Task team on ISIC on the finalization of the explanatory notes, the identification of the initial list of issues for the research agenda of future revision and the review of the Terms of Reference of the standing task team on ISIC. During this session, the Committee will discuss the establishment of a regular revision cycle for ISIC and the plans for the implementation of ISIC Rev. 5.


3:00 pm - 3:45 pm
Coffee break

3:45 pm - 5:30 pm
Session 3. Review of the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC) (continued)

Day 2 - Wednesday, 25 October 2023


8:00 am - 10:00 am
Session 4: Statistical Classifications: A Foundational Building Block for Data Integration (1st webinar of the International Classification Sprints)

This session will discuss how to raise awareness of the importance of international statistical classifications with both internal and external users and highlight the importance of investing in classification work as a foundation for data integration by showcasing real life applications inside and outside NSOs. This session will be organized together with the Network of Economic Statisticians.


10:00 am - 10:15 am
Coffee break

10:15 am - 10:45 am
Review of conclusions of the previous day

10:45 am - 12:30 am
Session 5: Modernization of classifications

This session will discuss issues related to the modernization of classifications. This will include for example the discussion on a strategy for revision cycles and dynamic updating processes; update on the best practices for developing new classifications; the review of the coding system for classifications, code numbering and criteria for defining titles, the development of semantic web, the re-activation of a discussion forum; mechanism for communication on new advances on classifications from Committee's members.


12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Lunch break

2:00 pm - 3:15 pm
Session 6. Review and approval of classifications -CEP

This session will go through the approval of classifications that are being submitted to the Committee for endorsement as international statistical classifications.


3:15pm - 3:30pm
Coffee break

3:30pm - 4:30pm
Session 7. Review and approval of other classifications - GET

This session will go through the approval of classifications that are being submitted to the Committee for endorsement as international statistical classifications.


6:00 pm
Group Dinner

Day 3 - Thursday, 26 October 2023


9:00 am - 9:30 am
Review of conclusions of the previous day

9:30 am - 10:45 am
Session 8. Revision of the Central Product Classification

This session will review the progress in the revision of CPC and discuss the plan for the finalization of this classification. This session will also discuss the plans for the implementation of the revised CPC and the tools to assists countries in its implementation. This session will review the Terms of Reference for the standing task team on CPC and the discussion on a regular revision cycle.


10:45 am - 11:00 am
Coffee break

11:00 am - 12:15 pm
Session 8: Revision of the Central Product Classification (continued)

12:15 pm - 1:45 pm
Lunch break

1:45 pm - 2:45 pm
Session 9. Revision of the Classification of the Functions of Government (COFOG)

This session will provide an update from various custodians on classifications that are under revision or are being planned to be revised in the near future.

  • ▪ Classification of the Functions of Government (COFOG)

2:45 pm - 3:30 pm
Session 10. Revision of the Standard International Classification of Energy Products (SIEC)

This session will review the progress of work on the revision of SIEC and the outcome of the global consultation on the list of issues for the revision of SIEC.


3:30 pm - 3:45 pm
Coffee break

3:45 pm - 5:00 pm
Session 11. International Classification on Violence Against Children (ICVAC); Alternative Care for Children

This session will provide an update on the implementation plan of ICVAC and discuss the proposal to develop an international statistical classification on alternative care for children that are under revision or are being planned to be revised in the near future.


Day 4 - Friday, 27 October 2023


9:00 am - 9:30 am
Review of conclusions of the previous day

9:30 am - 10:15 am
Session 12. Updates on other classifications

This session will review the This session will provide an update from various custodians on other classifications that are under revision or are being planned to be revised in the near future.

  • ▪ Standard International Trade Classification
  • ▪ Classification of Business Functions
  • ▪ International Standard Classification of Occupations

10:30 am - 10:45 am
Coffee break

10:45am - 11:45 am
Session 13. Way forward on the regular revision cycle for ISIC and CPC

Based on the discussion in previous days, this session will discuss recommendations on the revision cycle of ISIC and CPC to be brought to the UN Statistical Commission.


11:45 am - 1:00 pm
Session 14. Future work and closing remarks
  • ▪ Andrew Hancock, Chair of the UNCEISC
  • ▪ Julian Chow, UNSD