User:Vitalibertas/sandbox/Working Party on Development Finance Statistics

Working Party on Development Finance Statistics (WP-STAT)

The Working Party on Development Finance Statistics (or WP-STAT) is a subsidiary body to the OECD's Development Assistance Committee (or DAC). The WP-STAT's mandate centers on the standards, methodologies, collection and reporting of development statistics, of which, Official Development Assistance (or ODA) is a cornerstone. The political visibility of ODA statistics, in particular with reference to the UN's 0.7% ODA/GNI target, makes the WP-STAT an important contributor to the work of the DAC. The Working Party is supported by the Development Cooperation Directorate, which acts as the working party's Secretariat.

Mandate and Operations
The Working Party on Development Finance Statistics continuously reviews and proposes improvements in the statistical system and in the reporting of resource flows to developing countries and multilateral agencies by DAC and non-DAC donors. The statistical reporting revolves mainly around Official Development Assistance but also includes other official flows such as outflows from private actors. The working party examines issues of ODA eligibility; guidelines and definitions for reporting; data comparability; and the use of DAC statistics. While it has authority to make technical changes to the DAC's statistical system, significant amendments (especially those with a policy/political angle) are proposes for decision by the parent committee, the DAC. The WP-STAT also deals with the transparency and accessibility of aid statistics as well as monitors data quality and implements improvements.

The Working Party on Development Finance Statistics lead by Bureau composed of a chair and supported by two vice-chairs, the secretariat, and members of the DAC committee itself that act as facilitators. Annual elections are held for the chair and vice-chairs position that are held by DAC members, members may be re-elected for several terms. The following is the Bureau composition in recent years:

2011-2013:

Chair: Mrs. Hedwig Riegler (Austria)

Vice-Chairs:    Ms. Catherine Graf (Switzerland), Mr. Maher Mamhikoff (Canada)

2014-2016:

Chair: Mr. Maher Mamhikoff (Canada)

Vice-Chairs:    Ms. Shanti Bobin (France), Mr. Masayuki Karasawa (Japan)

Meetings
The Working Party on Development Finance Statistics is attended by DAC members and Observers, non-DAC members, organizations as well as developing countries are routinely invited to participate. The group traditionally meets twice per year for an informal meeting and a formal meeting. Since 2012, the group held more frequent meetings to address an ambitious agenda on ODA modernization so that ODA statistics better reflect new development realities (especially in the context of the UN's Agenda 2030), and, the creation of a broader measure for development finance statistics (currently named Total Official Support for Sustainable Development).