the report of the forty-first session of the Statistical Commission, held in New York from 23 to 26 February 2010. In line with its function as the apex entity of the global statistical system, the Commission adopted in this session international standards in the area of merchandise trade statistics, trade in services and environmental accounting. The Commission also discussed cutting edge statistical issues related to national quality assurance frameworks, agricultural and rural statistics, the integration of geographic and statistical information and a proposed inventory of global statistical standards.