General Authority for Statistics announced today on its official website (stats.gov.sa) the publication of the health determinants indicators in the Kingdom for the year 2023. The results of the publication indicated that the prevalence of obesity among KSA adult population reached 23.7%, and this percentage is similar between males and females. However, the percentage of individuals with ideal weight was significantly higher among females at 39.6% compared to males at 29.5%. Furthermore, the prevalence of obesity among children under the age of fifteen reached 7.3%, while the percentage of children who are underweight was 41%. On the other hand, the results of the Early Childhood Development and Child Well-being Statistics publication for the year 2023 revealed that the percentage of children, females and males in the Kingdom who are developmentally on track in health, learning, and psychosocial and social well-being reached 80.1, 83%, and 77.3%, respectively. Tabuk region recorded the highest value for the Early Childhood Development Indicator at a rate of 83.9%, while Jazan region recorded the lowest value at a rate of 75.9%. Furthermore, the percentage of children in the Kingdom under the age of five who have the ability to speak at least one language well made up 78%, with the percentage of males reaching 75.5%, compared to 80.6% of females.

Yesterday, Wednesday, November 16, 2023, the General Authority for Statistics signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones, on the sidelines of the Black Hat global conference and exhibition held in Riyadh. The agreement aims to enhance integration between the two parties in the field of cybersecurity through the exchange of experiences, knowledge, and relevant information . It also aims to create opportunities for the development and implementation of joint programs and initiatives that contribute to the development of national human resources capabilities in cybersecurity. The memorandum was signed on behalf of the General Authority for Statistics by Mr. Ahmed Al-Ibrahim, Director-General of Cybersecurity and Data Governance, while it was signed on behalf of the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones by Mr. Khaled Al-Sulaim, Deputy Executive President for Business Sector at the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity. The memorandum included the development and exchange of experiences between the two parties, providing opportunities for the employees of both organizations in the field of cybersecurity, exchanging support, technical experiences, and knowledge in areas of mutual interest, as well as providing consultations in each party's areas of expertise.

Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Al-Dossari, President of the General Authority for Statistics, received Mr. Jan Reinhold, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia, in a meeting held on Tuesday, November 21, 2023,in Riyadh, to discuss ways to enhance joint work in the statistical sector and opportunities for developing cooperation in the field of statistical data. During the meeting, the two sides discussed enhancing the level of joint coordination between the their countries in the field of statistical data, working on continuous development of bilateral relations, and using modern technology in disseminating indicators, organizing statistical data and its governance, as well as a number of topics of mutual interest in the statistical field between the two countries. Dr. Fahad Al-Dossari emphasized the importance of the joint relations between the two countries and the importance of cooperation in the field of statistics. He opened broader and more welcoming prospects for cooperation with European countries, in addition to effective cooperation in the field of statistical information and data between the two countries. It is worth mentioning that the trade exchange between Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Estonia amounted to 133 million SAR until September 2023, with total exports to Estonia reaching 59 million SAR, while Saudi Arabia’s imports from Estonia amounted to 73 million SAR.

The 48th meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Arab Institute for Training and Research in Statistics (AITRS) was held in Jeddah. Heads of official Arab statistical centers participated in the meeting. In the opening session, Dr. Fahad Abdullah Aldossari, President of the General Authority for Statistics, delivered an opening speech welcoming the participating delegations and wishing them successful meetings and a pleasant stay in their second home, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  The 48th meeting began with a review of the activities carried out by the Institute during the year 2022, including training courses, studies, and technical consultations provided by the Institute to various Arab statistical agencies in the field of statistical work. The Board of Trustees discussed the Institute's work plan and budget for implementation during the fiscal year 2023/2024. In addition, discussions were held on statistical activities and initiatives in Arab countries and common statistical issues to contribute to providing accurate data necessary for implementing comprehensive economic and social development plans at the Arab regional level. It also aimed to support official statistical systems in Arab countries in fulfilling their developmental duties at both the national and regional levels by providing accurate data and indicators that contribute to enhancing opportunities for better policymaking. It is worth mentioning that the Arab Institute for Training and Research in Statistics plays an important role in developing and building the capacities of human resources in Arab statistical agencies. This is achieved by meeting their training and technical consultation needs in the field of methodologies, concepts, and tools for managing official statistical work. The Institute also develops and implements research and statistical studies relevant to the interests of statistical agencies, in line with their needs. Additionally, it contributes to raising awareness of statistical work by participating in various seminars and conferences held at the regional and international levels.

General Authority for Statistics and Health Insurance Council signed a cooperation agreement between the two parties at the headquarters of the Health Insurance Council. The agreement was signed by Dr. Fahad Aldossari, President of the General Authority for Statistics, and Dr. Shabab Al-Ghamdi, Secretary-General of the Health Insurance Council. The collaboration is a continuation of the significant role that both entities have played in supplying indicators and statistical data. The statistical data and indicators related to the health sector are of high importance to policymakers and decision-makers. Integrating the efforts of both entities enhances the quality and reliability of the data and indicators. Additionally, the agreement includes the exchange of technical and knowledge expertise and working together to improve statistical products and provide technical support in the statistical aspects related to the services of the Health Insurance Council. It also aims to enhance the level of joint coordination in the field of exchanging statistical data, which contributes to providing information and enhancing the services provided to beneficiaries of health insurance.

The Board of Directors of the General Authority for Statistics held its 26th meeting, chaired by His Excellency the Minister of Economy and Planning, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Statistics, Mr. Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim. Several topics were discussed related to the development of statistical work and enhancing the role of the Authority. The Board reviewed the progress made in the projects and strategic initiatives that the Authority is currently working on as part of its strategic transformation. They also discussed the statistical products that will be developed and issued in the coming phase, which will meet the requirements of government and private entities and align with international standards. It is worth mentioning that the General Authority for Statistics is in charge of designing and implementing field surveys, conducting statistical studies and research, collecting and analyzing data, documenting and tabulating it, and extracting indicators. It is also responsible for all activities related to documenting and preserving statistical information and data, as well as preparing national statistical manuals and classifications according to international standards.

General Authority for Statistics has signed a memorandum of cooperation(MoC) with Saudi Broadcasting Authority, aimed at enhancing cooperation between the two entities and promoting coordination and integration of efforts in their respective fields. The (MoC) was signed by Dr. Fahad Aldossari, President of the General Authority for Statistics, and Mr. Mohammed Fahad Al-Harthi, CEO of the Saudi Broadcasting Authority. It includes several areas of collaboration, including the exchange of support and technical and scientific expertise, cooperation in conducting statistical surveys related to providing statistical data and indicators for the media and advertising market, viewership rates, and viewer satisfaction. It also includes the exchange of advice, including research and studies, and the provision of opportunities for employees of both parties to participate in training courses, seminars, scientific conferences, and workshops organized by each party. In this context, Dr. Fahad Aldossari, the President of the General Authority for Statistics, emphasized that the statistical work carried out by the Authority is an important component in achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by building statistical indicators and measuring them. He pointed out that the media sector receives great attention due to its pivotal role and its effective contribution in enhancing knowledge and building awareness among society towards various sectors and their work, including the General Authority for Statistics and its role in providing statistical data and indicators. He added that this (MoC) will support both entities in fulfilling their roles. Mr. Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Harithi, CEO of the Saudi Broadcasting Authority, affirmed that this (MoC) emphasizes the importance of integration between government entities, which positively reflects on the success of joint work. It also supports the strategy of the Authority in enhancing cooperation with other government entities to keep up with the process of development and change that the Authority is going through. It is worth mentioning that the General Authority for Statistics is the statistical Authority in the Kingdom, and the only official reference for implementing statistical work, as well as its technical and regulatory supervisor. It has multiple tasks, including collecting statistical data and information from public and private entities and individuals, analyzing and studying this data to calculate various statistical indicators, as well as providing statistical consultations and reports for surveys, research, and other data and statistical services within its scope of work. The Saudi Broadcasting Authority has recently been working on strengthening cooperation with government entities in various sectors, keeping pace with the development witnessed by the Kingdom in all fields. The Authority is dedicating all its efforts to anything that enhances the Kingdom's position and highlights the continuous work to achieve the ambitious Vision 2030, which is inseparable from the roles of active media entities.

His Excellency Dr. Fahad Aldossari, President of the General Authority for Statistics, met with Mr. Mohammed Ali AlQaed CEO of the Information & eGovernment Authority in the Kingdom of Bahrain, on the sidelines of the 9th Global Conference on Statistical Data and Metadata Exchange (SDMX). They discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the statistical sector and reviewed opportunities to develop collaboration in the field of statistical data and various topics of mutual interest in the statistical field between the two countries. At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Fahad Aldossari congratulated the Kingdom of Bahrain on the successful hosting of the (SDMX) conference, commending the efforts of the Information & eGovernment Authority, which contributed to the success of the first-ever hosting of the event in the Middle East. He expressed his hopes that the conference would achieve its objectives and contribute to the international efforts aimed at developing the exchange of statistical data and metadata. During the meeting, both sides discussed enhancing the level of coordination in the field of statistical data and metadata, as well as working on the continuous development of bilateral relations. They also discussed developing methods and techniques for calculating indicators, including household income and expenditure surveys, and providing up-to-date statistical data to enhance joint efforts in sustainable development goals between the two countries. This includes the continuous development of mechanisms for calculating indicators, exchanging statistical data and metadata, and governing them, as well as developing cloud computing techniques and continuously benefiting from modern technologies. It is worth mentioning that Dr. Fahad Aldossari, the President of the General Authority for Statistics, visited the Kingdom of Bahrain leading a statistical delegation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to participate in the 9th Global Conference on Statistical Data and Metadata Exchange (SDMX), organized by the Information & eGovernment Authority in Bahrain. The conference is a global event held every two years under the Global SDMX Initiative, launched in 2002, and managed by a group of international organizations with the aim of unifying and updating mechanisms and processes for exchanging statistical data and metadata between international organizations and official statistical agencies.

The General Authority for Statistics and the Korean Statistical Office held a bilateral meeting with the participation of several statistical officials from both sides, in order to activate the joint cooperation program in the statistical field between the General Authority for Statistics and the Korean Statistical Office, whose signature was witnessed by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince - may God protect him - and the Korean President, and signed by the Kingdom's Minister of Economy and Planning, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Statistics, Mr. Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim, and from the Korean side, the Deputy Prime Minister of Economy and Finance of South Korea, Mr. Cho Kyung-Ho. The meeting discussed the mechanism for activating joint cooperation and implementing the statistical work program between the two countries, in addition to enhancing the level of joint coordination in the field of statistical data and working on the continuous development of bilateral relations. It also discussed the development of methods and techniques for calculating indicators and providing accurate and up-to-date statistical data to enhance the goals of sustainable development in all fields. The President of the General Authority for Statistics, Dr. Fahad Aldossari, drew attention to the gracious care received by the joint cooperation program in the statistical field from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince - may God protect him - and in the presence of the Korean President. This confirms the care for the statistical sector and its role in providing data and indicators that support decision-makers and policy-makers in both countries. He praised the fruitful cooperation between the Authority and its Korean counterpart, which has lasted for more than six years, during which the two sides exchanged knowledge and technical expertise in the statistical field, leading to the enhancement of joint cooperation in the coming stage. It should be noted that the joint cooperation program aims to implement evidence-based policies and enhance cooperation in the field of official statistics through the exchange of expertise to produce various indicators and statistics using modern technologies that are in line with global developments in the field of data. It also includes the exchange of statistics that support economic activities and the provision of scientific participation and training opportunities through the organization of joint seminars and workshops between the two countries.