Recent meeting:

Informal Expert Consultation on CountrySTAT 17 to 19 March 2003 (FAO Headquarters - Ethiopia Room C-285)

BACKGROUND
The Statistics Division of FAO developed, more than three decades ago, a computerized system through which all segments of food and agricultural statistics are linked and integrated. This system was revamped in 1990 and renamed FAOSTAT. It consists of a working database and a dissemination system. FAOSTAT covers the storage and processing of raw data as well as elaborating various types of derived statistical indicators. These include index numbers, commodity balances, food balance sheets, etc.

Unfortunately, the current system has become outdated and lacks modern technical components/software and therefore needs to be rewritten and brought to the state-of-the-art today. Part of FAOSTAT2, the new database, will be CountrySTAT, a tool which inter alia allows FAO to transfer its experience and know-how to countries as many have requested FAO assistance in establishing and developing their statistical systems.

PURPOSE OF THE MEETING
The objective of the Consultation is to seek the advice of experts regarding the conceptualization of CountrySTAT including its definition, scope, coverage, software needs, and its complementary role to FAOSTAT2, as well as exchanging information between the two systems. This will be a critical input into the technical architecture of the new system.

PARTICIPANTS
The Consultation will be attended by some 20 International Experts in the area of agricultural statistics including Representatives of International and Inter-Governmental Organizations in view of their outstanding experience in developing country data and their dissemination.

VENUE
The meeting will be held during 3 full working days (17, 18 and 19 March 2003) in the Ethiopia Room (C-285) at FAO Headquarters.

LIST OF DOCUMENTS

- CountrySTAT - a provisional framework
- National Agricultural Statistical Information Needs on CountrySTAT
- CountrySTAT: Computing Functionalities and Requirements for National Agricultural Statistical Systems
- Final Report - Informal Expert Consultation on CountrySTAT 17 -19 March 2003

PRESENTATIONS

- Presentation of the current FAOSTAT database (PowerPoint 3.82MB)
- Presentation of the new FAOSTAT2 database (PowerPoint 127KB)
- The Fisheries Global information System: statistical component

PROVISIONAL AGENDA

INFORMATION NOTE:

TRAVEL

Attention is drawn to the strict provisions in force regarding entry into Italy, including the refusal of entry to persons not having the required visas. Participants requiring entry visas must obtain these from the Italian Consulate or Diplomatic Mission in their country before leaving for Rome. It should be noted that, since Italy's adherence to the Schengen Agreement, the issuance of an Italian entry visa may require up to three weeks.

Those participants travelling from a country where there is no Italian Consulate or Diplomatic Mission may obtain a visa from an Embassy of another Schengen country locally represented.

In exceptional circumstances and in cases where there is no other Schengen Embassy locally available, a visa can be requested for arrival in Rome provided that the traveller advises the FAO Protocol Branch, Rome, by fax ( Ms. M. Lombardi-Conti, fax no. +39 06 57054396) of: -full name, -date and place of birth, -nationality and passport number and issuance/expiry date as well as flight number,arrival date and full itinerary. Apart from stop-over on inward-leg, no stay in another Schengen country is allowable in this case. The information must reach FAO at least three weeks before the arrival of participants to permit the Protocol Branch to request the issue of an entry visa at Rome airport. Participants failing to comply with the above will not be allowed by the Italian authorities to enter Italy.

FAO is a smoke-free area. Smoking is not permitted inside any of the FAO buildings.

Registration of Experts and handing-over of building pass will take place at the FAO reception desk in the main entrance of Bld. A on 17 March 2003 at 09.00.

HOTEL BOOKING

Block booking has been arranged at:
Aventino S. Anselmo Hotels Piazza S. Anselmo, 2 00153 Rome 00153
tel.:+39 06/5783214 or 06/5745231 Fax: +39 06 5783604
E-mail: info@aventinohotels.com

CONTACT
for all additional information, person(s) to contact:

Edward.Gillin
Chief, Basic Data Branch, Statistics Division
Tel: +39 06 570 52923 Fax: +39 06 570 55615
e-mail: Edward.Gillin@fao.org
ESSB, Room C-436
Via Terne di Caracalla 00100 Rome (Italy)

OR:

Doris de Feo
ESSB
Tel.: +39 570 53149 Fax: +39 06 570 55615
e-mail: Doris.DeFeo@fao.org
ESSB, Room C-438
Via Terme di Caracalla 00100 Rome (Italy)