United Nations (UN) Statistical cooperation

Norway, represented by Statistics Norway, participates in the UN Statistical Commission, where leaders of the national statistical institutes in the Member States meet on an annual basis. Statistics Norway actively participates in the numerous working groups and expert committees of the Commission, where many of the UN classifications and manuals are prepared.

Statistics throughout the UN family

National statistical institutes in Europe, Central Asia and North America work together as part of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) to develop and modernise the production of statistics in several areas. The UNECE also assists countries in transition to develop statistical systems, such as in Eastern Europe and Central Asia including the Caucasus. Statistics Norway sometimes contributes with expertise in evaluations and drafting of recommendations for the countries concerned.

Other key organisations in the UN family that compile and disseminate statistics:

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
• The International Labour Organisation (ILO)

UN framework for official statistics

The Fundamental Principles for Official Statistics represents an important framework for national statistical agencies and producers of official statistics worldwide. The ten principles are especially focused on availability, confidentiality, use of good practices and international cooperation.

The Standard for National Accounts (SNA) and similar standards govern how Norway compiles official statistics in relation to methods, definitions and classifications. Similar, and largely consistent frameworks, are also implemented in the EU legislation for statistics. Norway is committed to following these through the EEA Agreement.