ar- العربية Saudi Arabia has successfully secured the bid to host the United Nations World Data Forum in Riyadh in 2026, an achievement led by the Saudi General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). This was the result of a highly competitive selection process, where Saudi Arabia was chosen by the High-level Group for Partnership, Coordination, and Capacity-Building for Statistics for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The forum is expected to attract approximately 22,000 participants from 193 countries, including experts in data science and officials from UN member states’ statistical offices. GASTAT’s president, Dr. Fahad Aldossari, presented Saudi Arabia’s bid, emphasizing the Kingdom’s advancements in the field of statistics, its track record of hosting major international events, and its ability to provide the necessary infrastructure for such a global gathering.
The theme proposed by Saudi Arabia for the 2026 forum focuses on utilizing cutting-edge technologies and methodologies to improve global statistical systems while supporting sustainable development goals. Dr. Aldossari noted that winning the bid reinforces Saudi Arabia’s growing status on the world stage, particularly under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, both of whom have shown unwavering support for the development of the statistical sector.
Dr. Aldossari further highlighted that this achievement reflects the notable progress GASTAT has made in generating precise and current statistical data and indicators. He emphasized that these efforts contribute significantly to the nation’s overarching goals of fostering sustainable development across various sectors.
The upcoming forum will gather data professionals, policymakers, and officials from UN member states, further establishing Saudi Arabia’s role in advancing the global statistical field and enhancing the quality of data collection and analysis worldwide.