GASTAT hosts the 15th Session of the of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Statistical Committee (OIC-StatCom)

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30-09-2026

GASTAT hosted the 15th Session of the of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Statistical Committee (OIC-StatCom) in Jeddah on September 29–30, 2026, with the participation of heads and representatives of statistical offices from member states, as well as regional and international organizations.
The session addressed a number of topics related to advancing statistical work across member states, most notably the modernization of population and housing statistics through digital systems, the implementation of the 2025 System of National Accounts, and the monitoring of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicators. The session also reviewed member states’ experiences in leveraging emerging technologies and artificial intelligence in official statistics, as well as activities carried out since the previous session.
During the opening session, Fahad Aldossari, the President of GASTAT, delivered the Kingdom’s statement, emphasizing that Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the 15th Session of the of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Statistical Committee (OIC-StatCom) reflects its strong commitment to advancing statistical work and strengthening its role in keeping pace with evolving developments and meeting the growing demand for data.
He also highlighted the importance of leveraging modern technologies to enhance official statistics, thereby contributing to the provision of reliable data that supports decision-making.
On the sidelines of the session, a panel discussion titled “Fostering Partnerships within Statistical Ecosystems” as part of the sub-theme of the 6th UN World Data Forum. The session explored ways to strengthen public-private partnerships to support the development of statistical data, international cooperation in data sharing, and the role of international partnerships in addressing global challenges.
During the session, GASTAT also highlighted the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s preparations to host the 6th UN World Data Forum, scheduled to take place in Riyadh in November 2026. GASTAT also highlighted the efforts undertaken as part of the “Road to Riyadh” activities, including workshops and panel discussions aimed at fostering participation and exchanging knowledge and expertise in preparation for the Forum.

It is worth noting that, since the adoption of the Istanbul Declaration in 2010, OIC member states have held annual meetings under the umbrella of the OIC Statistical Committee. SESRIC, as the Secretariat of the Committee, continues to support initiatives aimed at strengthening the exchange of experiences, good practices, and technical knowledge among statistical offices across member states.
 

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