JEDDAH: The Sultanate of Oman is participating in an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation meeting focused on modernising statistical systems, improving economic data and developing measurable indicators for regional priorities.
The National Centre for Statistics and Information is representing Oman at the 15th session of the OIC Statistical Commission, being held in Jeddah on September 29 and 30.
The Omani delegation is headed by Dr Khalifa bin Abdullah al Barwani, Chief Executive Officer of the NCSI.
The meeting brings together representatives of statistical agencies from OIC member states, alongside regional and international organisations.
Participants are reviewing progress on resolutions adopted at the commission’s previous session and the implementation of its 2026–2030 work programme.
Discussions also cover the proposed monitoring system for the OIC’s 2026–2035 programme, including efforts to translate strategic priorities into measurable indicators supported by clearly identified data sources.
The commission is examining ways to modernise population and housing statistics through digital, interconnected systems. These include digital censuses, administrative registers, vital statistics, household surveys, geospatial information and alternative data sources.
The measures are intended to improve the efficiency of national statistical systems, support government planning and strengthen monitoring of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Delegates are also discussing the implementation of the 2025 System of National Accounts and methods for measuring the digital economy, globalisation, the informal sector and Islamic finance.
The meeting will examine challenges in developing macroeconomic statistics and improving their comparability in line with international standards.
A specialised session on the second day will focus on indicators for SDG 6, which covers access to clean water and sanitation.
It will consider how national statistical agencies can work with other organisations and use administrative records, geospatial information and household surveys to produce and verify the relevant indicators.
The programme also includes a side event organised by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics and the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries.
Oman’s participation is intended to strengthen cooperation with other national statistical agencies, facilitate the exchange of expertise and improve the quality of data used in planning and decision-making. — ONA
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
