Today, Sunday, the First Statistical Forum for Universities and Professional and Scientific Statistical Associations was held, organized by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) in collaboration with the Council of University Affairs. The forum is hosted by Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) in Riyadh, with the attendance of representatives from specialized universities and colleges, research center staff, heads and executive members of several professional and scientific statistical associations, and a number of academics and specialists in the statistical field.

In a speech delivered by Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Aldossari, the President of the General Authority for Statistics, he stated that this forum comes as part of GASTAT's ongoing efforts to achieve integration among the components of the statistical sector and its continuous endeavors to raise awareness and promote statistical culture in society. He emphasized the importance of integration between the statistical and academic sectors, affirming the significance of scientific cooperation and strengthening professional and academic partnerships to develop the technical skills of statisticians, which in turn reflects on the advancement of statistical work in the Kingdom to keep pace with the latest global methodologies and international statistical standards.

Dr. Talal Abdullah Al Shehri, the advisor and supervisor of the General Administration of Studies, delivered a welcoming speech on behalf of the Secretary-General of the Council of University Affairs, highlighting the vital role of the forum in supporting decision-makers and policymakers with accurate data across various fields of work and production.

Dr. Faisal Al-Sharabi, Chairman of the Professional Association for Statisticians and Data Scientists, expressed his gratitude to GASTAT for organizing this forum and giving statisticians the chance to get together to discuss important statistical and economic topics served by the statistical sector.

The forum included panel discussions and five workshops featuring a number of experts, statisticians, and specialists in data sciences. It discussed the most significant statistical products produced by GASTAT, the procedures followed in executing statistical work, as well as the development of university study plans to meet the needs of the statistical work and provide qualified national statistical personnel. The discussions also included collaboration to establish a statistical hackathon project, innovation and development in statistical products, enhancing the role of university research centers and statistical data, and strengthening the role of universities and associations in developing the technical skills of statisticians.

In this context, the directors- general of departments at GASTAT presented brief overviews of the mechanisms and procedures of work in various statistical fields. They highlighted several important statistical products, including: the population projections and estimates publication, household income and expenditure survey, household culture and entertainment survey, labor market statistics, GDP flash estimates, annual national accounts publication, small and medium enterprises statistics, industrial production index, foreign direct investment, structural business statistics, pilgrimage and Umrah statistics, wholesale and consumer price indices, real estate prices, tourism establishments, livestock statistics, marine fishery and aquaculture publication, food security, electrical energy statistics, household energy, energy efficiency, renewable energy, air, maritime, and land transport statistics.

At the conclusion of the forum, Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Aldossari, the President of the General Authority for Statistics, honored several partners who contributed to the success of the forum, including the Council of University Affairs, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, and the Professional Association for Statisticians and Data Scientists.

It is noteworthy that during the forum, GASTAT signed several Memorandums of Cooperation (MoCs) with Al Baha Region Strategic Development Office, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Professional Association for Statisticians and Data Scientists, and Al-Wedad charity for Orphan Care. These MoCs aim to serve the statistical sector in the Kingdom and its strategic directions of Saudi Vision 2030.