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.

Tomorrow, Sunday, the activities of the First Statistical Forum for Universities and Professional and Scientific Statistical Associations will be launched, which is organized by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) in collaboration with the Council of University Affairs and the Professional Association for Statisticians and Data Scientists. The forum is hosted by Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) in Riyadh, with the attendance of university presidents, vice presidents, deans of specialized 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.

This forum is the first of its kind that focuses on exploring ways to integrate the statistical and academic sectors in the Kingdom. It is part of GASTAT’s efforts to raise awareness about the practices of statistical work among specialists and other segments of society. This aims to achieve higher levels of effective and broad response to GASTAT’s fieldwork, ensuring the provision of data and information for various statistical indicators. The forum will involve the participation of academics, experts, and specialists in the fields of statistics and data science.

It is worth noting that the statistical sector in the Kingdom consists of several components, each playing a specific role in the field of statistical work. These components include GASTAT, statistical departments in universities, specialized research centers in statistical studies and research, and professional and scientific statistical associations specializing in data science. These associations serve as a link between the academic statistical side and the practical professional side.

The forum is part of the continuous efforts of GASTAT to enhance statistical scientific knowledge and launch initiatives that contribute to raising the level of statistical awareness in society. This ensures the sustainability of awareness about the importance of data and statistical indicators, and their vital role in supporting and empowering decision-makers and policy-makers to develop sustainable development plans in the coming years based on sound scientific principles and existing facts.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) announced the results of the Livestock Statistics Publication 2023 for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. According to the report, total raw milk production from dairy farms reached 2.8 billion liters, with 234 thousand dairy cows in specialized agricultural projects. The Riyadh region ranked first in raw milk production, with 1.6 billion liters, followed by the Eastern region in second place, producing 1 billion liters.
The publication’s results revealed that the total number of sheep was 29.4 million, with 22 million goats, of which 19.3% were male and 80.7% were female. The total number of goats was 7.4 million, while camels stood at 2.2 million. 32% of camels were under four years old, and 68% were four years or older.
Additionally, the Livestock Statistics Publication 2023 showed that total broiler chicken production exceeded 1.1 million tons across the various administrative regions. Riyadh region ranked first in broiler chicken production, with 282 thousand tons, followed by Makkah region in second place with 185 thousand tons, and Hail region in third with 171 thousand tons. Meanwhile, table egg production reached 7.9 billion eggs from laying chicken. Riyadh region again led in egg production, with 3 billion eggs, followed by Makkah with 1.4 billion eggs, and the Eastern region with 1 billion eggs, out of the total table egg production in the Kingdom in 2023.
It is worth noting that the Livestock Statistics Publication is based on data from the comprehensive agricultural survey conducted by the General Authority for Statistics across the administrative regions of Saudi Arabia, as well as administrative data from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the Agricultural Development Fund, the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority, and the Saudi Central Bank. The publication provides up-to-date data on livestock numbers, poultry and birds, organic livestock, the quantity and value of animal product exports and imports, and the value of loans granted to livestock projects across the Kingdom's administrative regions.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) has been awarded the Certificate of Platforms by the Digital Government Authority (DGA) in recognition of its pioneering role in meeting the requirements of the Unified System for Government Platforms through the unified platform. This achievement contributes to enhancing user experience and improving the Kingdom's ranking in international indices. GASTAT is among the first entities to comply with the regulations and specifications of the Digital Platform Code, which align with the latest global standards for digital portals. This initiative supports the digital transformation currently taking place within government entities in the Kingdom, enhances their digital performance, and improves the quality of digital services provided to meet the requirements of Saudi Vision 2030.
The Digital Government Authority hosted an event to honor government entities that have successfully implemented the Platform Code, during which GASTAT was recognized. The Certificate of Platforms was presented by H.E. the Governor of the Digital Government Authority, Eng. Ahmed bin Mohammed Alsuwayan, to the GASTAT Vice President, Mr. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Rasheed. The event was attended by GASTAT’s team, along with distinguished guests, including senior officials, representatives from government entities, and private sector delegates.
It is noteworthy that the Digital Platform Code is an open-source design system developed by the Digital Government Authority. It standardizes government digital projects, catering to their specific requirements and supporting their mandates. The code establishes unified guidelines for the visual identity of government websites, including colors, fonts, and overall design, while preserving the distinctiveness of each entity and accommodating the unique needs of its platform users.