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President of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), Fahad Aldossari, met today with Chairman of Najran Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Bader Hamod Almojel, to discuss potential cooperation between the two parties in exchange of statistical data and information. The meeting took place during a visit by a GASTAT delegation to the region.
The discussion focused on the importance of collaboration in their respective fields, leveraging accurate statistical indicators to support development plans, and improving the efficiency of commercial and industrial projects in the region, in line with the goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
This meeting reflects GASTAT’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its strategic partnerships with entities and institutions across all sectors, utilizing its statistical outputs to support national initiatives and objectives and advance development across various regions of Saudi Arabia.
 

H.E. the Minister of Economy and Planning and Chairman of the Board of Directors of GASTAT, Faisal F. Alibrahim, inaugurated a virtual workshop titled “Statistical Practices: Saudi statistical data… a pivotal role in supporting national development”. The workshop is organized by GASTAT as part of Road to Riyadh events in preparation for Saudi Arabia’s preparations hosting of the 6th UNWDF in November 2026.
In his opening speech, H.E. emphasized that this workshop represents an important step in strengthening the role of statistical data as a fundamental basis for national policy-making, formulating development plans, and measuring their impact. He highlighted that the integration of government efforts in developing a national statistical ecosystem that serves decision-makers, enhances transparency, and improves government performance. H.E. also stressed the importance of statistical data in monitoring Saudi Arabia’s progress toward achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and SDGs, affirming that statistics have become a strategic enabler to support flexible decision-making that keeps pace with global economic and social changes.
During the workshop, the President of GASTAT, Fahad Aldossari, delivered a detailed presentation on GASTAT’s transformation journey over the past years. He reviewed the pre-transformation phase, during which GASTAT provided around 50 statistical products, and highlighted the post-transformation phase, which marked a major leap in the statistical product system, now exceeding 80 products. Furthermore, he discussed the development of existing products, the implementation of modern methodologies aligned with international standards, and the increased frequency, level of detail, and statistical coverage of publications.
He also emphasized that the Council of Ministers approval of the Statistical Law represented a pivotal milestone in the development of the statistical ecosystem, enhancing the governance of statistical work and organizing roles and responsibilities in line with international best practices. He highlighted GASTAT’s key roles in collecting comprehensive data and information from various sources, producing and developing official statistics, publishing them, and providing them to government entities, private establishments, individuals, and international organizations.
Furthermore, he highlighted key statistical products issued by GASTAT, including GDP, industrial production index, international trade statistics, household income and expenditure survey, housing statistics, labor market statistics, and transportation and renewable energy statistics, emphasizing the role of these products in supporting decision-makers with accurate and reliable indicators.
In addition, he highlighted GASTAT’s efforts to facilitate access to statistical data, increase compliance with statistical publication to 94% and raise the number of website users to 8.5 million in 2025. He also noted the development of the website and the launch of the Microdata Lab as an advanced electronic service designed to meet clients’ requests using the best and fastest technological means.
Moreover, he highlighted Saudi Arabia’s success in securing the hosting of the 6th UNWDF 2026 in Riyadh. He noted Saudi Arabia’s membership in the High-level Group for Partnership, Coordination and Capacity-Building for statistics (HLG-PCCG) and its co-chairing of the Data Governance Working Group. Also, he emphasized GASTAT’s efforts to strengthen community and scientific partnerships through the Saudi Statistical Forum, the Universities and Statistical Associations Forum, and the launch of Saudi Arabia’s first specialized statistics Innovation Lab.
Additionally, he emphasized the progress achieved in institutional performance, noting that the Digital Transformation Measurement Index rose to 86% in 2025. He also highlighted programs for developing future leaders and Saudi statisticians, the transition to accrual-based accounting, the achievement of the Expenditure Efficiency Index, and advancement in the assessment of performance management practices from the transitional stage to the advanced stage.
Moreover, he addressed future focus areas, which include the growth and expansion of statistics, enhancing the use of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, leveraging new data sources, supporting statistical innovation, raising awareness, and building statistical capacity through training programs and the provision of statistical certifications for users, students, and professionals. These efforts aim to strengthen statistical literacy and increase the utilization of national data.
It is noteworthy that this workshop is part of a series of ongoing efforts by GASTAT within Road to Riyadh events, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s readiness to host the 6th UNWDF in 2026 and reinforcing its leading role in the development of statistical work at both regional and international levels.
 

GASTAT’s President met today at the Municipality headquarters with the Mayor of Najran Municipality, Eng. Saleh Alghamdi to discuss potential areas of collaboration, particularly in the exchange of data and statistical information that support planning and urban development in the region.

During the meeting, both parties discussed the importance of integration within their respective areas of expertise and the effective use of accurate statistical indicators to enhance the efficiency of projects and services, in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

It is worth noting that this meeting comes as part of GASTAT’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its strategic partnerships with government entities and institutions across all sectors, leveraging its statistical products to support national initiatives and targets and to advance development priorities across the various regions of the Kingdom.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) is participating alongside the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in celebrating Gulf Statistics Day, held annually on 24 December. This year’s celebration comes under the theme “Unified Data for Shared Vision”, reflecting the commitment of GCC statistical ecosystems to advancing statistical work and enhancing its role in supporting comprehensive development plans and achieving the objectives of national visions across the Council’s member states.
This year’s celebration continues the GCC countries’ efforts to build advanced statistical data ecosystems that provide accurate and harmonized statistics, enhancing the effectiveness of public policies, and supporting decision-making to meet sustainable development objectives. Gulf Statistics Day serves as an annual occasion to highlight the importance of the statistical sector and its pivotal role in shaping the developmental future of the GCC countries, as well as to raise public awareness of the value of statistical data as a key element in development, growth, and progress.
In this context, the President of GASTAT, Fahad Aldossari, emphasized that Gulf Statistics Day underscores the GCC countries’ commitment to enhancing statistical integration. He noted that harmonizing statistical data and unifying production methodologies constitute a fundamental pillar for achieving a shared vision based on a strong economy and sustainable development, in partnership with GCC statistical ecosystems, alongside the development of national transformation plans and modern methodologies for data production.
It is noteworthy that during its 141st session, held in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, on November 24, 2016, the GCC Ministerial Council approved the designation of an annual Gulf Statistics Day. The initiative aims to strengthen community partnerships with statistical authorities, highlight the vital role of statistics in supporting sustainable development, and underscore the strategic role of the Gulf data system in shaping policies and guiding developmental decision-making across the region.