Introduction

COS  IN BRIEF

• In Thirties of last century the statistics office was department in the Ministry of Economy and Transport, after it was divided into two ministries, in 1939 this branch was joined to the ministry of Economy and named (The main office for Statistics).

• In 1956, this department was merged with statistical offices and
  sections of some government departments and enterprises therefore it
  was named (Central office of Statistics).

• In 1959 Authority of Implementation Law was issued and according to
  that, Ministry of Planning had been established and the Central office of
  Statistics was joined with Ministry of Planning then raised to general
  directorate in 1/7/1959.

• In1968 Ministry of Planning system was issued, that Central Statistical
  Organization (CSO) was established according to it and headed by
  consultant degree.

• In 2004 the systematical and technical structure of the ministry were
  reconsidered which became Ministry of Planning and Development
  Cooperation to conform actually to the nature of its activities and tasks.

•  The central statistical organization (CSO) has been renamed to The
  Central Organization for Statistics and Information Technology (COS)
  after establishing of a general directorate that named (Information
  Technology Directorate).

• COS specialized in statistical processes concerning with population
  census, sampling census and all statistical operations such as
  agricultural, industrial, economic, social, financial and monetary, cultural
  and other that related to formal and semi formal, public and private
  institutions, companies in general and Individuals, In addition to citizens
  status and their activities that serve planning , national development and
  scientific research.
   

 Central Organization for Statistics and (COS ) Tasks

The Central organization for statistics  regards as a technical specialist authority in all various statistics operations in Iraq. COS has a moral personality which carries out its works according to internal system and undertakes the following tasks:-

        1. Implementation of general population and housing censuses.
        2. Implementation of statistical operations which are related with various  

            fields and surveys in sample, In addition to all operations and statistical
            procedures  such as agricultural, industrial … etc.
        3. Collect, unify, prepare, analysis and summarize the statistical operations
            results totally or partially.
        4. Preparing and updating database related to doing elections, referendums
           and  the preparation of voter lists whenever needed.
        5. Publishing and printing the statistical pamphlets and reports, in addition  
             to establish of training courses, symposiums and statistical conferences.
        6. Participation in international cooperation in the statistical fields and
          exchange the experiences with the Arabic and International scientific
           institutions and  organizations which operate in statistical field.
        7. Technical supervision on some statistical operations which are carried
            out by  directorates in the other ministries and official authorities.
        8. Establishing of integrated data banks.
        9. Preparing of researches and studies which lead to develop the statistical
            work.
      10. The Participation in training and enhancing the statistical capabilities in
             other  official institutions.
      11. Activation of statistical work through implements the censuses and
            statistical  surveys which are carried out by Arabic and Regional  
            organizations.
      12. Supplying the geographical information system (GIS) service for all
             beneficiaries from COS directorates and the sector departments in the
             ministry.
      13. Administrate the networks centrally and make back up for all systems to
             protect them from damage.
      14. Participation in design the planning policies for Information Technology
            sector in coordinate with other ministries and authorities.
     15. Provide central maintenance for all users of computers, networks and
            other  related instruments.
     16. Installation, supporting and supplying software, hardware and other
           equipments to the directorates of ministry, according to what is available  
           and  the tasks which entrusted to it and the provision of internet services to
           employees of the ministry and its management.