6th United Nations World Data Forum 2026

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Road to Riyadh 2026
“Road to Riyadh” is a dynamic series of events designed to build momentum, foster collaboration, and advance discussions on statistical data for sustainable development. These events are structured to align with national priorities as well as regional and global agendas, including the thematic areas and sub-themes of the 6th UN World Data Forum (UNWDF) 2026. This strategic approach by GASTAT is paving the way for a historic UNWDF in Riyadh.
Explore our upcoming events:

Second Forum for Universities and Statistical Associations

Overview

An annual forum that brings together academics, statisticians, innovators, members of national statistical associations, as well as university students, to discuss topics related to the field of statistics and data.

Objectives

- Announcing Road to Riyadh. - Explore how NSOs are leveraging advanced technologies and innovative methodologies. - Identify opportunities for collaboration and knowledge-sharing among statistical ecosystem.

Second Forum for Universities and Statistical Associations

UNWDF SUB -THEME

STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS & COLLABORATION IN DATA

VENUE

Jeddah

DETAILS

20 Oct 2025

International & Local

Hybrid

Multi-channel Access

Held to coincide with World Statistics Day

	Topics	Format
1	Contribution of universities to shaping the future of statistical innovation.	Panel Discussion
2	Innovative approaches to enhancing statistical data quality.	Panel Discussion
3	Ethics in statistical practices and safeguarding data privacy.	Panel Discussion
4	The impact of statistics on community development.	Panel Discussion
5	Practices of statistical offices in proving statistical data to users.	Panel Discussion

Panel Discussion | Utilizing Advanced Technologies and Methodologies to Enhance Statistical Ecosystems and Enable Sustainable Development

Overview

High-level panel discussion on the institutional significance of national statistical offices, leveraging advanced technologies, and fostering strategic partnerships to drive innovation within the statistical ecosystem.

Objectives

- Explore how NSOs are leveraging advanced technologies and innovative methodologies. - Identify opportunities for collaboration and knowledge-sharing among statistical ecosystem.

Panel Discussion | Utilizing Advanced Technologies and Methodologies to Enhance Statistical Ecosystems and Enable Sustainable Development

UNWDF SUB -THEME

PIONEERING INNOVATIVE & ADVANCED DATA TECHNOLOGIES

VENUE

Riyadh

DETAILS

11 Nov 2025

International & Local

Hybrid

Multi-channel Access

Held on the sidelines of the 40th HLG-PCCB meeting

	Topics	Format
1	Strengthening institutional relevance and public trust: strategic priorities for modern NSOs	Panel Discussion
2	Harnessing emerging technologies to shape the future of national statistical ecosystems.	Panel Discussion
3	Fostering innovation through strategic and cross-sector partnerships within NSOs.	Panel Discussion

Partners

Event Images

Event Videos

Panel Discussion | International Statistical Standards: The GCC NSOs Role in the Development and Implementation of International Standards

Overview

A high-level panel discussion bringing together leaders of GCC NSOs to explore and examine their collective contributions to advancing international statistical standards.

Objectives

- Showcase the leadership role of GCC NSOs in shaping and applying international statistical standards. - Strengthen regional cooperation among the GCC NSOs.

Panel Discussion | International Statistical Standards: The GCC NSOs Role in the Development and Implementation of International Standards

UNWDF SUB -THEME

STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS & COLLABORATION IN DATA

VENUE

Riyadh

DETAILS

10 Dec 2025

International & Local

Hybrid

Multi-channel Access

Held on the sideline of the 13th meeting of thfore GCC Permanent Committee Statistical Work

	Topics	Format
١	GCC NSOs contributions to the development of international statistical standards.	Panel Discussion
2	Harmonizing the implementation of international statistical standards across GCC NSOs.	Panel Discussion
3	Enhancing strategic partnership between GCC NSOs and international organization.	Panel Discussion

Quarterly Workshop | Statistical Practices

Overview

A series of workshops conducted on a quarterly basis to highlight GASTAT’s* experiences and practices across its core statistical functions and promote knowledge exchange within the statistical community.

Objective

Share knowledge of GASTAT’s experiences in statistical fields.

Quarterly Workshop | Statistical Practices

UNWDF SUB -THEME

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VENUE

Virtual

DETAILS

23 Dec 2025 Dec 2025

International & Local

Virtual

Multi-channel Access

	Topics	Format
	TBD

Panel Discussion | Commit to Data

Overview

This event focuses on fostering partnerships, building capacities, and promoting sustainable funding to drive innovation within the statistical ecosystem.

Objectives

- Strengthen international and cross-sector partnerships to build resilient and sustainable data systems. - Advance capacity building and innovation within national statistical offices through skills development and knowledge exchange.

Panel Discussion | Commit to Data

UNWDF SUB -THEME

STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS & COLLABORATION IN DATA

VENUE

Virtual

DETAILS

20 Jan 2026

International & Local

Virtual

Multi-channel Access

	Topics	Format
1	Partnerships for the future of data.	Keynote Speech
2	Global capacity building and statistical empowerment.	Panel Discussion
3	Financing statistical innovation.	Panel Discussion

Partners

Panel Discussion | Beyond Numbers - The Social Dimensions of Data

Overview

The event highlights the role of women in statistics and data. It also tackles the challenge of inclusivity in statistical ecosystems and data collection.

Objectives

Showcase Saudi women in data and innovation. Promote inclusive and equitable data systems.

Panel Discussion | Beyond Numbers - The Social Dimensions of Data

UNWDF SUB -THEME

LEVERAGING DATA FOR SOCIAL IMPACT & INCLUSIVE GROWTH

VENUE

Virtual

DETAILS

11 Feb 2026

International & Local

Virtual

Multi-channel Access

Held to coincide with International Day of Women and Girls in Science

	Topics	Format
1	The role of women in statistics.	Keynote Speech
2	Advancing equity through data-driven policymaking.	Panel Discussion
3	Empowering youth and women to shape the data and innovation agenda.	Panel Discussion

Partners

Quarterly Workshop | Statistical Practices

Overview

Objective

Share knowledge of GASTAT’s experiences in statistical fields.

Quarterly Workshop | Statistical Practices

UNWDF SUB -THEME

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VENUE

Virtual

DETAILS

01 Apr 2026

International & Local

Virtual

Multi-channel Access

	Topics	Format
	TBD	Showcase

Panel Discussion | ‏Pulse of Numbers: Statistical Data in Service of Health

Overview

The event addresses how robust health statistics, digital data capabilities, and sound data-governance practices can strengthen decision-making across the national health system.

Objectives

- Strengthen the quality and reliability of health indicators to better inform policy and planning. - Improve data-governance practices and institutional coordination to enable timely and effective health-sector decisions.

Panel Discussion | ‏Pulse of Numbers: Statistical Data in Service of Health

UNWDF SUB -THEME

LEVERAGING DATA FOR SOCIAL IMPACT & INCLUSIVE GROWTH

VENUE

Virtual

DETAILS

07 Apr 2026

International & Local

Virtual

Multi-channel Access

Held to coincide with World Health Day

	Topics	Format
1	The role of advanced technologies in shaping the future of global health.	Keynote Speech
2	Strengthening health-indicator measurement for sustainable development.	Panel Discussion
3	Improving health-data access and governance to enable evidence-based decision making.	Panel Discussion

Partners

Hackathon | Explore the Use of Emerging Technologies in Addressing Statistical Challenges

Overview

A global data challenge calls on innovators and technology experts to develop creative, data-driven solutions that address current statistical challenges.

Objectives

- Promote the use of advanced and emerging technologies in addressing statistical challenges. - Showcase use cases to enable stronger and sustainable data ecosystems.

Hackathon | Explore the Use of Emerging Technologies in Addressing Statistical Challenges

UNWDF SUB -THEME

PIONEERING INNOVATIVE & ADVANCED DATA TECHNOLOGIES

VENUE

TBD

DETAILS

15 Apr 2026

International & Local

Virtual

Multi-channel Access

	Topics	Format
1	Collecting data innovatively.	Hackathon
2	Data analysis and processing.	Hackathon
3	Development indicators production.	Hackathon
4	Data quality and verification.	Hackathon

Partners

Panel Discussion | Data Innovation to Advance Official Statistics

Overview

The event focuses on advancing official statistics in the Arab region by strengthening capabilities, adopting alternative data sources, and expanding regional collaboration.

Objective

- Sharing knowledge and best practices to strengthen the capacities of NSOs* in the Arab region.

Panel Discussion | Data Innovation to Advance Official Statistics

UNWDF SUB -THEME

STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS & COLLABORATION IN DATA

VENUE

TBD

DETAILS

11 May 2026

International & Local

Virtual

Multi-channel Access

	Topics	Format
1	The importance of regional collaboration and knowledge-sharing among Arab statistical offices.	Keynote Speech
2	Exploring best practices to support the capacity development of NSOs in the Arab region.	Panel Discussion
3	Leveraging alternative data sources and modern techniques to improve official statistics.	Panel Discussion

Partners

Panel Discussion | Data for Sustainable Future

Overview

An interactive event celebrating environment day and highlight the role of data in advancing sustainability.

Objectives

- Promote eco-friendly practices and raise awareness on the importance of environmental data. - Highlight KSA’s commitment to global sustainability priorities and the SDGs**.

Panel Discussion | Data for Sustainable Future

UNWDF SUB -THEME

HARNESSING DATA FOR SUSTAINABLE GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT

VENUE

Virtual

DETAILS

05 Jun 2026

International & Local

Virtual

Multi-channel Access

Held to coincide with UN* Environment Day

	Topics	Format
1	Global focus on a sustainable future environment.	Panel Discussion
2	Data innovations related to environmental measurements.	Panel Discussion

Partners

Quarterly Workshop | Statistical Practices

Overview

A series of workshops conducted on a quarterly basis to highlight GASTAT’s experiences and practices across its core statistical functions and promote knowledge exchange within the statistical community.

Objective

Share knowledge of GASTAT’s experiences in statistical fields.

Quarterly Workshop | Statistical Practices

UNWDF SUB -THEME

TBD

VENUE

Virtual

DETAILS

25 Jun 2026

International & Local

Virtual

Multi-channel Access

	Topics	Format
	TBD

Quarterly Workshop | Statistical Practices

Overview

Objective

Share knowledge of GASTAT’s experiences in statistical fields.

Quarterly Workshop | Statistical Practices

UNWDF SUB -THEME

TBD

VENUE

Virtual

DETAILS

25 Jun 2026

International & Local

Virtual

Multi-channel Access

	Topics	Format
	TBD

Panel Discussion | Fostering Partnerships Within Statistical Ecosystems

Overview

A workshop highlighting cooperation in statistics, enhancing comparability, and advancing collaborative approaches to tackle cross-border data challenges.

Objectives

- Promote stronger partnerships between national, regional, and international statistical institutions. - Foster multi-stakeholder engagement to support transparent and comparable data ecosystems.

Panel Discussion | Fostering Partnerships Within Statistical Ecosystems

UNWDF SUB -THEME

STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS & COLLABORATION IN DATA

VENUE

Riyadh

DETAILS

30 Sep 2026

International & Local

Hybrid

Multi-channel Access

Held on the Sideline of the 15th Session of the OIC* Statistical Commission

	Topics	Format
1	Advancing Public–private partnerships to strengthen statistical data.	Keynote Speech
2	International cooperation in data sharing.	Panel Discussion
3	Cross-border partnerships for global challenges.	Panel Discussion

Partners

Second Saudi Statistics Forum

Overview

An annual Saudi Statistics Forum gathering statistical data experts and officials to explore the strategic role of statistics in supporting sustainable development.

Objective

- Strengthen the statistical ecosystem by advancing partnerships that enhance impact of official statistics on policy-making.

Second Saudi Statistics Forum

UNWDF SUB -THEME

STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS & COLLABORATION IN DATA

VENUE

Riyadh

DETAILS

08 Nov 2026

International & Local

Hybrid

Multi-channel Access

	Topics	Format
1	Partnerships for the future of statistics.	Panel Discussion
2	Elevating data quality and institutional trust.	Panel Discussion
3	Innovative data production and analytics.	Panel Discussion
4	Harnessing statistics for sustainable development.	Panel Discussion

Quarterly Workshop | Statistical Practices

Overview

Objective

Share knowledge of GASTAT’s experiences in statistical fields.

Quarterly Workshop | Statistical Practices

UNWDF SUB -THEME

TBD

VENUE

TBD

DETAILS

25 Dec 2026

International & Local

Virtual

Multi-channel Access

	Topics	Format
	TBD

Third Forum for Universities and Statistical Associations

Overview

Objectives

- Strengthen collaboration between universities and statistical entities including statistical associations. - Empower young talents to lead innovation in the statistical domain.

Third Forum for Universities and Statistical Associations

UNWDF SUB -THEME

STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS & COLLABORATION IN DATA

VENUE

TBD

DETAILS

01 Dec 2026

International & Local

Hybrid

Multi-channel Access

	Topics	Format
1	TBD	TBD

Post-Road to Riyadh: Pathways to Sustainable and Enduring Impact

Overview

An event organized to present and highlight the key outcomes of Road to Riyadh.

Objective

- Showcase what have been achieved through Road to Riyadh and identifying the pathways that can be leveraged to ensure the sustainability of its impact.