The General Authority for Statistics and the Family Affairs Council signed a memorandum of cooperation yesterday, Monday September 4, 2023. The memorandum aims to enhance integration between the two entities in their respective fields of expertise, establish a general framework for joint activities and tasks, and develop their institutional capacities to serve common interests and goals. The memorandum was signed at the headquarters of the Family Affairs Council in Riyadh. Dr. Fahad Al-Dossari, President of the General Authority for Statistics, signed on behalf of the authority, while Dr. Maimouna bint Khalil Al-Khalil, Secretary-General of the Family Affairs Council, signed on behalf of the council. The memorandum highlights the exchange of information and data between the two parties - each according to its expertise - in areas of mutual interest, cooperation in issuing statistical publications related to families, exchanging support and technical and knowledge expertise in areas of mutual interest, as well as exchanging advice in the areas of expertise of each party. This includes exchanging research and studies, publications, and making it possible for the staff of both parties to participate in training courses, seminars, scientific conferences, and workshops related to the areas of mutual cooperation agreed upon.

General Authority for Statistics participated in the fifty-fifth session of the United Nations Statistical Commission which took place from 27 February to 1 March 2024 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Representatives of member states' statistical offices and representatives of United Nations statistical organizations involved in statistical work took part in the session. The session discussed topics related to international statistical activities, reviewed practices related to sustainable development indicators for the year 2023 and the progress made, as well as discussed indicators related to economic, social, spatial, and resource statistics. It also addressed developments in the methodologies of calculating statistical indicators and indices and their applications in participating countries, as well as new and improved data collection methods. Such sessions are important as they work on reviewing and setting statistical standards, developing concepts and methods used by official statistical offices worldwide and discussing new international statistical methodologies, standards, and classifications. They also shed light on reviewing key international statistics related to economic and social matters and discussing international efforts to develop the capabilities of statisticians. It is worth mentioning that the United Nations Statistics Division organizes the Statistical Commission session annually in the first quarter of each year. This session is one of the highest levels of international statistical sessions and serves as a reference for those interested in statistical field.

The city of Jeddah will host the 48th meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Arab Institute for Training and Statistical Research. This session will take place on October 4 -5, 2023, and will discuss common statistical issues with the aim of providing accurate data to support comprehensive economic and social development plans at the regional Arab level. This will be achieved by supporting the official statistical systems in Arab countries to fulfill their developmental duties at both national and regional levels in providing accurate data and indicators that contribute to enhancing opportunities for better developmental policy-making. The official heads of Arab statistical centers will participate in these meetings, with Saudi Arabia hosting this 48th session as a confirmation of its leading role in the Arab world and its commitment to enhancing Arab communication and joint work in all fields, especially in the field of Arab statistical work. This aims to exchange experiences among member countries and provide statistical data to support development plans. The agenda includes various activities aimed at enhancing the production and dissemination of accurate statistical data in accordance with international methodologies and standards. Additionally, there will be efforts to develop a strategic vision to improve the level of Arab statistical work, improve the technical and scientific capabilities of human resources in the official statistical agencies of Arab countries, exchange statistical knowledge and experiences to strengthen Arab solidarity and cooperation, and develop high-quality statistics production to drive development forward.

Saudi Arabia will host the 12th session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Statistical Commission (OIC-StatCom). The meetings of this session will be held in the city of Jeddah and will last for two consecutive days October 3-4, 2023. The meeting will be attended by the heads of official statistical centers in the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. This is the first time that the meetings of this commission are held outside the headquarters country (Turkey). Saudi Arabia's hosting of this session reflects its international status and its Arab and Islamic position, affirming its keenness to enhance communication and joint work among Islamic countries to provide statistical data for the support of development plans and exchange experiences among member countries. The 12th session of OIC-StatCom aims to develop the technical and scientific capabilities of statistical personnel in the official statistical agencies of member countries and exchange statistical knowledge and experiences to support the member countries in producing high-quality statistics, guided by specific objectives and principles in order to enhance solidarity and cooperation among Islamic countries. The agenda comprises of a number of activities meant to improve the production and dissemination of precise and updated statistical data in compliance with international standards and procedures. Additionally, efforts will be made to develop a strategic vision to improve the level of statistical systems, implement and monitor short, medium, and long-term plans to achieve this vision, and enhance the technical capabilities of national statistical agencies in Islamic countries.