Marrakech Action Plan for Statistics

A renewed action plan for statistics, "Statistics for Transparency, Accountability, and Results: A Busan Action Plan for Statistics," was endorsed by the High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Busan, in November 2011. The renewed action plan builds on the progress made over the last decade under the MAPS, while providing directions for the decade ahead.

Good statistics are important for achieving better development results. The Marrakech Action Plan for Statistics is a global plan for improving development statistics, agreed at the Second International Roundtable on Managing for Development Results in Morocco in 2004.

Eight programs have been developed with the UN and other international agencies to take the identified actions into practice. Much progressed has been achieved, which is highlighted by the following as of March 2014:

  • 86.6% of IDA countries have completed/are designing an NSDS. A further 12.2% are planning to design a strategy by the end of 2013.
  • 205 countries conducted a census by the end of 2013 (197 by 2012), accounting for over 90 percent of the world's population.
  • The International Household Survey Network (IHSN) established a household survey catalog with more than 3,352 surveys, by February 2014, developed NADA, the National Data Archive in which survey and census data are being published, created a tool for microdata anonymization, as well as the DDI international metadata standard.
  • The Accelerated Data Program (ADP) complements the activities of the IHSN by promoting the use of tools and guidelines at country level and best use of available data through improved practices of data collection, management and dissemination. The number of agencies participating in ADP is increasing: more than 74 countries have received training and support by the end of 2013.

Activities of these partners to implement MAPS actions received support by the Development Grant Facility in 2014:

MAPS Action Plan

MAPS actions are:

  • Strategies for better statistics: over 100 countries have prepared (or are preparing) a National Strategy for the Development of Statistics as a basis for improving statistical capacity.
  • Increased investment in statistics: many countries are now implementing their strategies, some with external support - though much more is needed.
  • Support for the 2010 Census round: a World Program has been launched by the UN to support the 2010 census round, with technical assistance and advocacy activities.
  • Launch an international household survey network: to better coordinate international household survey efforts and to provide countries with helpful planning and dissemination tools.
  • Support improvements in measuring the Millennium Development Goals some specialized agencies have implemented programs to help countries improve statistical capacity in key areas, such as education, health, urban welfare, and gender.
  • Improve accountability for international statistics: principles of international statistics have been agreed and tools for better coordination of statistical capacity building programs have been developed.

The Development Grant Facility has provided grants to several partner agencies to implement MAPS actions, including the following programs:

Evaluations

OECD / PARIS 21: Support for NSDS processes

OECD/PARIS 21: IHSN

OECD/PARIS 21: ADP

UNSD: Census

UNSD: Gender Statistics

UNECE: Gender Statistics

UIS

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