Ashraf AboArafe
The High-Level Partnership, Coordination and Capacity-Building Group for Statistics for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (HLG-PCCB) announced the Kingdom’s victory, represented by the General Authority for Statistics, to host the 6th United Nations World Data Forum 2026 in Riyadh by a majority of votes, after reviewing the files of developed countries and clarifying their capabilities in hosting this forum, which represents a global event.
The announcement of the Kingdom’s victory came after a meeting of the HLG-PCCB group concerned with assigning hosting to developed countries, where the President of the General Authority for Statistics, Dr. Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Dosari, presented the Kingdom’s file for hosting, which included a review of the Authority’s progress in statistical work, the transformations it has witnessed to reach the current stage in which statistical work is going, the Kingdom’s pioneering experience in hosting global events, and its ability to provide all forms of logistical support to achieve the goals of these global events and occasions. The file also included a proposal for the main topic of the forum under the title “Using the latest technologies and methodologies to enhance global statistical systems and enable sustainable development.”
Dr. Fahad Al-Dosari stressed that the Kingdom’s hosting of this pioneering event reflects its prominent position among countries, noting the keenness of the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister – may God protect them – to support the statistical sector system based on the important pivotal role played by statistical data in supporting the implementation of comprehensive and sustainable development plans in all fields.
He pointed out that the Kingdom’s winning of the organization of the Sixth United Nations World Data Forum 2026 is a culmination of the outstanding efforts in the statistical work sector, and is a reflection of recent years that have witnessed a tangible expansion in the volume of statistical work, as the statistics sector in the Kingdom has witnessed major transformations through statistical initiatives and projects led by the General Authority for Statistics; with the aim of producing accurate and updated statistical data and indicators, as well as through continuous development in integrating various data sources using the best infrastructure for data management and governance.
It is noteworthy that the International Data Forum targets the 193 member states of the United Nations. The Kingdom’s winning of hosting the sixth edition of the Forum’s activities confirms the pivotal role played by the Kingdom in supporting the trends aimed at providing high-quality statistical data and indicators. International organizations and statistical offices in the member states of the United Nations participate in the Forum’s activities, in addition to data scientists and those interested in statistics.
