Under the patronage of H.E. Faisal bin Fadhel Al-Ibrahim, Minister of Economy and Planning and Chairman of GASTAT’s Board of Directors, the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has successfully organised the first-ever Saudi Statistics Forum on 27-28 April 2025, in Riyadh, under the theme “Statistics for Sustainable Opportunities”. The Forum brought together high-level participants, including ministers, leaders and representatives of international organizations, statistical office experts, and both local and international specialists working in the field of statistical development.

The SESRIC delegation, headed by H.E. Zehra Zümrüt SELÇUK, participated in the Forum to support and contribute to the efforts of OIC countries in improving the national statistical systems through such global and regional statistical platforms. H.E. SELÇUK addressed the gathering as one of the speakers of the panel discussion titled “Integration Between Statistical Institutions and Data Beneficiaries”. In her remarks, she emphasised the importance of transparency, effective engagement, and partnership to build trust between statistical offices and data users. She also stressed the significance of incorporating user feedback through formal and informal mechanisms to enhance statistical products. Furthermore, she underscored the need to promote a culture of data-driven decision-making by raising awareness, strengthening statistical literacy, and fostering collaboration across sectors.

In this regard, SESRIC, as the main statistical arm of the OIC, continuously works to strengthen evidence-based policymaking and advance sustainable development across OIC countries by improving the national statistical systems.

Across five thematic sessions, the Forum explored:

• the role of statistics in evidence-based policymaking;
• global methodologies, best practices, and recent innovations—including applications of artificial intelligence and digital data-collection tools;
• the private sector’s contribution to data production and support; and
• pathways to deepen cooperation between statistical institutions and data users.

The Forum also served as a platform to highlight the value of partnerships, facilitating agreements and bilateral meetings among national, regional, and global statistical agencies. Participants heard from leading officials, senior managers, and experts on emerging issues in official statistics—such as the use of artificial intelligence and the modernisation and digitalisation of data collection, collation, and dissemination practices by National Statistical Offices, relevant line ministries, and academia.

For more information about the Forum, please visit: https://www.stats.gov.sa/en/statistical-forum

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