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شارك رئيس الهيئة العامة للإحصاء فهد بن عبدالله الدوسري في أعمال الاجتماع 14 للجنة الدائمة لشؤون العمل الإحصائي بدول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية الذي عُقد افتراضيًا ونظمه المركز الإحصائي الخليجي بمشاركة رؤساء الأجهزة الإحصائية في الدول الأعضاء وذلك بهدف تعزيز التعاون والتنسيق المشترك وتطوير العمل الإحصائي الخليجي بما يدعم مسيرة التنمية في دول المجلس. 
وناقش الاجتماع عددًا من الموضوعات المدرجة على جدول الأعمال من أبرزها مستجدات التحضيرات الخاصة بمنتدى الأمم المتحدة العالمي السادس للبيانات 2026 الذي تستضيفه المملكة العربية السعودية في مدينة الرياض واستعراض فعاليات «الطريق إلى الرياض» والجهود الرامية إلى تعزيز مشاركة الشركاء والجهات ذات العلاقة في أعمال المنتدى إلى جانب تعزيز التعاون الدولي في مجالات البيانات والإحصاء.  
وتناول الاجتماع مناقشة الخطة الاستراتيجية للعمل الإحصائي الخليجي المشترك للفترة (2026–2030) والتي تهدف إلى تعزيز التكامل الإحصائي بين دول مجلس التعاون، وتطوير المبادرات والمشاريع المشتركة بما يسهم في رفع كفاءة العمل الإحصائي الخليجي وتوحيد الجهود الداعمة لصناعة القرار والتنمية المستدامة، وأقرّ رؤساء الأجهزة الإحصائية في الدول الأعضاء الوثيقة الاستراتيجية تمهيداً لرفعها إلى المجلس الوزاري للنظر في اعتمادها بشكلها النهائي.
وشهد الاجتماع استعراض مشروع تطوير الإطار الخليجي للمعايير والمنهجيات الإحصائية مع التأكيد على أهمية تبني المنهجيات الحديثة والتصانيف الدولية المعتمدة والاستفادة من السجلات الإدارية ومصادر البيانات المتقدمة وتقنيات الذكاء الاصطناعي بما يسهم في رفع جودة المخرجات الإحصائية وتعزيز قابليتها للمقارنة على المستويين الخليجي والدولي إلى جانب التشديد على أهمية حماية سرية البيانات وتطبيق الضوابط والمعايير المعتمدة لضمان أمنها والمحافظة على خصوصيتها وفق السياسات الوطنية المعمول بها في الدول الأعضاء. 
كما تطرق الاجتماع إلى بحث سبل تعزيز التكامل الإحصائي وتنسيق الجهود المشتركة في ظل المتغيرات الاقتصادية المتسارعة وفي هذا الإطار تم تشكيل فريق عمل لمراجعة الأولويات والبرامج والأنشطة الإحصائية وتفعيل تبادل الخبرات بين الدول الأعضاء بما يضمن استمرارية وتكامل العمل الإحصائي الخليجي. 
وأكد رئيس الهيئة العامة للإحصاء أن العمل الإحصائي الخليجي المشترك يمثل نموذجًا للتكامل والتعاون بين دول مجلس التعاون ويسهم في تطوير المنظومة الإحصائية الخليجية وتعزيز الاستفادة من البيانات في دعم السياسات والبرامج التنموية مشيرًا إلى أهمية مواصلة الجهود المشتركة لتبني الممارسات والمنهجيات الإحصائية الحديثة وتطوير القدرات الوطنية بما يواكب التحولات المتسارعة في مجالات البيانات والتقنيات الناشئة.
تجدر الأشارة أن الاجتماع الرابع عشر للجنة الدائمة لشؤون العمل الإحصائي بدول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية يأتي في إطار الجهود المستمرة لتعزيز التكامل الإحصائي بين دول مجلس التعاون وتطوير العمل المشترك في مجالات البيانات والإحصاء بما يدعم اتخاذ القرار المبني على البيانات ويرفع من كفاءة المنظومات الإحصائية الخليجية وقدرتها على مواكبة المتغيرات التنموية المستقبلية.
 

Fahad Aldossari, President of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), headed the GASTAT delegation participating in the Global Data Festival 2026, held in Nairobi, Kenya, from June 2 to 5, 2026. The event brought together a wide range of leaders and experts in data, statistics, technology, and innovation from around the world to discuss ways to advance data ecosystems and strengthen their role in supporting sustainable development and data-driven decision-making.
During his participation as a keynote speaker at the festival’s closing ceremony, Aldossari highlighted Saudi Arabia’s efforts to strengthen data and statistical ecosystems, reaffirming its commitment to fostering innovation, promoting international cooperation, and leveraging data and emerging technologies to advance sustainable development. He also underscored the importance of integrating statistical systems, geospatial information, and artificial intelligence technologies to address global development challenges.
On the sidelines of the festival, GASTAT President held a series of bilateral meetings with international and statistical organizations. These included a meeting with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), represented by Director General Dr. Macdonald George Obudho, who also serves as Co-Chair of the High-level Group for Partnership, Coordination and Capacity-Building for Statistics for the 2030 Agenda (HLG-PCCB).
During the meeting, the two sides discussed the strategic priorities of the 2026 UN World Data Forum, scheduled to be held in Riyadh next November. They also explored mechanisms for aligning and integrating the outcomes of the Global Data Festival in Nairobi with those of the Forum, discussed the initial direction of the outcome document, and reviewed ongoing efforts to ensure the success of the event through the “Road to Riyadh” activities. In addition, they explored opportunities for collaboration within the framework of the High-level Group
GASTAT President also met with Ms. Jenna Slotin, representative of the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (GPSDD), to discuss the Partnership’s priorities and areas of work. The meeting reviewed GASTAT’s preparations for hosting the 2026 UN World Data Forum and its strategic vision for the event.
The two sides also explored opportunities for collaboration and engagement during both the preparatory phase and the Forum itself, while laying the groundwork for future partnership and cooperation in support of international efforts aimed at harnessing data for sustainable development.
It is noteworthy that GASTAT’s participation in the Global Data Festival reflects its ongoing efforts to enhance Saudi Arabia’s presence in specialized international forums and reinforce its position as an active partner in advancing data and statistical ecosystems at both the regional and international levels.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) today hosted a panel discussion titled “Data for Sustainable Future” as part of “Road to Riyadh” events. The event forms part of Saudi Arabia’s preparations to host the Sixth United Nations World Data Forum 2026 (UNWDF), scheduled to take place in Riyadh this coming November, with broad participation from national and international experts and specialists in the fields of data, statistics, and sustainable development.

The session coincided with World Environment Day and highlighted the pivotal role of environmental data and statistics in advancing sustainability efforts, enhancing the effectiveness of decision-making, and measuring progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

It aimed to promote environmentally sustainable practices, raise awareness of the importance of environmental statistical indicators, and underscore the Kingdom’s commitment to global sustainability priorities and the SDGs. It also sought to strengthen collaboration between producers and users of environmental data to maximize its value in supporting development policies and decision-making.

The session brought together a distinguished group of local and international experts and practitioners. It was moderated by Mohammed Alsaad, Director of Private Sector Partnerships at GASTAT, and featured contributions from Dr. Bahjat Hamouh, Executive Vice President for Vegetation Cover Development and Management at the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification; Golestan Radwan, Chief Digital Officer at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); Dr. Mubarak Alrashedi, Director General of Environmental Quality at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture; Ian Townsend, Deputy Director for Environmental Economy at the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS); and Dr. Abdullah Al Thunayan, General Supervisor of Environmental and Spatial Statistics at GASTAT.

Participants explored a range of topics related to the future of sustainability and emerging innovations in environmental measurement. Discussions also covered leading international methodologies and best practices for advancing environmental statistics, strengthening data integration, and fostering partnerships between statistical offices and environmental data stakeholders. These efforts contribute to building more sustainable environmental statistical systems, improving the quality and reliability of indicators, and leveraging advanced technologies for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of environmental data in line with rapidly evolving global trends.

It is worth noting that the “Road to Riyadh” event forms part of GASTAT’s broader efforts to showcase the Kingdom’s statistical transformation under Saudi Vision 2030 and to enhance national readiness and coordination for hosting the 6th UN lWDF 2026, one of the world’s foremost international platforms dedicated to data and sustainable development.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) organizes a panel discussion titled “Data for Sustainable Future” on Friday, 5 June 2026, as part of “Road to Riyadh” events. The event is being held within the framework of Saudi Arabia’s preparations to host the 6th United Nations World Data Forum (UNWDF) 2026 in Riyadh this coming November.
This panel discussion is held in conjunction with World Environment Day and aims to highlight the role of data and statistics in supporting sustainable development efforts, informing decision-making, and measuring progress toward achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
 It addresses a number of key themes, including the evolution of environmental data methodologies and guidelines, strengthening environmental statistics through innovative solutions, leveraging environmental data to advance sustainability initiatives, and fostering partnerships between statistical offices and relevant stakeholders.
‏ It is noteworthy that the “Road to Riyadh” events comprises panel discussions, conferences, and workshops. These events are designed to showcase Saudi Arabia’s statistical achievements under Saudi Vision 2030 and to strengthen coordination and readiness efforts in advance of hosting the UNWDF.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) announced today that the total number of pilgrims during 2026 reached (1,707,301), with external pilgrims arriving through various entry points making up (1,546,655), while internal pilgrims, comprising citizens and residents, reached (160,646).
GASTAT indicated in its statistical results for the 2026 Hajj season that the number of male pilgrims out of the total number of internal and external pilgrims reached (893,396), while the number of female pilgrims reached (813,905).
Regarding statistics on external pilgrims, GASTAT outlined the ways of arrival, indicating that (1,485,729) arrived by air, while (54,429) arrived by road, and (6,497) arrived by sea.
Additionally, GASTAT relied on administrative records data from the Ministry of Interior as the primary source for issuing statistical data and indicators for the 2026 Hajj season. It provides highly accurate and reliable register-based Hajj statistics through a unified model comprising multiple elements, in line with the statistical methodology adopted over the past six years. 
It is noteworthy that GASTAT is the only official statistical reference for statistical data and information in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Hajj Statistics Report for 2026 can be accessed via the following link:

https://www.stats.gov.sa/documents/d/guest/hajj-report-1447h-en

General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) participated in the 42nd meeting of the United Nations High-level Group for Partnership, Coordination and Capacity-Building for statistics for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (HLG-PCCB), which was held virtually with the participation of heads of statistical offices and representatives of regional and international statistical organizations and agencies that are members of the group.
The meeting was held as part of the preparations for the Sixth United Nations World Data Forum (UNWDF), scheduled to take place in Riyadh from 9 to 12 November 2026. During the meeting, participants reviewed updates on the Forum’s overall program and hosting arrangements, in addition to discussing several international initiatives related to data governance, development financing, and statistical capacity-building.
Fahad Aldossari, President of GASTAT, affirmed during the meeting the continued progress in the Kingdom’s preparations to host the Forum, as well as the ongoing coordination with the United Nations Statistics Division and international partners. He noted that these efforts reflect the Kingdom’s readiness to host this specialized international event and further strengthen its position as an active partner in supporting the global data and statistics agenda.
Aldossari also highlighted the continued progress of the “Road to Riyadh” events, which contribute to strengthening international dialogue and the exchange of expertise in data, statistics, and innovation. He further emphasized their role in supporting cooperation among relevant international entities and institutions, thereby contributing to the development of statistical systems and enhancing the utilization of statistical data in policymaking and decision-making. He affirmed that the Kingdom remains committed to supporting all international efforts and initiatives related to data and sustainable development.
It is noteworthy that the 6th UNWDF 2026 is one of the most prominent international platforms focused on data and sustainable development. It brings together a distinguished group of representatives from governments, international organizations, the private sector, academic institutions, and civil society to discuss the future of data and its role in supporting public policies and fostering global innovation. Hosting this event in Riyadh reflects the international  confidence in Saudi Arabia’s standing and capabilities in the fields of data and statistics.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the Short-term Business Statistics Publication for March 2026, which showed that the Operating Revenues Index increased by 10.2% compared to the corresponding month of 2025. This growth was driven by the performance of several economic activities, most notably the mining and quarrying activity, which rose by 25.5%, the wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles activity, which increased by 4.6%, in addition to a 4.8% increase in construction activity and a 17.6% increase in financial and insurance activities.
Monthly, the Operating Revenue Index recorded an increase of 8.1% in March 2026 compared to February 2026, supported by a 4.4% increase in manufacturing activities, a 38.6% increase in mining and quarrying activity, and a 0.2% increase in the wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles activity. Financial and insurance activities also increased by 2.6%, while information and communication activities rose by 0.6%, respectively.
It is noteworthy that the Short-term Business Statistics Publication is one of the economic statistical products aimed at measuring the short-term performance of various economic sectors through monthly indicators that monitor developments and growth rates across each activity. It covers all economic activities of establishments operating in the business sector in Saudi Arabia.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) published the Air Transport Statistics Publication 2025, which showed an increase in the total number of passengers passing through the Kingdom’s airports, reaching 140.9 million passengers, marking a 9.6% increase compared to 2024. The number of arriving and departing international passengers reached 75.8 million, an increase of 9.4%, while domestic passenger traffic amounted to 65.1 million, increasing by 9.8%.
King Abdulaziz International Airport ranked first among the Kingdom’s airports in terms of passenger numbers, recording 53.5 million passengers, followed by King Khalid International Airport with 40.8 million passengers, and King Fahd International Airport with 13.7 million passengers. The average daily number of passengers reached 178.6 thousand on domestic flights and 207.7 thousand on international flights.
The publication showed that the total number of arriving and departing flights at the Kingdom’s airports reached 979.8 thousand flights in 2025, representing an increase of 8.3% compared with 2024. Domestic flights totaled 506.3 thousand, increasing by 6.8%, while international flights reached 473.5 thousand, marking an increase of 9.9%. At the airport level, King Abdulaziz International Airport ranked first with 314.4 thousand flights, followed by King Khalid International Airport with 296.8 thousand flights, and King Fahd International Airport with 108.5 thousand flights. The average daily number of domestic flights reached 1,387 flights, compared with 1,297 international flights per day.
In terms of air connectivity, the number of countries reached through the Kingdom’s international airports stood at 66 countries, an increase of 1.5%, while the number of destinations rose to 176, increasing by 2.3% compared with 2024. Saudia ranked as the airline with the highest utilization of Saudi airspace, accounting for 25.5%, followed by flynas at 13.3% and flyadeal at 8.6%. The Kingdom ranked 18th in the Global Air Connectivity Index in 2025, compared with 17th place in 2024.
The Air Transport Statistics Publication is based on administrative records from a number of government and private entities, which undergo statistical processing and review procedures to ensure data quality and accuracy before publication.
It is noteworthy that the Air Transport Statistics Publication is an annual publication that provides statistics and indicators on the air transport system, including flight and passenger traffic, cargo, and air transport infrastructure. The publication serves as a reliable reference for conducting studies and research in the field of air transport, as well as for local, regional, and international comparisons. It is based on administrative records data obtained from a number of government and private entities.