4 8 S O U T H E R N A F R I C A N and understanding of science and technology, especially D E V E L O P M E N T • among the youth. Long time lag between collection of data and dissemination of statistics. The science and technology function of the SADC The implementation of the strategy focused on the secretariat will also prioritise the issue of building following priorities: science and technology networks to promote intra and • interregional cooperation and linkages. This will require the necessary institutional arrangements and resources. C O M M U N I T Y National accounts, trade, prices, balance of payments and investment statistics; • Economic sector statistics: finance, industry, mining, and agriculture; 3.6.3 SADC STATISTICS • labour, health, and HIV and AIDS; • 3.6.3.1 Overview The overall objective of the SADC Statistical System is to support regional integration by making available relevant, timely and accurate statistical information to be used in SADC planning, policy formulation, protocol monitoring and decision-making. The SADC Statistical Programme is the instrument through which the System is promoted. The specific objectives of the Programme include the Social sector statistics: population, education, Environment and related statistics: tourism, transport, energy, and water. In addition, the following cross-cutting themes are also prioritised: • Poverty Statistics • Gender Statistics • Informal Sector Statistics • Development of statistical databases and other dissemination, publication and accessibility mechanisms harmonization of statistics in the region and capacity building in SADC Member States in the field of statistics. The Programme focuses on the availability of comparable, accurate and up-to-date core statistics in the economic and social areas in particular economic statistics, social statistics and cross cutting statistical issues. 3.6.3.3 Evaluation of the Policies and Strategies Progress has been made in some priority areas including national accounts, prices, censuses, training, and database development. Most countries in SADC are implementing the revised United Nations System of 3.6.3.2 National Accounts. A programme on the harmonisation of Review of Current Policies and Strategies price statistics has been launched. The objectives of the The development of the SADC statistics is guided by the programme is to construct a regional harmonised Strategy Document approved by Council in 1998, which statistics with a view to take SADC Member States to an stipulates that SADC statistics is critical in the monitoring international price comparative programme. Programmes and evaluation of the SADC Programme of Action and the and projects to address the poverty information systems regional integration process. The strategy highlights the and natural resources accounting are also under imple- following challenges: mentation. Establishment of sustainable regional statis- • Inadequate resources allocated to statistics in some tical systems based national statistics offices (NSOs) is of the member countries; being addressed through capacity building at regional as Disparities in the statistical capacity among the well as national levels. • countries; • • • Inadequate statistical capacity at the Secretariat to 3.6.3.4 co-ordinate statistics in the region; Challenges for the Policies and Strategies Absence of a legal instrument for regional co- There is need for a legal instrument for regional operation in the area of statistics; cooperation in the area of statistics. The instrument will Lack of dissemination mechanisms (including data- ensure that the institutional arrangements for collecting, bases and connectivity); and processing and dissemination of statistics are adequately