Riyadh, Dec. 10 (BNA): Mohammed Ali Al Qaed, Chief Executive of the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA), chaired the 13th meeting of the Permanent Committee for Statistical Work, held from December 10 to 11 in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, organised by the GCC Statistical Center and Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Statistics. The meeting was attended by Duaa Sultan, iGA Deputy Chief Executive for Statistics and Population Registry, and representatives of national statistical offices from the member states.
The meeting covered several items on the committee's agenda, including the key joint achievements completed by the end of 2025, the adoption of the joint GCC Statistical Work Strategy (2026-2030), a review of the initiative to develop a data and statistics management and governance system across the GCC, a briefing on the detailed initiative document for projects under the strategic plan, and a discussion of the project to develop an electronic system to monitor the implementation of the joint GCC Statistical Work Strategy.
The committee also discussed holding a digital transformation event for GCC statistical offices, the document marking GCC Statistics Day on 24 December each year, a proposed technical support plan for national statistical offices for 2026, and other new items on the agenda.
Al Qaed said that convening the 13th meeting reflects the strong commitment of all GCC statistical bodies to joint statistical work, which plays a key role in supporting data-based decision-making and monitoring the implementation of policies and strategies that advance the development of the GCC in all sectors.
On the sidelines of the meeting, in preparation for Saudi Arabia's hosting of the Sixth United Nations World Data Forum in 2026, a panel discussion was held with the participation of the United Nations and the heads of GCC statistical authorities, titled: "International Statistical Standards: The Role of Statistical Offices in the GCC in Development and Implementation." The session aimed to align international statistical standards with GCC projects and data, and to enhance and develop a unified database to support decision-making in line with international best practices.
During the session, Al Qaed noted that GCC countries have always sought to keep pace with developments in statistics and have accumulated diverse experience in standard-setting. He highlighted Bahrain's experience as one of the first countries to conduct surveys using administrative records, enabling the provision of accurate and reliable data, and noted that the methodology and standards applied by Bahrain were later adopted by international organisations.
He also underlined the importance of consolidating GCC experience in standard-setting within a clear plan to advance institutional work and the need to form expert teams to develop new standards that meet emerging requirements and define priorities for GCC countries.
Al Qaed further pointed out that advancing standards requires GCC statistical offices to shift from traditional methods to technology-based approaches, strengthen research, and launch innovation labs in statistical work, in order to adopt modern tools that ensure access to information and support accurate data analysis. He also emphasised the need for comprehensive development of skilled personnel capable of using modern technologies, developing competencies, updating legislation, and adapting roles and job titles in the statistical field to keep pace with rapid changes.
At the conclusion of his participation, Al Qaed extended appreciation to the GCC Statistical Center and Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Statistics for organising the meeting and panel discussion, wishing them continued success.