GASTAT hosts a panel discussion titled Data for Sustainable Future as part of Road to Riyadh events

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05-06-2026

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) today hosted a panel discussion titled “Data for Sustainable Future” as part of “Road to Riyadh” events. The event forms part of Saudi Arabia’s preparations to host the Sixth United Nations World Data Forum 2026 (UNWDF), scheduled to take place in Riyadh this coming November, with broad participation from national and international experts and specialists in the fields of data, statistics, and sustainable development.

The session coincided with World Environment Day and highlighted the pivotal role of environmental data and statistics in advancing sustainability efforts, enhancing the effectiveness of decision-making, and measuring progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.


It aimed to promote environmentally sustainable practices, raise awareness of the importance of environmental statistical indicators, and underscore the Kingdom’s commitment to global sustainability priorities and the SDGs. It also sought to strengthen collaboration between producers and users of environmental data to maximize its value in supporting development policies and decision-making.


The session brought together a distinguished group of local and international experts and practitioners. It was moderated by Mohammed Alsaad, Director of Private Sector Partnerships at GASTAT, and featured contributions from Dr. Bahjat Hamouh, Executive Vice President for Vegetation Cover Development and Management at the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification; Golestan Radwan, Chief Digital Officer at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); Dr. Mubarak Alrashedi, Director General of Environmental Quality at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture; Ian Townsend, Deputy Director for Environmental Economy at the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS); and Dr. Abdullah Al Thunayan, General Supervisor of Environmental and Spatial Statistics at GASTAT.

Participants explored a range of topics related to the future of sustainability and emerging innovations in environmental measurement. Discussions also covered leading international methodologies and best practices for advancing environmental statistics, strengthening data integration, and fostering partnerships between statistical offices and environmental data stakeholders. These efforts contribute to building more sustainable environmental statistical systems, improving the quality and reliability of indicators, and leveraging advanced technologies for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of environmental data in line with rapidly evolving global trends.


It is worth noting that the “Road to Riyadh” event forms part of GASTAT’s broader efforts to showcase the Kingdom’s statistical transformation under Saudi Vision 2030 and to enhance national readiness and coordination for hosting the 6th UN lWDF 2026, one of the world’s foremost international platforms dedicated to data and sustainable development.

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