MUSCAT: Jasim bin Mohammed al Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), presided over celebrations marking Gulf Statistics Day. The event, organised by the GCC Statistical Centre, was also attended by Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidi, Oman’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.
This year’s celebration was held under the theme “Future of Statistics Towards Sustainable Gulf Development,” reflecting the critical role statistics play in supporting developmental efforts by providing reliable data and indicators for decision-makers and assessing developmental achievements.
In his remarks, the Secretary-General affirmed that celebrating Gulf Statistics Day highlights the strong attention given by the leaders of GCC countries to the statistical sector, recognising the vital role of statistical information in shaping public policies, supporting decision-making, and developing comprehensive plans and programs that foster the growth and prosperity of the Gulf society.
He affirmed that the GCC highly values the essential role played by the GCC Statistical Centre in providing vital statistical information across various developmental fields. The centre has successfully supported decision-makers in GCC countries with crucial indicators to track joint Gulf progress, benefiting Gulf citizens. Additionally, the centre has implemented programmes to support national statistical efforts, monitor the implementation of resolutions, and conduct studies to measure the Gulf Common Market, in collaboration with national statistical centres across the GCC.
Al Budaiwi highlighted that the next phase of joint Gulf cooperation calls for an evaluation of achievements using accurate and reliable performance indicators to move forward with future visions. Here, the importance of joint statistical work and its outputs emerges as a key enabler in assisting decision-makers across various sectors to analyse and make informed decisions.
Intisar bint Abdullah al Wahibiah, Director General of the GCC Statistical Centre, stated that this annual event underscores the importance of statistics in shaping a brighter future for GCC nations and their people. Reliable data and information play a significant role in implementing sustainable development initiatives and highlighting the scope of Gulf cooperation in enhancing citizens’ well-being.
She added that Gulf Statistics Day is not merely an occasion but a moment to reflect on the tangible progress achieved by the GCC in various fields. Over the years, the GCC statistical framework has accumulated experiences and expertise, positively impacting development efforts across member states. The GCC Statistical Centre continues to prioritise statistics as a foundational tool for development and a reliable source of data for GCC countries.
Al Wahibiah highlighted that since its establishment in 2013, the GCC Statistical Centre has developed a comprehensive statistical system aimed at building and strengthening the statistical and institutional capacities of member states. This has led to sustained improvements in the quality and quantity of statistical outputs through collaborative programmes and harmonisation of national statistical strategies with international best practices. The centre also focuses on publishing and disseminating statistical data effectively.
The GCC Statistical Centre has outlined a roadmap for Gulf statistical work, emphasising critical areas such as population, social and economic statistics, environmental and energy sectors, tourism, methodologies, data quality, and sustainability indicators. These efforts aim to support current and future Gulf projects by providing decision-makers with vital knowledge.
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