In response to an invitation from the Authority of Statistics and Geographic Information System (ASGIS), Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Aldossari, President of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), participated in the national conference to announce the core results of the general population and housing census 2024 in the Republic of Iraq. The conference, held in Baghdad, was part of the announcement of the opening of the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning, His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Ali Tamim, about the results of the first national census of the population in Iraq. This event is of great national importance and will shed light on Iraq's economic, social and political future, as well as provide an accurate picture of population distribution to help in developing better plans and policies for sustainable development, supporting decision-making, and achieving the targeted future visions of the Republic of Iraq.
During his participation in a dialogue session titled "Turning Census Results into Work: Lessons Learned from Global Experiences," Dr. Aldossari explained that GASTAT has strived to keep pace with the comprehensive transformations witnessed by the Kingdom under Saudi Vision 2030. Since the launch of the vision, data quality and accuracy have significantly improved, integration and collaboration among government entities have increased, and the digital infrastructure in the Kingdom has evolved, enabling GASTAT to follow the best global methodologies and benefit from the latest technologies in implementing the Saudi Census of 2022 using satellite imagery, self-counting technology, and modern methods for issuing statistical data.
In the same context, Dr. Fahad Aldossari stated that the focus on modernizing statistical systems aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, prioritizing technological innovation and data-driven governance. He emphasized that Saudi Arabia's investment is based on the belief that technological advancement is not just a means to improve efficiency and accuracy, but a fundamental pillar in transforming statistical centers into strategic tools that support decision-makers in developing data-driven economic and social policies.
It is worth noting that the Kingdom is participating in the national conference to announce the core results of the general census of population and housing in 2024 in the Republic of Iraq, hosted in Baghdad by GASTAT, in the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning of the Republic of Iraq, His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Ali Tamim, the Minister of Planning for the Kurdistan Regional Government, His Excellency Dr. Dara RashId, along with several ministers, parliament members, heads of authorities, the representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, international agencies, accredited ambassadors in Iraq, Arab statistical agencies' heads, experts, and speakers in statistical fields. The significance of the population census for the Republic of Iraq lies in being the first of its kind after 37 years, a significant step in providing an accurate statistical database used as a reliable basis for shaping economic and social policies, supporting decision-makers in developing developmental plans for various sectors in the Republic of Iraq, and providing local and international investors with accurate data to encourage investment in line with Iraq's future goals and visions.
Furthermore, a delegation from the Authority of Statistics and Geographic Information SVystem (ASGIS) had visited GASTAT in June 2024 to learn about the Saudi statistical experience, especially regarding the general population and housing census (Saudi Census 2022). The visit aimed to discuss enhancing opportunities for cooperation in statistical fields and other areas of mutual interest. The visit confirmed the fraternal relations and efforts to exchange experiences in statistical work between the two countries and benefit from Saudi Arabia's leading experience in the population census, emphasizing the desire to develop mutual statistical cooperation and strengthen ties to maximize the benefits of advancements in statistical work.