The 3^rd meeting of the Steering Committee of the “Arabstat” Initiative was organised by the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF ) in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates ) on 2-3 November 2016. Mr. Syed Tahir Mahmud, Researcher at Statistics and Information Department represented SESRIC thereat.

The “Arabstat” Initiative, launched early 2013, aims to assist Arab Countries to improve National Statistical Systems through strengthening statistical capacity and to promote the implementation of internationally agreed standards, concepts, methods and frameworks for statistical activities. It also aims at promoting the dissemination of statistical information about the Arab Region.

To carry out its mission effectively, “Arabstat” has two permanent bodies, namely, a Secretariat undertaken by AMF and the Steering Committee acting as an advisory body. The Steering Committee is composed of representatives of National Statistical Offices, Ministries of Finance, Central Banks and Monetary Agencies of Arab Countries. It also includes representatives of Partner Development Institutions namely, Arab Institute for Training and Research in Statistics (AITRS), General Secretariat of the Arab League, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), Statistical Center for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC- Stat), Islamic Development Bank (IDB), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Statistical Economic and Social Research and Training Center for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) and World Bank.

The Committee was expected to review the progress achieved towards improving statistical capacity in the Arab Countries through the implementation of the current work plan and to dicuss ttmhe Initiative’s work plan for 2016-2017. The Committee was also be informed of the findings of the surveys conducted in the Arab Countries.