SDMX, which stands for Statistical Data and Metadata eXchange, is an ISO standard (17369) designed to describe statistical data and metadata, normalize their exchange, and improve their efficient sharing across statistical and similar organizations[1]. It provides an integrated approach to facilitating statistical data and metadata exchange, enabling interoperable implementations within and between systems concerned with the exchange, reporting and dissemination of statistical data and their related meta-information. Further, SDMX was recognized and supported as a preferred standard for the exchange and sharing of data and metadata by UN Statistical Commission in 2008 (Decision 39/112 point (b)[2]).

SDMX for International Merchandise Trade Statistics. An inter-agency working group consisting of Eurostat, the International Trade Centre (ITC), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) was established in 2013 with the purpose of specifying uniform structures, concept definitions and code lists for the transmission of IMTS data and metadata in accordance with SDMX. The working group, chaired by UNSD, had developed a first version of the Global Data Structure Definition (DSD) of SDMX standards for International Merchandise Trade Statistics (IMTS) in consultation with member countries in 2016. The DSD was submitted to SDMX Secretariat in early 2017 for review; and subsequently made public at UNSD website[3]. In September-October 2017, UNSD conducted two pilot implementation projects in Mexico and Morocco resulting to amendment of DSD to the version 1.1 (2018). UNSD and AUC undertook SDMX-IMTS regional training workshops for African countries in September 2018 and February 2019. The workshop aimed to introduce global DSD of SDMX-IMTS and train staff of National Statistical Offices in data mapping and utilizing SDMX tools.

SDMX for System of National Accounts. The adoption of the System of National Accounts (SNA) 2008 the work on the associated transmission programmes created a new momentum for the alignment of international standards for the compilation and dissemination of macro-economic statistics. The SDMX sponsors (BIS, ECB, Eurostat, IMF, OECD, United Nations and World Bank) mandated the ECB, Eurostat and the OECD to propose Data Structure Definitions (DSDs) to implement SDMX in National Accounts according to the SNA 2008.This DSD is now available on the SDMX registry for: main national accounts aggregates, sector accounts, Supply-Use & Input-Output tables, and Government Finance Statistics. The international organisations involved in collecting national accounts data have commenced the exchange of this data using SDMX and are promoting the use of SDMX for country reporting in order to minimise burden.

In this regard, UNSD in collaboration with ADB, ASEAN, and EU-ASEAN ARISE project will conduct a Regional Training Workshop on Economic Statistics SDMX targeting 10 Southeast Asia countries.