Regional Statistics Governance Group Review Summary

Review of Regional Statistics Governance Group Framework and Terms of Reference PSSC5 S8 KFA5 Govern and Co-ordinate Activity

Pacific Statistics Governance 1. Forum Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM) 2. Heads of Planning and Statistics (HOPS) 3. Pacific Statistics Standing Committee (PSSC) 4. Pacific Statistics Methods Board (PSMB) 5. Donor and Development Partners Group (DDPG) Senior-level strategic oversight, guidance, recommendations and decisions on all statistical matters placed before it. Monitor implementation and progress of Pacific Statistics Strategy. Make decisions on operational matters and recommendations to HOPS . Review technical proposals on methodologies, identify areas requiring research to identify international best practices Strategic guidance and decision-making on significant regional statistics development matters, including governance. Coordinate actions and resource allocations, and provide concrete inputs into statistics development.

Why are we discussing TORs? At the sixth conference of HOPS, members: Directed SPC to work with a group of members, including both planning and statistics heads, to update the TOR of HOPS, PSSC, PSMB, and DDPG with the proposed revisions to include a stronger role for planners and consideration of their interests; taking into account interventions made at the HOPS6 meeting. Agreed that the updated TORs will be developed by October 2024 and presented to the fifth meeting of PSSC for endorsement. Agreed that the regional governance groups will continue to operate under their current TORs until updated TORs are agreed by members

NSOs connection with planning

Planners perspective on HOPS

An inclusive and thorough review Refer to Working paper 5: Review of Regional Statistics Governance Group and Terms of Reference ( https://purl.org/spc/digilib/doc/4zx6c) Established a Working Group on the Review of the TORs in February 2024. Three meetings held by the Working Group in March, May and July. Interviews with planners of Tonga, Samoa, and Papua New Guinea. Working group discussions on options to strengthen role of planners and other areas where regional groups can be strengthened. SPC drafts paper on updated TORs and circulate to members for feedback. Working Group members provide feedback in writing and meetings. SPC finalises updated TORs based on input from members. Co-Chairs and SPC present recommended TORs at PSSC for endorsement on 9-11 October 2024. T

How can we best support planners in HOPS? HOPS6 Planners representation in HOPS should be maintained Interviews with Planners Value HOPS joint meeting of planners and statisticians. An opportunity for planners and statisticians to share challenges, solutions and lessons learnt TOR Working Group HOPS is the only opportunity that brings planners and statisticians together. Setting the meeting to meet everyone s expectations would require minor changes. HOPS is also about planners as key users of statistics and indicators for government priorities. Planners need a more substantial role and inputs in future HOPS meetings with more visibility For making HOPS more relevant for planners, designing the agenda on common grounds, and involving both planners and statisticians and deciding what should be on there is important. Formal sessions should have an equal voice and more visibility. Planners should contribute on ways to integrate into HOPS in a more meaningful way HOPS an avenue that planners can express their needs to statisticians for data and indicators to support the planning function at national and at regional level. Have a clear purpose statement on both planners and statisticians coming together and clear drivers of the meetings.

Do planners need to meet separately from HOPS? TOR Working Group Interview with Planners A separate group would be less efficient and less simple. Better to have joint meeting than to set up a separate regional governance architecture. A separate group would reduce planners ability to use data and evidence for planning. Breaking down to too many groups or adding more groups would be unrealistic as this means more cost, more secretarial work etc. None of the planners were particularly interested in the governance groups like the Pacific Statistics Methods Board (PSMB) or PSSC. Planners were comfortable with the Statisticians talking about technical statistics matters separately. Increasing the number of planners at groups such as PSSC seemed reasonable. But the cost of including more members or other committees need to be considered. While planners have a clear role at HOPS, the PSMB is more technical, and membership may not be in the best interest of Planners As a forum, HOPS needs to cover statistics topics that are less relevant for planners. Interactions and dialogue between planners and statisticians should also take place nationally before HOPS. If meeting separately, it might be useful to do that ahead of the joint HOPS sessions. This would be an opportunity for planners to talk among themselves about their priorities before putting those on the table with the NSO heads. Assessing how much the discussion is needed for planning and for statistics is important, particularly on what the drivers are. Planners are more interested getting up to date, what is going on, what we are thinking about and what they should be aware of.

Options for future state Equal levels of governance and coordination for planning and statistics Statistics governance and coordination more difficult, impacting effectiveness. High cost. Reduced value. Not regarded as needed by planners. Heads of Planning established along with other new groups Planners added to PSSC, PSMB and DDPG All groups agendas shaped for both planners and stats interests Full secretariat support provided for convening planning governance Separation Planning and statistics apart Integration Planning and statistics together Planners removed from HOPS and Heads of Planning established Some cost, but less than above. Enables dedicated governance for Stats and Planning as separate functions. Status quo easiest option. Preferred by planners with some improvements to HOPS agenda. Planners in HOPS Pacific Heads of Statistics could follow UN Stats Comm model. PSSC,PSMB, DDPG focus only on statistics. PSSC,PSMB,DDPG focus on stats governance, methods and support Less governance and coordination for planning, more for statistics

Proposed changes to Regional Statistics Governance Groups TORs

1. Planners should remain in HOPS Recommendations Planners should remain in HOPS and the HOPS meeting should be made more effective for planners. This means having a clear purpose of bringing planners and statisticians together at HOPS, a well-structured agenda on common grounds, involving both planners and statisticians in deciding what topics be covered, and considering which decisions need to go to HOPS. Embed in the HOPS TOR some of the separate meetings needed for planners and heads of statisticians. Proposed changes to the Regional Statistics Governance TORs HOPS Add a clear purpose for bringing together heads of planning and statistics: HOPS is a regular institutional interface between national statistics offices (NSOs), national planners, donors, development partners and the Pacific Community (SPC) to help build the collaborative relationships that are crucial to the successful implementation of regional priorities including the Sustainable Development Goals and the Strategic Framework for Pacific Statistics. A well-structured HOPS agenda on common grounds and involving both planners and statisticians. Embed in the HOPS TOR separate meetings needed for heads of planning and heads of statistics. This will include separate sessions or separate full days for planners and for statisticians, ahead of the joint sessions

2. PSSC, PSMB and DDPG should focus on governance, methods and support for statistics Recommendations Proposed Changes to the Regional Statistics Governance TORS PSSC, PSMB and DDPG should focus primarily on governance of methods and support for statistics with some small changes to the composition of the members. DDPG needs to have the right membership for effectiveness, although it could also be available as a wider forum as there is a lengthy list of other partners interested in joining. For PSSC, there is a similar challenge on getting the right number of members. For the PSMB, membership should be refreshed as it has been comprised on the same set of countries for several years with only one or two additions. PSMB membership and/or participation could also be widened to enable broader impact and value. PSSC: No change recommended to membership for PSSC. Current membership of 10 PICT members provides adequate representation. Participation is wider as others attend as observers with permission of the Chair, including donors and development partners. DDPG: No change recommended to membership. This is currently flexible based on which partners are active in the region, and the chair rotates at each meeting. 15 development partners are listed as active. Others show interest in joining. Participation is self-funded by members. As an open forum for all active partners who want to participate, DDPG best supports its primary purpose as a body for information sharing and coordination PSMB: Current membership is 6 PICT members and 4 development partners (10 total), with wider participation as others attend as observers with permission of the Chair. Increase the number of funded PICT members to 2 per sub-region to benefit ownership for methods in subregions.

3. Strengthen Governance Function of the four regional statistics governance groups- HOPS HOPS Recommendation Proposed Changes to the Regional Statistics Governance TORS Strengthen governance functions of the four regional statistics governance groups. Governance roles need to be spelled out more clearly there should be at least two clear functions for each of the four regional statistics governance groups, to enable clarity of functions and minimise duplication. This could include one function on governance and the other one on a more general information sharing and consultation. HOPS Function Approval and oversight of the implementation of the Strategic Framework for Pacific Statistics Promotion of evidence-based policy development, decision making and planning by Pacific Island governments and leaders to improve the lives of Pacific peoples. Effective and efficient coordination of resources to support the development and production of official statistics and development indicators in the region Encouraging the implementation of regional standards, methods, systems and processes as recommended by the Pacific Statistics Methods Board Information sharing and consultation Report to FEMM on the state of Pacific statistics and evidence-based policy development, decision making and planning by Pacific Island governments

3. Strengthen Governance Function of the four regional statistics governance groups- PSSC PSSC Recommendation Proposed Changes to the Regional Statistics Governance TORS PSSC Function Monitor and guide the implementation of the Strategic Framework on Pacific Statistics by SPC, development partners and PICTs Make decisions on operational matters and recommendations to HOPS on strategic issues of importance for statistics development in the region. Monitor progress on recommendations made at HOPS Identify emerging statistical issues and developments relevant to the region Support initiatives that advance statistical knowledge in the region, including recommendations by PSMB Highlight use of statistics in policy, planning and decision making Strengthen governance functions of the four regional statistics governance groups. Governance roles need to be spelled out more clearly there should be at least two clear functions for each of the four regional statistics governance groups, to enable clarity of functions and minimise duplication. This could include one function on governance and the other one on a more general information sharing and consultation. Information sharing and consultation Report to HOPS on progress of the Strategic Framework of the Pacific Statistics, emerging issues, risks and areas for further discussion.

3. Strengthen Governance Function of the four regional statistics governance groups- PSMB PSMB Recommendation Proposed Changes to the Regional Statistics Governance TORS PSMB Function Support implementation of Strategic Framework on Pacific Statistics, and in particular KFA4: Embed good methods Assess and advise on technical proposals put forward by statistics providers working in the Pacific on statistical methodologies Identify areas requiring research to identify best practices and Advising and recommending on courses of action on technical issues Advocacy to enable the statistical requirements of the Pacific region to be adequately reflected in international standards Strengthen governance functions of the four regional statistics governance groups. Governance roles need to be spelled out more clearly there should be at least two clear functions for each of the four regional statistics governance groups, to enable clarity of functions and minimise duplication. This could include one function on governance and the other one on a more general information sharing and consultation. Make decisions on technical matters / or recommendations to PSSC and HOPS when there are significant non-technical implications that require their consideration. Information sharing and consultation Report to PSSC and HOPS on progress of Strategic Framework on Pacific Statistics KFA4: Embed good methods Consult on and recommend adoption of regional standards, methods, systems and processes by HOPS, PSSC, NSOs and development partners

3. Strengthen Governance Function of the four regional statistics governance groups- DDPG DDPG Recommendation Proposed Changes to the Regional Statistics Governance TORS DDPG Functions: Support implementation of the Strategic Framework on Pacific Statistics by partners Act as a forum for donors and development partners to facilitate a coordinated, strategic approach for statistical assistance and collaboration Discuss opportunities to enhance coordination and collaboration and to minimise duplication of support Collate an overview of Pacific partnership programs and statistical assistance Strengthen governance functions of the four regional statistics governance groups. Governance roles need to be spelled out more clearly there should be at least two clear functions for each of the four regional statistics governance groups, to enable clarity of functions and minimise duplication. This could include one function on governance and the other one on a more general information sharing and consultation. Information sharing and consultation Share information among partners on activities and support DDPG is principally a coordination and discussion forum and has no formal reporting to HOPS and PSSC. It is free to communicate matters of significance or concern to HOPS and PSSC as it deems necessary

4. Enhance HOPS Meeting Arrangements HOPS Meeting Arrangements / Procedures Meeting arrangements targeted to be relevant to different interests will provide strong benefits for planners and statisticians. At HOPS, this could include separate sessions or separate full days for planners and for statisticians, ahead of the joint sessions. Having a separation between formal governance sessions and interactive side events would also provide more opportunity to engage and talk within the informal sessions. Formal sessions should have an equal voice for both planners and statisticians. At country level, interactions and dialogue between planners and statisticians should take place nationally before HOPS. Country-led national interactions and dialogue between planners and statisticians should take place before HOPS HOPs week should include informal separate half or full day sessions for planners. HOPS week should include separate half/full day sessions for statisticians HOPS week should include interactive side events bringing all members and stakeholders together HOPS formal governance sessions should include both planners and statisticians (where possible with equal voices) HOPs should meet every two years Specify that SPC will fund participation of 1 NSO head and 1 planner at HOPS (and elected PICT members at PSSC and PSMB)

Full updated terms of reference Full terms of reference incorporating these changes are in working paper 5 The paper and TORs have been circulated to NSOs and planners from all member countries for their review and agreement. No objections or proposed changes have been received The spirit of governance stays true to its origins, with updates to align groups with the current context in the Pacific. No major changes are proposed: no new groups are being proposed, no groups are being disestablished.

Engagement with members Stakeholder PICT NSOs, Planners and Partners Date Sep 2024 Outcome Draft paper circulated to all PICT NSOs, national planners and development partners in DDPG for agreement and input. Working Group on Regional Governance Mar, May, Jul 2024 The group provided input on options to strengthen the role of planners and regional governance, advised on response to input from interviews with planners, developed recommendations for PSSC, and endorsed proposed PSSC paper. National planners of Tonga, Samoa, and Papua New Guinea May 2024 1:1 interviews provided input on how planners value HOPS and how to make HOPS more relevant for planners in interviews. All feedback has been taken into account in the recommendations. HOPS6 Oct 2023 Following discussion on progress with regional governance, HOPS directed SPC to work with a group of members, including both planning and statistics heads, to update the TOR of HOPS, PSSC, PSMB, and DDPG with the proposed revisions to include a stronger role for planners and consideration of their interests

PSSC is invited to: Note the thorough review process undertaken in 2024 and the options considered in this paper for the future state, Note the changes proposed in this paper to strengthen regional governance, and Endorse the updated TORs for the HOPS, PSSC, PSMB and DDPG. Note that there will not be sign off, if members do not agree with the recommendations