The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) issued the Statistical Quality Assurance Framework, which provides principles and standards for collecting, processing, and publishing official statistics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The framework's provisions are based on the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics issued by the United Nations, aligned with the United Nations' Quality Assurance Framework, taking into consideration the regulation of the General Authority for Statistics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Statistical Quality Assurance Framework consists of four levels: statistical system management, institutional environment management, statistical processes, and statistical products. These levels include eighteen principles, which are further divided into a set of standards and methods that contribute to ensuring compliance with these principles.
GASTAT has made the Statistical Quality Assurance Framework available on its official website in both Arabic and English. It is designed to benefit professionals in the field of statistics, researchers, enthusiasts, as well as government and private sector institutions.
GASTAT encourages those interested to visit its online portal at (www.stats.gov.sa) to explore the Statistical Quality Assurance Framework. The authority is also open to answering any questions or providing further information, which can be obtained by contacting its representatives through the unified statistical number at (199009) or via the client support email at (info@stats.gov.sa).

The General Authority for Statistics released the results of the Industrial Production Index for the month of October 2024. According to the publication, the Industrial Production Index increased by 5% compared to the same month of the previous year (October 2023), supported by growth in all subeconomic activities that make up the index, including mining and quarrying, manufacturing industry, electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply, water supply, sanitation, and waste management, and treatment activities.
The results showed a 0.4% increase in the subindex of mining and quarrying activity on an annual basis, a 12.4% increase in the subindex of manufacturing industry activity, and increases of 6.2% and 8.4% in the subindexes of electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply activities; water supply, sanitation, and waste management; and treatment activities, respectively.

The results also indicated a 5.4% increase in the subindex of oil activities and a 4% increase in non-oil activities compared to the same month of the previous year.

It is worth noting that the General Authority for Statistics issues the Industrial Production Index monthly, which is an economic indicator reflecting relative changes in the volume of industrial production based on industrial production survey data conducted on a sample of industrial establishments operating in the targeted industrial activities.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in the field of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), enhance coordination, and integrate efforts between the two entities. The MoU was signed by Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Aldossari, President of GASTAT, and Mr. Eltayeb Adam, Regional Representative for UNICEF’s Gulf Area Office in Saudi Arabia, at the headquarters of GASTAT in Riyadh.
The MoU aims to foster collaboration in conducting the MICS, exchange expertise and information between the two parties, organize visits between experts and specialists in related fields, and host conferences, seminars, and workshops related to the survey.
In this context, Dr. Fahad Aldossari, President of GASTAT, emphasized that GASTAT's statistical work is driven by Saudi Arabia's regional leadership in the field of statistics, achieved through the development and measurement of statistical indicators. He also noted that collaboration with UNICEF supports efforts in conducting relevant surveys and achieving the objectives of national visions and sustainable development. This is accomplished through joint efforts to enhance performance, particularly in the exchange of statistical data, and to promote cooperation between the two organizations.
It is worth mentioning that GASTAT serves as the official body responsible for statistical activities in Saudi Arabia, acting as the sole authoritative reference for conducting statistical work and overseeing its technical and organizational aspects. GASTAT's duties include collecting statistical data and information from public and private entities and individuals and analyzing and studying this data to calculate various statistical indicators. Additionally, GASTAT provides statistical consultations, reports, and services related to surveys, research, and other statistical functions as part of its mandate.
 

Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Aldossari, President of the General Authority for Statistics, participated in the celebration of Gulf Statistics Day for GCC countries, held today, Monday, in Muscat, Oman, under the patronage of His Excellency Jassim bin Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, the Secretary-General of the GCC. The event, which was held under the theme "The Future of Statistics Towards Sustainable Gulf Development," highlights the strategic role of the Gulf statistical system in promoting awareness of the pivotal role of statistics in supporting decision-making, building development policies, and achieving the developmental goals of the visions in the member states.
On this occasion, Dr. Fahd Al-Dosari congratulated those working in the statistical sector, praising the role of the Statistical Center for the GCC countries in coordinating between national statistical centers and planning agencies in the member states. He emphasized that the cooperation between the GCC countries has contributed to building shared visions to strengthen statistical work, exchange expertise, and integrate efforts at the Gulf level.
It is worth noting that the Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which met in Manama, Bahrain, on November 24, 2016, approved the designation of a day each year to celebrate Gulf Statistics Day during its (141) session. The significance of this day lies in emphasizing the partnership between the community and statisticians, as well as highlighting the vital role of statistics in achieving sustainable development and promoting statistical work aimed at providing statistical data that supports the development plans of the GCC countries.