Overview
In anticipating the increased and more diverse demand for ASEAN statistics at both national and regional level, the ASEAN Framework of Cooperation in Statistics (AFCS) was adopted by the ASEAN Heads of Statistical Offices Meeting (AHSOM) and acknowledged by ASEAN leaders at the 17th ASEAN Summit in 2010. The overall objectives of AFCS are to strengthen organisational framework and statistical capacity of ASEAN Member States (AMS) in order to be able to produce timely and comparable statistics in support of a rule-based ASEAN community.
To implement the AFCS, ASEAN Community Statistical System (ACSS) was established in 2011. It consists of national statistical systems of AMS, and the relevant sectoral bodies under ASEAN Community Council. The current vision of ACSS is to be responsive in providing high quality statistics, with the mission to provide relevant, timely and comparable ASEAN statistics in support of evidence-based policy and decision making and enhance the capacity of ASEAN Member States and ASEAN Secretariat.
The current (2016-2025) ACSS Strategic Plan provides the framework for an effective facilitation, coordination, production, harmonisation, dissemination and communication of ASEAN Statistics. It also charts the mechanism in ensuring sustainable development in the dissemination of statistical information, delivery of statistical information needs, and statistical capacity building.
Priority Areas of Cooperation
ACSS Strategic Plan 2016-2025 outlines four major components:
- Institutional Strengthening, enhancement of ACSS and its sustainability;
- Improvement of response to greater ASEAN data needs;
- Enhancing the dissemination, communication, visibility and use of ASEAN statistics; and
- Bridging the gap towards sustainable statistical development
It covers various domains of economic statistics, such as macro-economic statistics, international merchandise trade statistics (IMTS), statistics of international trade in services (SITS), and foreign direct investment statistics (FDIS) as well as social and demographic statistics, including Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicators.
ACSS Committee
The ASEAN Community Statistical System (ACSS) Committee is the highest policy making and coordinating body on statistical matters in the ASEAN region. It was formally established in 2011 as a reconstitution of ASEAN Heads of Statistical Offices Meeting (AHSOM). The ACSS Committee shall be responsible for strengthening regional statistical cooperation in support of the ASEAN Community, and provide professional guidance on the production, dissemination and communication of ASEAN statistics.
The ACSS Committee reports to the ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting (AEM), through the Senior Economic Officials Meeting (SEOM), its plans, progress and issues. However, as far as pillar-specific inputs and consultations are needed; the ACSS Committee shall also consult the respective ASEAN bodies
Currently there are seven (7) Working Groups under ACSS Committee, namely:
- WG on International Merchandise Trade Statistics (WGIMTS)
- WG on International Investment Statistics (WGIIS);
- WG on International Trade in Services (WGSITS);
- WG on Sustainable Development Goals Indicators (WGSDGIs);
- WG on System National Accounts (WGSNA);
- WG on Data Sharing, Analysis, Dissemination and Communication Statistics (WGDSA); and
- ACSS Sub-Committee on Planning and Coordination (SCPC)
More information on the ACSS along with relevant reference documents and publications can be accessed from the ASEANstats website: www.aseanstats.org
