The President of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Al-Dossari, met with the President of the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat), Erhan Çetinkaya, on October 17, 2024, in Ankara. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 13th session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Statistical Commission, hosted by the Statistical, Economic, and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC).
Context and Background
The meeting underscores the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to strengthening international statistical collaboration, particularly with key partner nations like Turkey. Both GASTAT and TurkStat play pivotal roles in generating reliable data that informs policy-making and economic planning. The OIC Statistical Commission serves as a vital platform for member states to exchange expertise and enhance statistical capacities across the Islamic world.
Key Details
During the discussions, Dr. Al-Dossari and Mr. Çetinkaya reviewed the progress of statistical work in their respective countries and examined key statistical products currently being developed and released. The dialogue focused on sharing experiences and transferring knowledge to advance statistical methodologies. The meeting is part of a series of international engagements aimed at updating counterparts on the significant advancements within Saudi Arabia’s statistical sector.
International Implications
This bilateral engagement reinforces Saudi Arabia’s role as a regional leader in data-driven governance and transparency. By collaborating with institutions like TurkStat, the Kingdom promotes best practices in statistical production that benefit both OIC member states and the broader international community. Such partnerships are essential for improving global data comparability and supporting evidence-based decision-making across diverse sectors.
Vision 2030 Alignment
The meeting aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives, which emphasize the importance of reliable data and modern statistical systems to drive economic diversification, enhance governance, and improve quality of life. GASTAT’s active participation in international forums reflects the Kingdom’s dedication to building a knowledge-based economy and fostering global partnerships that support sustainable development and data transparency.
20 Questions
Q1. Who met with the President of TurkStat in Ankara?
A1. The President of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Al-Dossari, met with TurkStat’s President Erhan Çetinkaya.
Q2. What was the date of the meeting?
A2. The meeting took place on October 17, 2024.
Q3. Where did the meeting occur?
A3. The meeting was held in Ankara, Turkey.
Q4. What event provided the setting for the meeting?
A4. The meeting was on the sidelines of the 13th session of the OIC Statistical Commission, hosted by SESRIC.
Q5. What does GASTAT stand for?
A5. GASTAT stands for the General Authority for Statistics of Saudi Arabia.
Q6. What does TurkStat stand for?
A6. TurkStat stands for the Turkish Statistical Institute.
Q7. What is the role of SESRIC?
A7. SESRIC is the Statistical, Economic, and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries, which organized the OIC Statistical Commission session.
Q8. What topics did Dr. Al-Dossari and Mr. Çetinkaya discuss?
A8. They discussed the progress of statistical work in their countries and reviewed key statistical products being developed and released.
Q9. What is the main goal of the meeting?
A9. The meeting aimed to foster cooperation, share experiences, and transfer knowledge in the field of statistics.
Q10. How does this meeting benefit Saudi Arabia?
A10. It updates international partners on advancements in Saudi Arabia’s statistical sector and strengthens global collaboration.
Q11. Is Saudi Arabia a member of the OIC?
A11. Yes, Saudi Arabia is a founding member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Q12. What is the OIC Statistical Commission?
A12. It is a forum under the OIC that facilitates cooperation and capacity building in statistics among member states.
Q13. How does this meeting support Vision 2030?
A13. It aligns with Vision 2030 by promoting data-driven governance and building a knowledge-based economy through international partnerships.
Q14. What is Turkey’s relation to Saudi Arabia in this context?
A14. Turkey is a key partner nation, and TurkStat collaborates with GASTAT to enhance statistical practices.
Q15. Why is statistical cooperation important for OIC countries?
A15. It improves data comparability and supports evidence-based policy making across the Islamic world.
Q16. What kind of statistical products were reviewed?
A16. The meeting reviewed key statistical products being developed and released by both agencies to improve data quality.
Q17. Is this part of a larger series of engagements?
A17. Yes, it is part of ongoing international engagements to share experiences and advance statistical work.
Q18. How does this meeting reflect Saudi leadership?
A18. It demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s proactive role in promoting regional data transparency and statistical excellence.
Q19. What is the expected outcome of this cooperation?
A19. Enhanced knowledge transfer and improved statistical methodologies benefiting both nations and the OIC community.
Q20. When was the information about this meeting released?
A20. The information was released by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on October 17, 2024.
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