The International Monitoring Operation (IMO) for the 2013 Population and Housing Census in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has assessed the state of the preparations of the Census. The IMO was established by the European Commission in 2012, upon invitation of the Council of Ministers of BiH to ensure that the Census preparations and implementation comply with European and international standards. The IMO is comprised of representatives of: EUROSTAT, chairing the Management Group, European Commission Directorate-General for Enlargement, CoE (Council of Europe), UNSD (United Nations Statistics Directorate), UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) and UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund).
       
Following the 10th assessment of the Steering Committee of census experts, conducted from 28th to 31st May, the IMO, chaired by Mr Pieter Everaers, Director at EUROSTAT and responsible for Statistical Cooperation with Enlargement Countries, commended the progress made in the technical preparations of the Census. Taking into account this technical preparedness so far and the willingness of the BiH authorities and the Statistical Institutions, the IMO is of the opinion that BiH is ready to conduct the Census in October 2013.
       
The IMO calls upon the statistical institutions to fulfil all the remaining preparatory work in a timely and efficient manner. The IMO stresses the importance of the full and continuous support of the BiH authorities including by creating a favourable environment for the Census process and continuing good cooperation between the Statistical Institutes. The IMO equally urges the support of all political forces in BiH.
       
All authorities are urged to uphold the European and international standards in relation to all methodological issues in the Census. In particular, the IMO recommends that close attention is paid to a strong and effective communication component, in order to ensure sound public understanding of the Census and its relevance to the future development of social and economic policies in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

A list of more detailed technical recommendations from the IMO will be soon sent to the BiH authorities via the report on the 10th assessment mission.