Bahrain Chairs GCC Statistical Affairs Meeting

TDT | Manama | Email : online@newsofbahrain.com 

Mohammed Ali Al Qaed, Chief Executive of the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA), chaired the 14th meeting of the GCC Permanent Committee on Statistical Affairs, held remotely as part of Bahrain’s presidency of the 46th session of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Al Qaed emphasised the importance of strengthening cooperation and coordination among GCC statistical agencies to advance regional statistical work and provide accurate, reliable data that supports development planning and informed decision-making across member states.

He also praised the high level of digital and technological readiness achieved by GCC countries, noting that it has enhanced institutional resilience and strengthened their ability to respond effectively to challenges.

During the meeting, participants reviewed the activities of the GCC Statistical Centre between September 2025 and April 2026, including capacity-building programmes, workshops, seminars, training initiatives, statistical publications and the development of digital statistical platforms. The committee also followed up on the implementation of recommendations issued during its previous meeting.

Members discussed preparations for the Sixth United Nations World Data Forum, which will be hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2026, and reaffirmed GCC support for the event.

The committee further reviewed progress on the Strategic Plan for Joint Statistical Work 2026–2030, as well as a project to develop the GCC Framework for Statistical Standards and Methodologies aimed at harmonising statistical concepts and practices across member states.

In addition, the meeting examined guidelines related to the sharing of microdata with international organisations, supporting efforts to enhance statistical cooperation and data governance across the region.