## Strategy for Implementing 2025 SNA and BPM7

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Strategy for Implementing 2025 SNA and BPM7](https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/data/statistics/bpm6/approved-guidance-notes/implementation-strategy-for-2025-sna-bpm7-final-version.pdf)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/-/media/files/data/statistics/bpm6/approved-guidance-notes/implementation-strategy-for-2025-sna-bpm7-final-version.pdf.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/-/media/files/data/statistics/bpm6/approved-guidance-notes/implementation-strategy-for-2025-sna-bpm7-final-version.pdf.json)

---

### Overview
- The Strategy for Implementing 2025 SNA and BPM7 sets out an overarching, coordinated approach for implementing the updated System of National Accounts (2025 SNA) and the Integrated Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM7).
- The strategy builds on earlier versions discussed with the Advisory Expert Group (AEG) on National Accounts and the IMF’s Committee of Experts on Balance of Payments (BOPCOM), and underwent global consultation during December 2024/January 2025.
- The strategy paper is submitted for endorsement at the 56th Session of the United Nations Statistical Commission held in New York during 4–7 March 2025, coinciding with approval of the SNA 2025.
- Implementation is to be coordinated across macro-economic statistics, with both manuals expected to be approved in early 2025.

### High-level structure of the strategy
- Core elements (six fundamental aspects):
  - Strategic approach
  - Communication and outreach, including advocacy
  - Training
  - Technical assistance and cooperation
  - Preparing manuals and handbooks
  - Ongoing research
- Program modalities (five operational elements):
  - Planning, monitoring and evaluation
  - Assessment of country preparedness
  - Implementation stages
  - Timing of implementation
  - International coordination and governance
- Draft high-level model implementation plans have been developed for countries and international organizations (provided in Appendices 1 and 2 of the publication).

### Strategic approach and country guidance
- Goal and target:
  - Aim: coordinated implementation with the desired outcome of all countries implementing the standards within an implementation window of 2029–2030 as a target.
- Country-level guidance:
  - Incorporate implementation of the 2025 SNA/BPM7 into strategic plans of the national statistical office and/or the central bank (or whichever institution compiles national accounts or external accounts).
  - Ensure strong visibility within strategic plans with concrete objectives and timing; use NSDS guidelines to assist incorporation.
  - Treat implementation as a catalyst for updating NSDSs (or equivalent).
- Governance and funding:
  - Establish appropriate governance mechanisms to provide oversight and ensure coordination across agencies; an Implementation Steering Committee may be desirable.
  - Recognize implementation costs and establish mechanisms to obtain funding.
- Institutional priority:
  - Implementing the 2025 SNA/BPM7 is a strategic priority for the five ISWGNA organizations: Eurostat, IMF, OECD, UNSD and the World Bank.
  - UN Regional Commissions, IMF Regional Centres and Regional Development Banks should prioritize implementation in member countries; regional monetary unions and regional financial oversight bodies (eg GMCO, ASEAN) should also consider implementation a priority.

### Communication and outreach, including advocacy
- International strategy:
  - Develop an international communication and engagement strategy with materials explaining key changes and importance of adoption.
  - Materials will include generic advocacy and outreach templates, guidance on best approaches to advocacy, and stress the need to adequately fund implementation.
  - Preparation of the international strategy and materials is the responsibility of international organizations, with assistance by countries.
- National stakeholder engagement:
  - Countries are encouraged to develop stakeholder engagement plans drawing on the international plan.
  - Official communication will be sent from relevant international organizations requesting that countries implement the new manuals.
  - Outreach to users and data providers is encouraged; national stakeholder meetings should help scope and prioritize updates.
- Global and regional outreach:
  - Global and regional conferences for users and producers of macro-economic statistics are recommended, particularly following approval and in the year prior to implementation.
  - Advocacy should leverage global priorities (e.g., the SDGs and initiatives related to climate change) and anticipate the UN post-2030 agenda.
- Outreach timeline and activities:
  - A regional round of outreach events was held in 2023–2024 focusing on proposed changes.
  - A second round of outreach events, starting in 2025, will include high-level events and regional seminars involving senior officials and compilers.
  - The policy implications of the new SNA and BPM will be featured in IMF Article IV missions.

### Training and knowledge sharing
- Training modalities and coordination:
  - Both in-person and on-line training courses will be developed by international organizations to aid implementation.
  - Joint training covering both 2025 SNA and BPM7 will be considered where feasible; programs will be coordinated to ensure harmonization and avoid overlaps.
- Priority on on-line training:
  - Prioritise development of on-line training materials given technological advances and significant penetration offered by on-line delivery.
  - On-line materials will be made widely available through a central repository maintained by an international organization.
- Compilers Hub:
  - The Compilers Hub (under development by the IMF) is the intended place to host on-line training materials and provide a portal for materials hosted by others.
  - Described as a digital global collaboration platform to centralize and share knowledge, facilitate collaboration and host discussions.
  - Will be a repository for manuals, compilation guides and guidance notes, and include the ability to use artificial intelligence to generate information from reputable sources via a direct interface to the new manuals.
- In-person and regional training:
  - Deliver regionally, with both ‘high-level’ and ‘in depth’ components.
  - Regional statistical training institutes’ programs should include elements related to 2025 SNA and BPM7 implementation.
  - Update existing general training courses in national accounts and balance of payments to reflect 2025 SNA and BPM7 changes.

### Technical assistance and cooperation
- Targeting assistance:
  - Countries with less developed statistical systems will require technical assistance to implement the 2025 SNA/BPM7.
  - International organisations with on-going statistical technical assistance programs (such as the IMF, the World Bank, and UNCTAD) will incorporate implementation into these programs where relevant.
- Delivery mechanisms:
  - Training development and mobilisation of experts are core parts of delivery.
- Funding and partnerships:
  - Potential donor organisations will be mobilised to provide funding for technical cooperation; ISWGNA member agencies will reach out to possible donors early.
- Peer cooperation:
  - Encourage technical cooperation between countries, including peer-review of implementation plans, sharing methodologies, and sharing implementation experiences.
  - Regional organisations are best placed to develop mechanisms to support peer cooperation.
  - The Compilers Hub will serve as a forum for peer-to-peer cooperation.

### Preparing manuals, handbooks and ongoing research
- Manuals and handbooks:
  - A concerted program for development of manuals and handbooks to support implementation is underway; much work will be completed by 2025, with implementation guidance continuing throughout the implementation period.
  - Compilation guidance will be informed by practical experiences and inputs from the second round of outreach.
  - The Compilers Hub will provide a repository and portal; manuals and handbooks will be translated into languages other than English where appropriate.
  - A “Guide to the guidance” will be developed as a living electronic resource to organize and explain available compilation guidance as a “one stop” shop for national accounts and external accounts compilers.
- Ongoing research:
  - Residual areas requiring further work, and new issues emerging post-update, will be integrated into a broader post-2025 SNA/BPM7 research agenda.

### Program modalities — Planning, monitoring and evaluation
- Implementation planning:
  - Develop specific implementation plans for international organizations and within countries, including targets, milestones, performance metrics and assigned responsibilities.
  - Priority setting will be important.
- Monitoring and evaluation:
  - Establish appropriate mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the implementation program.
  - Use tools such as Results Based Management for international-level monitoring.
- Transparency and coordination:
  - Countries are encouraged to share and publish implementation plans to aid transparency and demonstrate commitment.
- Lessons learned and risk management:
  - Undertake an evaluation of the implementation of the 2008 SNA/BPM6 to identify ‘lessons learnt’ and assess resource adequacy at international and country levels.
  - Conduct a risk assessment, including identifying mitigations.

### Program modalities — Assessment of country preparedness
- Self-assessment and compliance:
  - Countries are strongly encouraged to self-assess preparedness for implementing the 2025 SNA and BPM7 to assist planning, prioritization and identification of support needs.
  - Define what it means to be compliant or aligned with the 2025 SNA/BPM7 to guide global planning and measure implementation success; guidance will include how to identify priority areas (e.g., based on materiality or relevance).
- Tools and frameworks:
  - Develop an on-line self-assessment tool by international organizations, supported by the AEG and BOPCOM.
  - Build the tool on the joint AEG/BOPCOM Communications Task Team’s Assessment Framework to Measure Alignment with the Economic Accounting Statistical Standards developed as part of the SNA/BPM update.
  - The IMF’s Data Quality Assessment Framework (DQAF), which may be tweaked for the 2025 SNA/BPM7, will also be relevant for assessment purposes.
- Sharing results:
  - Countries are strongly encouraged to make self-assessment results available to UNSD (for national accounts) and the IMF (for external accounts) to assist global planning and identify priorities for assistance; results will be shared across international organizations as appropriate. Countries may also consider publishing their self-assessments.

### Implementation stages (four broad stages)
- Stage overview:
  - Scoping and initial planning for the implementation – phases 1 and 2 in Appendix 1.
  - Adaption of existing data sources, business registers and frames, classifications and information technology, and development of new data sources/methods as necessary – phase 3 in Appendix 1.
  - Preparation of national accounts and external accounts estimates on a 2025 SNA and BPM7 basis, including backcasting – phases 4 and 5 in Appendix 1.
  - Follow-up – phase 6.
- Additional guidance:
  - Develop guidance on conversion from BPM6 to BPM7 and from the 2008 SNA to the 2025 SNA, including conversion tables.
  - Release of certain estimates on an experimental or analytical basis could provide early insights and stakeholder buy-in.
- Technology and data opportunities:
  - Recent technological developments and availability of ‘big data’ are identified as likely to offer new opportunities for estimating certain components and reducing reliance on traditional data sources; these will be explored.

### Timing of implementation and transition considerations
- Target window:
  - Countries are encouraged to implement the 2025 SNA/BPM7 within an implementation window of 2029–2030 as a target, considered reasonable following approval of the standards in 2025.
  - For the European Union, a revised ESA based on the 2025 SNA/BPM7 will be developed, and it is likely that EU countries will start disseminating data according to 2025 SNA/BPM7 in 2029.
  - To meet the 2029–2030 time frame, countries will need adequate funding and resources.
- Variation across countries:
  - Timing may differ depending on resource availability, technical skills and national circumstances; the goal is to align implementation across all countries during 2029–2030.
  - International organizations will provide guidance on prioritization relevant to national circumstances.
  - Countries are encouraged to share implementation plans and discuss common approaches via regional forums and commissions.
- Specific considerations and actions:
  - Target countries yet to transition to the 2008 SNA or BPM6 for technical assistance; transition to 2008 SNA/BPM6 is necessary for implementing 2025 SNA/BPM7 in these countries.
  - Provide guidance on managing overlap where countries implement 2008 SNA and 2025 SNA or BPM6 and BPM7 concurrently.
  - Tie implementation to periodic benchmarking cycles (e.g., every five years) where logical.
  - Encourage backcasting national accounts statistics on a 2025 SNA basis and external accounts on a BPM7 basis to the extent feasible.
  - Encourage development of estimates on the statistical impact of moving to the 2025 SNA/BPM7 to communicate impacts to users.
- Transition and interpretability:
  - Expect some countries to compile on a 2025 SNA/BPM7 basis while others compile on 2008 SNA/BPM6 (or earlier); this could affect international comparability, though growth rates should be broadly similar.
  - Provide information on statistical impacts to help users understand differences between vintages.
- Coordination with other statistical updates:
  - Implementation timing must consider concurrent updates to other standards (e.g., updated ISIC and CPC, potential updates to Government Finance Statistics Manual, Monetary and Financial Statistics Manual and Compilation Guide, System of Environmental Economic Accounts Central Framework).
- Fallback/staged approach:
  - If funding and resources are insufficient, a staged approach can implement certain changes ahead of others based on country priorities, noting the drawback that national accounts could be in a state-of-flux for some time.

### International coordination and governance
- Governance approach:
  - International governance will be “light touch”, with no new bodies created.
  - ISWGNA will have oversight of the implementation program of the 2025 SNA, supported by the Advisory Expert Group on National Accounts; regular reporting to the UNSC on progress will occur.
  - The IMF will take responsibility for BPM7 implementation, with IMF BOPCOM as key advisor.
  - Establish specific mechanisms to ensure ongoing coordination between the two manuals’ international implementations.
- Operational responsibilities:
  - The United Nations Statistics Division will have operational responsibility for coordinating the 2025 SNA implementation strategy and will work closely with Regional Commissions and the IMF (which has operational responsibility for BPM7 implementation).
- Funding and resources:
  - Executing the implementation strategy at the international level will require resources and funding.
  - Funding will come from ‘core’ funds within international organizations to the extent available or through donor funding.
  - Explore setting up a trust fund or funds, or leveraging existing funds such as the IMF’s Data for Decisions Fund and World Bank’s Global Data Facility as repositories for donor finance.
  - Present the implementation program as an essential global investment to ensure macroeconomic statistics remain relevant.

### Appendix 1 — Model high-level 2025 SNA/BPM7 implementation plan for countries (objectives and phased timeline)
- Objectives:
  - Reflect new economic developments in globalization, digitization and financial innovation in national accounts/external accounts.
  - Increase awareness of national accounts/external accounts usefulness for economic policy making and for contributing to policy making regarding sustainability and well-being.
  - Ensure consistency with latest international standards for comparability across countries.
  - Ensure an integrated approach within a country between national accounts, external accounts, government finance statistics, monetary and financial statistics and environmental-economic accounting.
  - Ensure users are aware of and support implementation and that changes are clearly communicated.
  - Strengthen capabilities of national statistical offices to produce modern, high quality and policy relevant statistics.
- Phases and timing:
  - Phase 1: Preparation and assessment (2025–2026)
    - Integrate implementation into the national statistical strategy; establish governance (including possible Implementation Steering Committee); develop stakeholder engagement and communication plan; participate in regional outreach events; assess preparedness and potential data sources; assess resource and technical requirements; initiate collaboration with data providers and compilers; establish coordination mechanisms; develop detailed implementation plan including coordination between 2025 SNA and BPM7 and updated ISIC and CPC.
  - Phase 2: Initial development (2026–2027)
    - Obtain additional financial resources; participate in peer-reviews; commence staff training; commence technology and infrastructure upgrades (including business register); commence redevelopment and development of data sources; undertake pilot studies and publish results; continue stakeholder engagement.
  - Phase 3: Data collection and on-going preparation (2027–2029)
    - Commence collection of new data requirements; continue training and technology upgrades; develop backcasting plans; release experimental or analytical estimates for significantly changed components as appropriate; plan communication of implementation results to users.
  - Phase 4: Final preparations for implementation (2028–2029)
    - Test compilation on a 2025 SNA and BPM7 basis; re-engage stakeholders on upcoming changes.
  - Phase 5: Implementation (2029–2030)
    - Compile and disseminate national accounts on a 2025 SNA basis and external accounts on a BPM7 basis (including publishing and analysis of impact of changes); engage stakeholders to ensure results are well understood; commence international reporting on 2025 SNA/BPM7 basis.
  - Phase 6: Follow-up (2031)
    - Evaluate implementation and undertake continuous improvement.

### Appendix 2 — High-level plan for international organizations to support implementation (objectives and phased timeline)
- Objectives:
  - Ensure successful implementation across all countries regardless of development level.
  - Ensure ongoing comparability of national accounts/external accounts statistics across countries.
  - Support global policy issues related to economic development, well-being and sustainability with modern, policy relevant statistics.
  - Contribute to building capabilities of national statistical offices.
- Phases and timing:
  - Phase 1: Building the base for implementation (2025)
    - Determine what it means to be 2025 SNA/BPM7 compliant or aligned and establish priorities; evaluate 2008 SNA/BPM6 implementation and lessons learned; consult with UN Regional Commissions and other regional organizations on their role; develop overarching communication, engagement and capacity building strategies; undertake a risk assessment and identify mitigation strategies; conduct a user-producer conference and regional workshops; commence development of training materials; identify potential donors; develop country preparedness self-assessment tool consistent with the Joint CMTT’s Assessment Framework; continue development of implementation guidance and a “Guide to the guidance”; commence engagement with international users and operationalize the Compilers Hub; prepare guidance for detailed implementation plans for countries.
  - Phase 2: Initial assistance with implementation (2026)
    - Develop specific guidance for countries yet to implement 2008 SNA or BPM6; integrate 2025 SNA/BPM7 training into international organization training programs and technical cooperation; provide regional opportunities for countries to share plans and identify support; establish regional mechanisms to support peer-reviews; continue development of training materials.
  - Phase 3: Ongoing assistance with implementation (2027–2029)
    - Provide ongoing training and technical assistance; undertake further research as needed; provide opportunities for countries to share experiences regionally; continue regional support for peer-reviews; ongoing monitoring and evaluation of country preparation and progress; refine implementation guidance; redesign templates for reporting national accounts/external accounts data to international organizations on a coordinated basis (2028/2029); arrange an international user-producer conference (2028/2029); provide guidance to countries on advising users about data interpretability and comparability during the transition period (2028/2029); remind international organization users of forthcoming changes (2028/2029).
  - Phase 5: Implementation (2029/2030)
    - Provide active support to countries as they produce statistics on a 2025 SNA/BPM7 basis; assist users in international agencies in understanding impact of changes; collect data from countries on a 2025 SNA/BPM7 basis.
  - Phase 6: Post-implementation follow-up (2031)
    - Evaluate implementation of 2025 SNA/BPM7 and pursue continuous improvement.

*Strategy for Implementing 2025 SNA and BPM7 — FINAL/APPROVED VERSION (prepared by Pete Harper and Evrim Bese Goksu; submitted for endorsement at the 56th Session of the United Nations Statistical Commission).*

### Section 1

### STRATEGY FOR IMPLEMENTING 2025 SNA AND BPM7

### Overview
- The Strategy for Implementing 2025 SNA and BPM7 sets out an overarching, coordinated approach for implementing the updated System of National Accounts (2025 SNA) and the Integrated Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM7).
- The strategy builds on earlier versions discussed with the Advisory Expert Group (AEG) on National Accounts and the IMF’s Committee of Experts on Balance of Payments (BOPCOM), and underwent global consultation during December 2024/January 2025.
- The strategy paper is being submitted to the 56th Session of the United Nations Statistical Commission for endorsement at the time the Commission approves the SNA 2025. The Commission is to be held in New York during 4–7 March 2025.
- Implementation is to be coordinated across macro-economic statistics, with both manuals expected to be approved in early 2025.

### High-level structure of the strategy
- Core elements (six fundamental aspects):
  - Strategic approach
  - Communication and outreach, including advocacy
  - Training
  - Technical assistance and cooperation
  - Preparing manuals and handbooks
  - Ongoing research
- Program modalities (five operational elements):
  - Planning, monitoring and evaluation
  - Assessment of country preparedness
  - Implementation stages
  - Timing of implementation
  - International coordination and governance
- Draft high-level model implementation plans have been developed for countries and international organizations (provided in Appendices 1 and 2 of the document).

### Strategic approach
- Aim: coordinated implementation with the desired outcome of all countries implementing the standards within an implementation window of 2029–2030 as a target.
- Country-level guidance:
  - Implementation of the 2025 SNA/BPM7 should be built into strategic plans of the national statistical office and/or the central bank (or whichever institution compiles national accounts or external accounts).
  - Implementation should have strong visibility within strategic plans, with concrete objectives and timing.
  - Guidelines such as those for preparing a National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) can assist countries in incorporating implementation.
  - The implementation process should act as a catalyst for updating NSDSs (or equivalent).
- Governance and funding:
  - Appropriate governance mechanisms are needed to provide oversight and ensure coordination across agencies; an Implementation Steering Committee may be desirable.
  - Country strategies must recognize implementation costs and establish mechanisms to obtain funding.
- Institutional priority:
  - Implementing the 2025 SNA/BPM7 is a strategic priority for the five ISWGNA organizations: Eurostat, IMF, OECD, UNSD and the World Bank.
  - UN Regional Commissions, IMF Regional Centres and Regional Development Banks should prioritize implementation in member countries; regional monetary unions and regional financial oversight bodies (eg GMCO, ASEAN) should also consider implementation a priority.

### Communication and outreach, including advocacy
- An international communication and engagement strategy will be developed with materials explaining key changes and the importance of adopting the 2025 SNA and BPM7 as a priority.
- Materials will include generic advocacy and outreach templates and guidance on best approaches to advocacy; materials will stress the need to adequately fund implementation.
- Responsibility: preparing the international strategy and materials is the responsibility of international organizations, with assistance by countries.
- National stakeholder engagement:
  - Countries are encouraged to develop stakeholder engagement plans that draw on the international plan.
  - Official communication will be sent from relevant international organizations requesting that countries implement the new manuals.
  - Outreach to users and data providers is encouraged; countries should engage users through national stakeholder meetings to help scope and prioritize updates.
- Global and regional outreach:
  - Global and regional conferences for users and producers of macro-economic statistics are recommended, particularly following approval and in the year prior to implementation.
  - Advocacy should leverage relevant global priorities (e.g., the SDGs and initiatives related to climate change) and anticipate the United Nations post-2030 agenda.
- Outreach already undertaken and planned:
  - A regional round of outreach events was held in 2023–2024 focusing on proposed changes.
  - A second round of outreach events, starting in 2025, will include high-level events and regional seminars involving senior officials and compilers.
  - The policy implications of the new SNA and BPM will be featured in IMF Article IV missions.

### Training and knowledge sharing
- Training modalities:
  - Both in-person and on-line training courses will be developed by international organizations to aid implementation.
  - Joint training covering both 2025 SNA and BPM7 will be considered where feasible; training programs will be coordinated to ensure harmonization and avoid overlaps.
- Priority on on-line training:
  - Development of on-line training materials will be prioritised given technological advances and significant penetration offered by on-line delivery.
  - On-line materials will be made widely available through a central repository maintained by an international organization.
- Compilers Hub:
  - The Compilers Hub (currently under development by the IMF) is considered the appropriate place to host on-line training materials and provide a portal for materials hosted by others.
  - The Compilers Hub is described as a digital global collaboration platform to centralize and share knowledge, facilitate collaboration and host discussions.
  - The Compilers Hub will also be a repository for manuals, compilation guides and other guidance notes, and will include the ability to use artificial intelligence to generate information from reputable sources via a direct interface to the new manuals.
- In-person and regional training:
  - In-person training should be delivered regionally and include both ‘high-level’ and ‘in depth’ components.
  - Regional statistical training institutes’ programs should include elements related to 2025 SNA and BPM7 implementation.
  - Existing general training courses in national accounts and balance of payments will be updated to reflect 2025 SNA and BPM7 changes.

### Technical assistance and cooperation
- Targeting assistance:
  - Some countries, particularly those with less developed statistical systems, will require technical assistance to implement the 2025 SNA/BPM7.
  - International organisations with on-going statistical technical assistance programs (such as the IMF, the World Bank, and UNCTAD) will incorporate implementation into these programs where relevant and appropriate.
- Delivery mechanisms:
  - Training development will play an important role in delivering technical assistance.
  - Identification and mobilisation of experts to provide assistance is a core part of delivery.
- Funding and partnerships:
  - Potential donor organisations will be mobilised to provide funding for technical cooperation; ISWGNA member agencies will reach out to possible donors early on.
- Peer cooperation:
  - Technical cooperation between countries will be encouraged, including peer-review of implementation plans, sharing methodologies, and sharing implementation experiences.
  - Regional organisations are best placed to develop mechanisms to support peer cooperation.
  - The Compilers Hub will serve as a forum for peer-to-peer cooperation.

### Preparing manuals and handbooks
- A concerted program for development of manuals and handbooks to support implementation is underway; much work will be completed by 2025, with implementation guidance continuing throughout the implementation period.
- Compilation guidance will benefit from practical experiences and inputs from the second round of outreach.
- The Compilers Hub will provide a repository and portal for these materials; manuals and handbooks will be translated into languages other than English where appropriate.
- A “Guide to the guidance” will be developed as a living electronic resource to organize and explain available compilation guidance as a “one stop” shop for national accounts and external accounts compilers.

### Ongoing research
- Residual areas requiring further work, and new issues emerging post-update, will be integrated into a broader post-2025 SNA/BPM7 research agenda.

### Program modalities — Planning, monitoring and evaluation
- Implementation planning:
  - Specific implementation plans need to be developed for international organizations and within countries, including targets, milestones, performance metrics and assigned responsibilities.
  - Priority setting will be important.
- Monitoring and evaluation:
  - Appropriate mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the implementation program must be established.
  - Tools such as Results Based Management will be used for monitoring and managing the implementation strategy at the international level.
- Transparency and coordination:
  - Countries are encouraged to share implementation plans with relevant international organizations and are encouraged to publish their implementation plans to aid transparency and demonstrate commitment.
- Lessons learned and risk management:
  - An evaluation of the implementation of the 2008 SNA/BPM6 will be undertaken to identify ‘lessons learnt’ and will include an assessment of resource adequacy at international and country levels.
  - A risk assessment, including identifying mitigations, will be undertaken.

### Program modalities — Assessment of country preparedness
- Self-assessment:
  - Countries are strongly encouraged to self-assess their preparedness for implementing the 2025 SNA and BPM7 to assist planning, prioritization and identification of support needs.
- Compliance guidance:
  - The question “what does it mean to be compliant or aligned with the 2025 SNA/BPM7?” will be addressed to guide global planning and to provide means to measure implementation success; guidance will include how to identify priority areas (e.g., based on materiality or relevance).
  - International organizations will provide necessary guidance; they can assist countries in addressing legal barriers that could impact implementation.
- Tools and frameworks:
  - An on-line self-assessment tool will be developed by international organizations, supported by the AEG and BOPCOM.
  - This tool will be built on the joint AEG/BOPCOM Communications Task Team’s Assessment Framework to Measure Alignment with the Economic Accounting Statistical Standards developed as part of the SNA/BPM update.
  - The IMF’s Data Quality Assessment Framework (DQAF), which may be tweaked for the 2025 SNA/BPM7, will also be relevant for assessment purposes.
- Sharing results:
  - Countries are strongly encouraged to make self-assessment results available to UNSD (for national accounts) and the IMF (for external accounts) to assist global planning and identify priorities for assistance; results will be shared across international organizations as appropriate. Countries may also consider publishing their self-assessments.

*Strategy for Implementing 2025 SNA and BPM7 — FINAL/APPROVED VERSION (prepared by Pete Harper and Evrim Bese Goksu; submitted for endorsement at the 56th Session of the United Nations Statistical Commission).*

### Section 2

### Implementation strategy for 2025 SNA/BPM7 — Section 2

### Implementation stages
- The plan consists of four broad stages:
  - Scoping and initial planning for the implementation – phases 1 and 2 in Appendix 1.
  - Adaption of existing data sources, business registers and frames, classifications and information technology to support the implementation of the 2025 SNA and BPM7, and the development of new data sources/methods as necessary, particularly where it is not feasible to use existing data sources -- phase 3 in Appendix 1.
  - Preparation of national accounts and external accounts estimates on a 2025 SNA and BPM7 basis, including backcasting -- phases 4 and 5 in Appendix 1.
  - Follow-up – phase 6.
- Further guidance will be developed for countries on how to plan the implementation stages, including conversion from BPM6 to BPM7 and the 2008 SNA to the 2025 SNA; this will include the development of conversion tables.
- The plan notes that release of certain 2025 SNA/BPM7 estimates on an experimental or analytical basis could provide early insights and stakeholder buy-in and enable sharing of experiences.
- Recent technological developments and the availability of ‘big data’ are identified as likely to offer new opportunities for estimating certain components of the national accounts and external accounts and reduce reliance on traditional data sources; these will be explored.

### Timing of implementation
- Countries are encouraged to implement the 2025 SNA/BPM7 within an implementation window of 2029–2030 as a target, considered reasonable following approval of the standards in 2025.
  - In the case of the European Union, a revised ESA based on the 2025 SNA/BPM7 will be developed, and it is likely that EU countries will start disseminating data according to 2025 SNA/BPM7 in 2029.
  - To meet the 2029–2030 time frame, countries will need adequate funding and resources for the implementation work.
- The timing of implementation may differ across countries depending on resource availability, technical skills and national circumstances; the goal is to align implementation across all countries during 2029–2030.
  - International organizations will provide guidance on how countries can set priorities relevant to their circumstances.
  - Countries are encouraged to share implementation plans and discuss common approaches; regional forums (e.g., OECD Conference on National Economic and Financial Accounts, ECE Group of Experts on National Accounts) and other regional commissions will be utilized to share implementation plans.
- Specific considerations:
  - Countries yet to transition to the 2008 SNA or BPM6 will be specifically targeted for technical assistance; transition to 2008 SNA/BPM6 is a necessary step for implementing the 2025 SNA/BPM7 for these countries.
  - For some countries there may be overlap in implementation of the 2008 SNA and the 2025 SNA or BPM6 and BPM7; guidance will be provided on managing overlap.
  - Most countries undertake periodic (e.g., every five years) benchmarking of their national accounts; it would be logical to tie implementation of the 2025 SNA and BPM7 to benchmarking cycles.
  - Countries are encouraged to ‘backcast’ national accounts statistics on a 2025 SNA basis and external accounts on a BPM7 basis to the extent feasible.
  - Countries are encouraged to develop estimates on the statistical impact of moving to the 2025 SNA/BPM7 to communicate impacts to users.
- Transition period considerations:
  - Some countries will compile on a 2025 SNA/BPM7 basis while others compile on 2008 SNA/BPM6 (or earlier) basis; while this could affect international comparability, growth rates should be broadly similar.
  - Providing information on statistical impacts will help users understand differences between vintages.
- Implementation timing must consider concurrent updates to other statistical standards (e.g., updated ISIC and CPC, potential updates to Government Finance Statistics Manual, Monetary and Financial Statistics Manual and Compilation Guide, System of Environmental Economic Accounts Central Framework); coordination with these updates will need to be well-managed.
- In the absence of sufficient funding and resources, a staged approach could be considered as a fallback option, where certain changes are implemented ahead of others based on country priorities; the drawback is that national accounts could be in a state-of-flux for some time, creating challenges for users.

### International coordination and governance
- Governance approach:
  - The governance of international implementation will be “light touch”, with no new bodies created.
  - The ISWGNA will have oversight of the implementation program of the 2025 SNA, with support from the Advisory Expert Group on National Accounts; there will be regular reporting to the UNSC on progress with implementation of the 2025 SNA.
  - The IMF will take responsibility for BPM7 implementation, with the IMF BOPCOM being the key advisor.
  - Specific mechanisms will be established to ensure ongoing coordination in the international implementation of the two manuals.
- Operational responsibilities:
  - The United Nations Statistics Division will have operational responsibility for coordinating the implementation strategy for the 2025 SNA and will work closely with the Regional Commissions and with the IMF (which has operational responsibility for BPM7 implementation).
- Funding and resources:
  - Executing the implementation strategy at the international level will require resources and funding.
  - Funding will come from ‘core’ funds within international organizations to the extent available or through donor funding.
  - The possibility of setting up a trust fund or funds, or leveraging existing funds such as the IMF’s Data for Decisions Fund and World Bank’s Global Data Facility, as a repository for donor finance will be explored.
  - The implementation program is presented as an essential global investment to ensure macroeconomic statistics remain relevant.

### Appendix 1 — Model high-level 2025 SNA/BPM7 implementation plan for countries (objectives and phases)
- Objectives:
  - Ensure that new economic developments in areas such as globalization, digitization and financial innovation are appropriately reflected in the national accounts/external accounts taking into account the statistical needs in an evolving environment.
  - Increase awareness of the usefulness of the national accounts/external accounts for economic policy making and for contributing to policy making regarding sustainability and well-being.
  - Ensure that national accounts/external accounts are consistent with the latest international standards to ensure comparability across countries.
  - Ensure an integrated approach within a country to compiling macro-economic statistics, firstly between the national accounts and external accounts, but also with government finance statistics, monetary and financial statistics and environmental-economic accounting.
  - Ensure that users are aware of, and support, the implementation of the new manuals and that the changes are clearly communicated.
  - Strengthen the capabilities of national statistical offices to enable the production of modern, high quality and policy relevant statistics.
- Phase 1: Preparation and assessment (2025–2026)
  - Integrate implementation into the national statistical strategy.
  - Establish overarching governance and responsibilities (including possible Implementation Steering Committee).
  - Develop stakeholder engagement and communication plan; commence stakeholder engagement and awareness raising.
  - Participate in regional outreach events.
  - Assess country preparedness using tools developed by international organizations.
  - Assess potential data sources; assess resource and technical requirements.
  - Initiate collaboration with data providers and among compilers of macro-economic statistics.
  - Establish necessary coordination mechanisms.
  - Develop a detailed implementation plan, including coordination between 2025 SNA and BPM7 and taking account of updated ISIC and CPC.
- Phase 2: Initial development (2026–2027)
  - Obtain necessary additional financial resources.
  - Participate in peer-reviews of implementation plans and methodologies.
  - Commence staff training.
  - Commence technology and infrastructure upgrades (including business register).
  - Commence redevelopment of existing data sources and development of new data sources.
  - Undertake pilot studies and publish results as appropriate.
  - Continue stakeholder engagement.
- Phase 3: Data collection and on-going preparation (2027–2029)
  - Commence collection of new data requirements.
  - Continue staff training and technology upgrades.
  - Continue stakeholder engagement.
  - Develop plans for backcasting.
  - Release experimental or analytical estimates for significantly changed components as appropriate.
  - Develop plans for communicating implementation results to users and improving communication of national accounts and external accounts.
- Phase 4: Final preparations for implementation (2028–2029)
  - Test compilation of national accounts on a 2025 SNA basis and external accounts on a BPM7 basis.
  - Re-engage stakeholders on upcoming changes.
- Phase 5: Implementation (2029–2030)
  - Compile and disseminate national accounts on a 2025 SNA basis and external accounts on a BPM7 basis (including publishing and analysis of the impact of changes).
  - Engage stakeholders to ensure results are well understood, including impacts of changes.
  - Commence international reporting on 2025 SNA/BPM7 basis.
- Phase 6: Follow-up (2031)
  - Evaluate implementation.
  - Undertake continuous improvement.

### Appendix 2 — High-level plan for international organizations to support implementation (objectives and phases)
- Objectives:
  - Ensure successful implementation of the 2025 SNA/BPM7 across all countries, regardless of level of economic development.
  - Ensure ongoing comparability of national accounts/external accounts statistics across countries.
  - Ensure global policy issues related to economic development, well-being and sustainability are supported by modern, high quality and policy relevant statistics.
  - Contribute to building capabilities of national statistical offices.
- Phase 1: Building the base for implementation (2025)
  - Determine what it means to be 2025 SNA/BPM7 compliant or aligned (e.g., partially/fully) and establish priorities for implementation on the basis of importance.
  - Evaluate 2008 SNA/BPM6 implementation and lessons learned.
  - Consult with UN Regional Commissions and other regional organizations on their role.
  - Develop overarching communication, engagement and capacity building strategies; advocacy and communication materials.
  - Provide guidance to support integration into national statistical strategies.
  - Undertake a risk assessment and identify mitigation strategies.
  - Conduct a user-producer conference and regional workshops.
  - Commence development of training materials.
  - Identify potential donors to fund technical cooperation.
  - Develop country preparedness self-assessment tool consistent with the Joint CMTT’s Assessment Framework to Measure Alignment with the Economic Accounting Statistical Standards.
  - Continue development of implementation guidance and develop a “Guide to the guidance”.
  - Commence engagement with international users and operationalize the Compilers Hub.
  - Prepare guidance for preparing detailed implementation plans in countries.
- Phase 2: Initial assistance with implementation (2026)
  - Develop specific guidance for countries yet to implement 2008 SNA or BPM6.
  - Integrate 2025 SNA/BPM7 training into international organization statistical training programs and technical cooperation.
  - Provide regional opportunities for countries to share plans and identify support.
  - Establish regional mechanisms to support peer-reviews of implementation plans and methodologies where desired.
  - Continue development of training materials.
- Phase 3: Ongoing assistance with implementation (2027–2029)
  - Ongoing provision of training and technical assistance.
  - Undertake further research as needed.
  - Provide ongoing opportunities for countries to share experiences regionally.
  - Continue regional support for peer-reviews where desired.
  - Ongoing monitoring and evaluation of preparation and progress in countries.
  - Refine implementation guidance as needed.
  - Redesign templates for reporting national accounts/external accounts data to international organizations on a coordinated basis (2028/2029).
  - Arrange an international user-producer conference (2028/2029).
  - Provide guidance to countries on advising users about data interpretability and comparability during the transition period (2028/2029).
  - Remind international organization users of forthcoming changes (2028/2029).
- Phase 5: Implementation (2029/2030)
  - Provide active support to countries as they produce statistics on a 2025 SNA/BPM7 basis.
  - Assist users in international agencies in understanding the impact of changes.
  - Collect data from countries on a 2025 SNA/BPM7 basis.
- Phase 6: Post-implementation follow-up (2031)
  - Evaluate implementation of 2025 SNA/BPM7.
  - Continuous improvement.

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/data/statistics/bpm6/approved-guidance-notes/implementation-strategy-for-2025-sna-bpm7-final-version.pdf_