UNCEISC meeting 2024
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 will take place online in two days, on 14 - 15 May 2024, starting at 6am New York time. Background notes will be made available in advance of the meeting, containing key questions for discussion. All participants are invited to read the background notes in advance of the meeting. This will ensure a focused discussion during each session.
Programme
Day 1 - Tuesday, 14 MAY 2024
6:00 am - 6:20 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, welcome to new members, and adoption of agenda
- ▪ Andrew Hancock, Chair of UNCEISC
6:20 am - 6:30 am
Session 1. Update of work progress on classifications
This session will review the work progress of the UNCIESC since its last meeting in October 2023, including the actions points from the 2023 Committee meeting, outcome of the 55th session of the United Nations Statistical Commission in 2024.
- Background documents:
- ▪ UNSC 2024 report
- ▪ Summary of Conclusions of the 2023 UNCEISC meeting
- ▪ Revised mandate of the UNCEISC
6:30 am - 9:00 am
Session 2. Regular revision cycle for ISIC and CPC
The UN Statistical Commission at its 55th session in 2024 recommended more frequent revision of ISIC and CPC so these classifications accurately mirror economic realities and aid in effective policymaking;
noted the recommendation by the Committee of a five-year revision cycle and acknowledged the concerns expressed about that frequency; noted the need for an adequate statistical infrastructure, concerted efforts and dedicated resources
to implement the recommendation; and requested the Committee to propose and evaluate procedures, stages and milestones for implementing a regular revision cycle for ISIC and CPC leading to the next revision, and report back to the
Commission by 2028
.
This session will discuss the way forward in developing a proposal for implementing a regular revision cycle of ISIC and CPC, taking into consideration the decisions of the 2024 UNSC.
Presentation and discussion
- Presentations:
- ▪ Developing a proposal for implementing a regular revision cycle (Julian Chow, UNSD)
- ▪ Business cases for regular revision cycle for ISIC and CPC (Vincent Russo, US Bureau of Labour Statistics and Franklin Assoumou Ndong, Statistics Canada)
- ▪ Implementing a regular revision cycle for the ISIC - issue paper (Claude Macchi and Matthias Flohr, Eurostat).
- ▪ Exploratory Study on the Possible Strategic Review of HS, focusing on revision cycle and implementation (Tashi Namgay, WCO)
Day 2 - Wednesday, 15 May 2024
6:00 am - 7:30 am
Session 3: Statistical Classifications: Methodology and process for the standing Task Team on ISIC and CPC
To facilitate the ongoing maintenance, updating and implementation of ISIC and CPC, the Commission, at its fifty-fourth meeting, in 2023, endorsed the establishment of standing task teams for ISIC and CPC. At its meeting in October 2023, the Committee agreed to set up one consolidated standing task team on ISIC and CPC, which will be a permanent task team reporting to the Committee for the ongoing maintenance and revision of both ISIC and CPC.
The establishment of a standing task team for the maintenance, update and implementation of ISIC and CPC is necessary to support the regular revision of these classifications, including the monitoring of classification issues that emerge between revisions and pursuing the resolution of issues placed on a research agenda, leading to the next revision. The standing task team on ISIC and CPC will be tasked with developing an implementation and maintenance strategy and research agenda for ISIC and CPC. This session will discuss the methodology and process for the standing Task Team on ISIC and CPC (STT-ISIC/CPC). The TOR of STT-ISIC/CPC will be presented for endorsement.
Presentation and discussion
- Presentations:
- ▪ Terms of reference for the standing task team on ISIC and CPC (UNSD)
- ▪ Process and regular work of updating the Harmonized System within a review cycle (Ulla Larsson, WCO)
- Background document:
- ▪ Terms of reference for the standing task team on ISIC and CPC (UNSD)
7:30 am - 7:40 am
Break
7:40 am - 8:50 am
Session 4: Update on COFOG, ICCS and other classifications
This session will review the work progress on the Classification of the Functions of Government( COFOG), International Classification of Crime for Statistical Purpose (ICCS) and other classifications.
- Presentations:
- ▪ Revision of the Classification of the Functions of Government (Tom Orford, UK HM Treasury, Chair of TT-COFOG)
- ▪ International Classification of Crime for Statistical Purposes (Martijn Kind, UNODC).
- Background documents:
- ▪ [Draft - for discussion] International Classification of Crime for Statistical Purposes: Implementation Manual (UNODC)
8:50 am - 9:00 am
Concluding Remarks
- ▪ Andrew Hancock, Chair of the UNCEISC
- ▪ Julian Chow, UNSD