Statistical priorities in the European context

Cooperation of ESAC and the National User Councils

A joint seminar was held in Athens on 26 and 27 March under the title Statistical priorities in the European context: User perspectives and consultation mechanisms. It was organised by the European Statistical Advisory Committee (ESAC), the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) and Eurostat. The main purpose of the seminar was to further develop the relationship between ESAC and the National User Councils and to foster the user involvement in the definition of future thematic statistical priorities.

The seminar took place in the context of major climate change and the ecological transition, sustainable development issues, technological progress (artificial inteligence), demographic challenges with the ageing population and the migration flows, etc. All these developments pose significant challenges for official statistics and foresight on important areas, emerging statistical needs and new priorities is essential. Eurostat made an introductory presentation on the main EU political priorities that would impact the thematic statistical priorities to be defined for the coming years.

Representatives of the National User Councils shared their views about emerging needs in specific areas. There was also discussion on how to further develop cooperation between the ESAC and the National User Councils, which included the presentation of the best practices at the national level. On that occasion, Ivana Šuman, a member of the Statistical Council of the Republic of Croatia and Secretary General of the Ministry of Economy, explained the role of the council and its importance within the Croatian statistical system. Namely, the Council is an advisory and expert body that deals with strategic issues of official statistics, which was established to ensure the influence of users, science and the general public on the activities of official statistics.

The representatives of the Croatian Bureau of Statistics in the seminar were Linda Kasalo Malić, Deputy Director General of the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, and Branka Ostrman, Head of the Strategic Development of Statistical System Department.

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