Insights from PSMB Meetings on Pacific Statistics Methodology

PSMB14 Meeting 7 8 October 2024, Port Vila, Vanuatu

Introductions Role: Review technical proposals on methodologies, identify areas requiring research to identify international best practices and make appropriate decisions on technical matters / or recommendations to PSSC and HOPS, as needed. PSMB14 Attendees 25 (8 Members, observers, SPC secretariat, Development Partners) Apologies Samoa: Leota Aliielua Salani Fiji: Kemueli Naiqama UNICEF: James Kaphuka, Senior Policy Specialist

Agenda Agenda PSMB Opening Session 1. Innovative Experiments for Collection Methods (5 items) Session 2: Commissioned Work (2 items) Session 3. Progress on data harmonisation and methods (3 items) Session 4. Economic Statistics (3 items) Session 5. PacStat and future projects to support Pacific methodology and innovation (2 items) PSMB 14 Outcomes Meeting agenda, papers and presentations are online: https://sdd.spc.int/pacific-statistics- methods-board-psmb

PSMB13 - review of actions Session 1 Innovative Experiments and Commissioned Works Status Tuvalu Long Form Census: The Board congratulated Tuvalu on the preliminary report and looks forward to the final report to be presented at PSMB 14. Completed report - on PSMB14 agenda Climate Change Commissioned Work: The Board noted the progress that had been made and advised the countries were in the best position to prioritise the areas to be taken forward. Strong progress - on PSMB14 agenda Microdata Anonymisation Commissioned Work: The Board noted the considerable discussion that had been taken around the microdata anonymisation issue, especially data protection and confidentiality, capacity building and standardisation criteria. They looked forward to the first draft of the report at PSMB 14. Strong progress - on PSMB14 agenda Proposed Topics for Innovative Experiment 4 and Commissioned Work 5: SPC thanked all the presenters for their high-quality proposals and noted that today s discussion points had provided useful feedback for SPC to take forward Three approved by PacStat: Tuvalu Innovative Experiment Kiribati - Commissioned Work Tonga - Commissioned Work

Session 2 Pacific Indicators and the 2050 Strategy Status 2.1 Pacific Indicator Guidelines: The Board acknowledged and appreciated the work already done to provide a good resource for countries to use in developing their own national development plans and indicators. Completed on PSSC5 agenda 2.2 2050 Strategy Monitoring Framework: The Board appreciated the update on progress, noting that further indicators are to be developed and that NSOs will be included in the process shortly. Strong progress update on PSSC5 agenda Session 3 Gender and human rights statistics methods Status 3.1 Time Use Survey: The Board noted the progress that had been made on the time use guidelines and endorsed the establishment of a small expert thematic sub- group to develop operational guidelines. Progress delayed 3.2 Integration of Data Collection Activities (HIES and MICS): The Board agreed to establish a small working group to continue the exchange of ideas on enhancing cost effectiveness, noting that no one solution will fit all countries. Progress delayed 3.3 The Pacific Disability Statistics Program: PSMB acknowledged the good progress made by the Pacific Group on Disability Statistics, and also noted the need to expand social statistics work programs to include other vulnerable groups (e.g. the elderly, the displaced). Project in progress

Session 4 Pacific Methods Guidance Notes 4.1 Food Data Processing: The Board approved publication of the Guidance Note. The Board noted that ongoing training would be needed to complement the Guidance Note. Experience with applying the Guidance Note, and any changes advised, will be presented to the PSMB in May 2025. Publication in progress 4.2 Estimation of the Use Value of Fixed Assets: PSMB agreed to just note the paper. It requires further consultation with NSOs before being progressed for approval by PSMB. As a reminder, all papers submitted to the Board must be well consulted before submission. Progress delayed 4.3 HIES Methods Toolkit: The Board endorsed the development of the comprehensive toolkit and agreed that a complete version be presented for approval to PSMB 14. In completing the toolkit, the SPC was asked to carefully distinguish between designing a HIES and managing one; to take a product-focused approach based on identifying the survey s end products (reports, tables, etc); and to look to the UNICEF MICS toolkit for inspiration and good practice. Progress delayed

Session 6. Topics for future methods guidance Status Board requested receipt of papers well in advance of future PSMB meetings to provide sufficient time for their pre-review Further improvement needed Board requested inclusion on the PSMB 14 agenda of a potential PacStat 2 expending the scope of the initial PacStat Completed on PSMB14 agenda

Membership - the updated TOR Members [Increased number of PICT members from 1 to 2 per sub-region, aligning composition with PSSC] Two representatives of NSOs from each of the three sub-regions (Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia) and one representative of small NSOs (with 10 or less staff). These representatives will be NSO heads, deputies or senior methodologists. Three representatives representing development partners, namely: Statistics NZ, the Australian Bureau of Statistics, and a United Nations agency active in the Pacific Appointments of members [Election process for PICT members added and aligned with PSSC process] PICT NSO heads will be invited to submit nominations for representatives from each of the Pacific subregions and the small NSOs. Members will be appointed at the HOPS meeting for the period until the next HOPS meeting. Chair and Deputy [Election process added. Terms adjusted to two years to align with updated frequency of HOPS] A chair and deputy chair will be elected by the PSMB members for a term of two years. They may be re- elected if a simple majority votes in their favour.