In order to prepare the launches of regional CountrySTAT EAC and CountrySTAT UEMOA systems, lots of fruitful discussions and meetings have been held for statistical, IT and communication-related issues with the regional CountrySTAT coordinators. According to them, CountrySTAT does not only effectively assist countries in establishing their own data harmonization and dissemination platform, but also opens new perspectives for data collection and management.

Once again it became clear how important effective communication and collaboration is among partner countries and FAO. Consequently, CountrySTAT is more and more substituting phone conferences through virtual meetings where participants can interact as if they all were at the same location. Knowing the CountrySTAT colleagues personally has an invaluably positive impact on collaboration and therefore on CountrySTAT’s success itself.
The CountrySTAT project is successfully collaborating with regional organizations to improve and distribute statistical data across the member states. East African Community (EAC) aims at improving economic, political, social and cultural integration among the member countries. EAC was founded in 1977, including three member states. Today, this Regional Intergovernmental Organisation includes the Republics of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, the United Republic of Tanzania, and the Republic of Uganda.
The West African Economic and Monetary Union (Union Économique et Monétaire Ouest-africaine, UEMOA), has been established in 1994 and works toward greater regional integration of its member countries Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo.

11 to 15 March 2013, FAO headquarters, Rome

The CountrySTAT team at FAO headquarters welcomed delegates from regional organizations EAC and UEMOA during their mission to Rome.