The European Statistical System (ESS) is the partnership between the Community statistical authority, which is the Commission (Eurostat), and the national statistical institutes (NSIs) and other national authorities responsible in each Member State for the development, production and dissemination of European statistics. The Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) is an active member of the ESS and represents the interests of Latvia in Eurostat working groups and committees, as well as at meetings of the Council Working Party on Statistics.
The Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2009 on European statistics constitutes the legal basis for the preparation of the European statistical programme, providing the framework for the development, production and dissemination of European statistics. The multi-annual (five-year) programme is implemented by annual programmes setting more detailed objectives and outputs for each year. The programme for the period 2013–2017 was established by Regulation (EU) No 99/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2013. It was extended to 2020 by Regulation (EU) 1951/2017. Programme for the development, production and dissemination of European statistics within the meaning of Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 for the period of 2021 – 2027 is established by so called Single Market Regulation once it enters into force.
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After the fulfillment of the ESS Vision 2020 the ESSC in its 35th meeting adopted position paper for ESS priorities beyond 2020. With and overarching aim to remain the leading provider of reliable quantitative information on European societies, the ESS has defined following strategic priorities:
- Satisfied users
Ambition: Ensure that European statistics reach all relevant users and respond to their needs.
- Suitable capabilities
Ambition: The production of European statistics is based on making best use of available resources and reaping the benefits offered by modern technologies.
- Effective partnerships
Ambition: Close collaborationbetween ESS partners and successful strategic cooperation with all relevant external parties to enable constant enhancementof European statistics.
Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development
The CSB participates in the work of the working groups and committees of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), sharing experience and best practices in the development and use of innovative statistical methods with experts of OECD member states . The CSB provides extensive and detailed data for the needs of OECD studies and publications.
United Nations
The CSB represents Latvia in the United Nations (UN) Statistical Commission.. One of the most important tasks of the CSB is the strengthening the its coordinating role in national-level work regarding the indicator framework for measuring sustainable development goals.
By taking part in the work of the UN regional structural unit – United Nations Economic Commission for Europe – and in activities of the Conference of European Statisticians, organised under the auspices thereof, experts of the CSB are involved in the seeking of solutions and responding to the challenges of the statistical community at international scale.
Sustainable Development Goals
In October 2015, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It comprises 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 associated targets, which countries have undertaken to achieve until the year 2030. The targets are mainly aimed at eradicating poverty, reducing inequality and combatting environmental degradation.
In order to monitor the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and measure the results of SDGs, the UN Statistical Commission (UNSC) has been mandated to define global indicators for tracking the SDG goals and targets, as well as provide support to countries in the development of their statistical capacity. During its 47th session in March 2016, the UNSC approved the 230 global indicator framework as a practical starting point for further work and several updates in the indicator framework have been adopted subsequently.
The European Union and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development also carry out work on integrating SDGs into their main lines of activity. The Central Statistical Bureau cooperates with regional and international partners in order to ensure the exchange of information on SDGs.
As the leading institution in national development planning and coordination in Latvia, the Cross-Sectoral Coordination Centre (CSCC) views SDGs in light of the Sustainable Development Strategy of Latvia until 2030 (Latvia 2030). Its interim assessment (available in Latvian) of the National Development Plan of Latvia for 2014–2020 and Latvia 2030 provides opportunities for supplementing policy planning documents with targets that are relevant for Latvia.
The CSB, alongside the CSCC, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is a member of the informal SDGs work group, and has taken part in the preparation of the Voluntary National Report on the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in Latvia.
International guidelines and recommendations promote national statistical institutes, in the case of Latvia – the CSB, as the main contact points for coordination and communication regarding SDGs statistics. Should you have any questions regarding SDGs statistics, please write to iam@csp.gov.lv.