DS international cooperation new > Multilateral-cooperation EN REVAMP

EU statistical legislations contain standards which create the framework of the European Statistical System (ESS). This legal framework is the basis for Eurostat’s participation in the global statistical system, in close coordination with the EU countries. 

The aims are to:

  • shape and contribute to the setting of international statistical standards
  • drive innovation
  • push the use of new data sources and digital technologies in the statistical production and dissemination 
  • promote the implementation of good governance and professional independence of national statistical offices across the globe

Eurostat cooperates with international organisations to build on best practices and to improve the coordination of methods as well as the comparability and quality of data.

Cooperation work and partners 

Eurostat participates in task forces, expert groups, and decision-making bodies of international organisations in the area of official statistics, such as the United Nations Statistical Commission. 

In addition to the UNSD, other key partners within the UN structure include specialised agencies, entities or organisations, such as the

  • Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
  • International Labour Organisation (ILO)
  • International Monetary Fund (IMF)
  • United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
  • World Bank
  • United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
  • World Trade Organisation (WTO). 

Eurostat also cooperates with

  • the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
  • the UN regional commissions, such as the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
  • programmes like the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the International Energy Agency (IEA). 

Eurostat is a member of the Committee for Coordination of Statistical Activities (CCSA) that comprises over 30 international and supranational organisations. These provide international official statistics and have statistical services as well as regular contacts with countries.

Standards and development of statistical methodology at global level 

Eurostat is currently actively contributing to standard setting in the following domains at international level:

  • economic statistics (national accounts, business and trade statistics) and classifications 
  • social statistics (labour, health, education, and social inclusion) 
  • sustainable development goals (SDGs) 
  • standardisation of the global data and metadata exchange 
  • international standardisation of statistical processes and addressing common challenges of statistical organisations 
  • quality 
  • developing methodology and standards for population and migration statistics 
  • further integration of statistical and geo-spatial information 
  • increased implementation of the System of Economic-Environmental Accounts for SDG-related policies 
  • joint data collections and other common actions with international organisations aimed at reducing the reporting burden on member countries.