The International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Western Asia (ECWA), is organizing a Preparatory Regional Meeting of Labour Statisticians for the 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians, on 18-20 June 2012 in Beirut, Lebanon.

The meeting forms part of the activities that the ILO is organizing to promote the review and update of the international standards of statistics of the economically active population, employment, unemployment and underemployment.  The outcome of this review process, an updated draft statistical standard, will be presented for discussion and possible adoption at the 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians (ICLS) in 2013. In addition, ESCWA will present its work and future work plan of improving the collection of labour statistics in the Arab region.
 
The main purpose of this Preparatory Regional Meeting is to bring the technical discussions to countries in the region. Similar consultations will take place in other regions of the world.
 
 Specifically the meeting will:

1. Inform participants about the review process in preparation for the 19th ICLS.


2. Present the current proposals for the review and update of the international standards of statistics of the economically active population, employment, unemployment and underemployment.


3. Gather feedback and promote discussion among participants to generate new ideas and further refinements to the proposed draft revisions.