The Statistical Center of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf celebrated the Gulf Statistics Day this year under the slogan “The Future of Statistics Towards Sustainable Gulf Development” to embody the role played by statistics in supporting development efforts by providing reliable data and indicators to decision-makers and measuring development achievements. The celebration, which was held today in Muscat, was sponsored by His Excellency Jassim bin Mohammed Al-Badawi, Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, and attended by His Excellency Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman.
His Excellency the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council said that the Gulf statistical system has witnessed a remarkable improvement and development, which has been positively reflected in the construction of comprehensive, accurate and high-quality databases, noting that the Gulf Statistical Center has completed 152 statistical products this year.
His Excellency added in his speech that the future of statistics requires supporting Gulf statistical work by expanding the scope of joint programs, building partnerships with universities and research centers, and employing artificial intelligence technologies in this statistical work. For her part, Her Excellency Intisar bint Abdullah Al Wahaibi, Director General of the Statistical Center for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, said that the Gulf statistical agencies have made great strides in building a statistical system that rises to international levels and supports the ambitious goals of the GCC countries and is based on strong partnerships and close cooperation between them, noting that there are opportunities that carry great potential and open broad horizons to improve the quality and speed of data through the use of modern technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data analysis.
In her speech, Her Excellency stressed that the Gulf Statistical Center is keen to present a modern model that integrates statistical and informational work to support decision-making in a manner consistent with the requirements of the information and knowledge economy, calling for continuing work on knowledge and capacity building programs, enhancing cooperation between member states, and exchanging expertise at the regional and international levels.
