Medellín: President of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Aldossari led the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's delegation at the Fifth UN World Data Forum held in Medellín, Colombia, between November 12 and 15. The forum, attended by representatives from 193 UN member states, included the official announcement of Saudi Arabia hosting the forum's sixth edition in Riyadh in 2026. According to Saudi Press Agency, Aldossari attended the official meeting of the High-Level Group for Partnership, Coordination, and Capacity-Building for Statistics for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (HLG-PCCB). Discussions focused on the group's aspirations for the sixth forum, key topics to be addressed, and preparations for the upcoming event in Riyadh. He stressed the Kingdom's readiness to host the forum, pledging to provide all necessary resources to ensure an exceptional edition reflecting the importance of statistical work. He highlighted Saudi Arabia's advanced capabilities to host globa l events and expressed hope that the forum would support efforts to provide high-quality statistical data and indicators, enabling advanced insights into achieving Sustainable Development Goals among member states. As a keynote speaker at the forum, Aldossari shared Saudi Arabia's experience in statistical work, showcasing GASTAT's independent role in producing reliable statistical data based on the robust foundation of the Kingdom's official national statistical system, established over 65 years ago. He highlighted the authority's contribution to supporting decision-makers and policymakers and the sector's alignment with the Saudi Vision 2030 goals. Aldossari also held bilateral meetings with leaders of international organizations, committees, and statistical bodies. He met with the Director of the UN Statistics Division, Stefan Schweinfest, over the role of statistical data in sustainable development, enhancing the quality of life, and supporting policymakers. Aldossari also engaged with his counterparts from statistical offices in Palestine, Switzerland, and Colombia, where discussions reiterated the importance of data issued by statistical authorities worldwide as a cornerstone for development and improving global well-being. He stressed the role of statistical indicators in creating holistic visions for scientifically grounded development plans, calling for exchanging relevant expertise and experiences among countries to realize integration. On the sidelines of the forum, Aldossari held separate meetings with the CEO of the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data, the president of the Open Data Initiative, and the Chair of Paris21, an organization specializing in statistics for development. The discussions explored avenues for cooperation to leverage these organizations' expertise and showcased GASTAT's efforts to develop its statistical systems and boost international cooperation in statistical work.
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