President of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) Fahad Aldossari held a series of bilateral meetings with senior statistics officials from the Republic of Indonesia, the Syrian Arab Republic, the Republic of Iraq, and the Arab Republic of Egypt on the sidelines of statistical meetings hosted in Jeddah from September 26 to 30, 2026, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The discussions, conducted under the umbrella of the Kingdom’s expanding statistical diplomacy, focused on cooperation in censuses, statistical governance, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, capacity building, and the exchange of technical expertise. The meetings underscore Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a convening power in the global data community and reflect the Kingdom’s commitment to sharing its modernization experience with partner nations across Asia, the Arab world, and the broader Islamic sphere. The sessions were held alongside a broader program of statistical meetings that brought together regional and international delegations in the Red Sea city of Jeddah, a hub for multilateral engagement and a gateway for Saudi Arabia’s knowledge-sharing initiatives.
Why does a technical gathering of statisticians in Jeddah matter to anyone beyond the confines of the data community? Because statistics today sit at the heart of how governments plan economies, allocate resources, measure progress, and earn the trust of international investors. For Saudi Arabia, which is midway through the most ambitious national transformation program in its history, the ability to produce world-class data is not a bureaucratic nicety but a strategic asset. The Jeddah meetings therefore represent far more than a calendar item: they signal that the Kingdom intends to lead the region not only in energy and investment but also in the quality and governance of official statistics. GASTAT, the Kingdom’s central statistical authority, has in recent years undergone a comprehensive modernization drive aligned with international standards, and its leadership role in Jeddah reflects that trajectory.
Context and Background
How did Saudi Arabia come to occupy such a central position in international statistical cooperation? The answer lies in a decade-long institutional transformation. GASTAT, which operates under the guidance of the Kingdom’s leadership and in coordination with relevant ministries, has progressively adopted international frameworks such as the System of National Accounts, the International Comparison Program, and the United Nations Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics. These frameworks allow Saudi data to be compared credibly with data from other economies, a prerequisite for foreign direct investment decisions, sovereign credit assessments, and multilateral development partnerships. The Jeddah meetings build on this foundation by positioning the Kingdom as a source of technical assistance rather than merely a recipient of it.
The timing is significant. Saudi Arabia is preparing to host the sixth United Nations World Data Forum in Riyadh in November 2026, a global gathering that will bring together national statistical offices, international organizations, academia, and the private sector. The invitation extended to the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) to participate in that forum, reaffirmed during Director General Zehra Zümrüt Selçuk’s meeting with Aldossari in Jeddah, illustrates how the Kingdom is weaving bilateral relationships into a broader multilateral moment. The World Data Forum is expected to draw thousands of delegates and will place Saudi statistical capabilities on display before a global audience, reinforcing Riyadh’s credentials as a hub for international dialogue and knowledge exchange.
The Jeddah sessions also took place against a backdrop of rapid technological change in the statistical profession. Artificial intelligence, satellite imagery, mobile phone data, and advanced survey methodologies are reshaping how national statistical offices measure populations, economic activity, and social conditions. Countries that fail to adapt risk producing outdated or incomplete data that undermines policy decisions. Saudi Arabia has chosen to adapt aggressively, and its willingness to share that adaptation with partners from Indonesia to Egypt reflects a broader foreign policy orientation toward South-South cooperation and Arab solidarity.
Key Details of the Bilateral Meetings
What specifically was discussed in these bilateral encounters? According to the Saudi Press Agency, the talks with the Republic of Indonesia centered on progress toward a draft memorandum of understanding between the two countries. Such an agreement would formalize cooperation in statistical methodology, data exchange, and institutional capacity building, giving both sides a predictable framework for joint work. Indonesia, as the world’s fourth most populous nation and the largest economy in Southeast Asia, represents a significant partner for Saudi Arabia, and a statistical agreement would complement existing cooperation in trade, investment, and Islamic affairs. The draft memorandum reflects months of technical discussions and is expected to be finalized in the coming period.
With the Arab Republic of Egypt, discussions covered early preparations for Egypt’s 2028 census. Egypt, the most populous Arab state, will conduct a national census in 2028, and Saudi Arabia’s experience with its own recent census cycle, which employed digital enumeration tools and advanced data processing, is directly relevant. The two sides also agreed to form a joint technical team to support combined census methodologies, a mechanism that would allow Saudi and Egyptian experts to work side by side on questionnaire design, sampling frameworks, field operations, and data validation. This is a concrete, operational outcome rather than a statement of intent, and it demonstrates the depth of the statistical relationship between Riyadh and Cairo.
With the Syrian Arab Republic and the Republic of Iraq, the discussions addressed cooperation in statistical governance, capacity building, and the exchange of expertise. Both countries have faced significant disruptions to their statistical systems in recent years, and Saudi Arabia’s willingness to share technical knowledge forms part of a wider regional effort to restore institutional capacity and support economic recovery. The meetings with SESRIC, led by Director General Zehra Zümrüt Selçuk, focused on artificial intelligence applications in statistics, digital transformation, training programs, and joint statistical projects. SESRIC, an organ of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation based in Ankara, serves as a research and training hub for statistical offices across the Islamic world, making it a natural partner for GASTAT in advancing common standards.
International and Regional Impact
How will these meetings shape the wider region and beyond? For a start, they reinforce a model of technical diplomacy in which Saudi Arabia exports expertise rather than only importing it. That shift carries diplomatic weight. Countries that receive statistical training and methodology support from the Kingdom develop institutional ties that extend beyond the immediate technical domain, creating channels for cooperation in trade, education, and investment. The joint technical team with Egypt, for example, will generate regular exchanges between Saudi and Egyptian statisticians, building personal and institutional relationships that outlast any single project.
The meetings also strengthen the position of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and its affiliated bodies as platforms for practical cooperation. SESRIC’s involvement connects the Jeddah discussions to a network of 57 member states, many of which face similar challenges in modernizing their statistical systems. By working through SESRIC, Saudi Arabia can multiply the reach of its expertise and contribute to a more harmonized statistical landscape across the Islamic world. That harmonization matters for trade, migration, and development finance, all of which depend on comparable data. In a global environment where data sovereignty and data quality are increasingly contested, the Kingdom’s approach offers a cooperative alternative to fragmentation.
From a regional perspective, the inclusion of Syria and Iraq in the Jeddah discussions signals Saudi Arabia’s continued engagement with Arab states emerging from periods of instability. Statistical capacity is a foundational element of state rebuilding: without reliable population data, governments cannot plan budgets, deliver services, or attract reconstruction investment. Saudi support in this area is therefore both technical and stabilizing, aligning with the Kingdom’s broader interest in a prosperous and secure Arab neighborhood. The meetings thus carry implications that extend well beyond the conference room.
Economic and Strategic Significance
Why should investors and business leaders pay attention to statistical cooperation? Because data quality directly affects the cost of capital. Sovereign credit ratings, equity valuations, and infrastructure investment decisions all rely on official statistics covering gross domestic product, inflation, employment, and demographic trends. When a country’s statistical system meets international standards, investors can price risk more accurately and allocate capital with greater confidence. Saudi Arabia’s leadership in promoting those standards across the region therefore contributes to a more investable neighborhood, which in turn supports the Kingdom’s own economic diversification agenda.
The strategic significance extends to Saudi Arabia’s own data ecosystem. GASTAT’s modernization has produced a stream of high-frequency indicators, digital census results, and sectoral statistics that inform Vision 2030 programs, from tourism targets to industrial development and labor market reform. By engaging with international partners, GASTAT exposes its methodologies to peer review and benefits from comparative perspectives that sharpen its own practices. The artificial intelligence applications discussed with SESRIC, for instance, could improve the speed and accuracy of data collection and analysis, feeding into more agile policymaking. In this sense, international cooperation is not a distraction from domestic priorities but a tool for advancing them.
There is also a commercial dimension. As Saudi Arabia develops its data economy, partnerships with countries such as Indonesia open opportunities for Saudi technology firms, consultancies, and training providers. Statistical modernization requires software, hardware, and human capital, and Saudi institutions are increasingly positioned to supply those inputs regionally. The Jeddah meetings therefore plant seeds that could grow into commercial relationships, consistent with the Kingdom’s ambition to build a diversified, knowledge-based economy.
Vision 2030 Alignment
How do these meetings connect to Saudi Vision 2030? The Vision’s core objectives include a diversified economy, a thriving private sector, strengthened government effectiveness, and an enhanced international standing. High-quality statistics underpin every one of those objectives. Without accurate data, economic diversification cannot be measured, government performance cannot be assessed, and international partners cannot verify progress. GASTAT’s work, including the cooperation discussed in Jeddah, directly supports the Vision’s emphasis on transparency, evidence-based policymaking, and global engagement. The Kingdom’s role as host of the sixth United Nations World Data Forum in Riyadh in November 2026 will be a visible expression of that alignment.
The meetings also reflect the Vision’s human capital dimension. Capacity building and training programs for statisticians from partner countries create opportunities for knowledge exchange, and they enhance the skills of Saudi professionals who participate in joint projects. The joint technical team with Egypt, for example, will involve Saudi experts in international work that deepens their experience and broadens their professional networks. As Saudi Arabia continues its transformation, its ability to attract, develop, and deploy world-class technical talent will be a decisive factor. By positioning GASTAT at the center of regional statistical cooperation, the Kingdom is investing in precisely that capability. The Jeddah discussions thus represent a small but meaningful step in a much larger journey toward a data-driven, globally connected Saudi Arabia.
20 Questions
Q1. Who chaired the bilateral statistical meetings in Jeddah?
A1. The meetings were led by Fahad Aldossari, President of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), who held bilateral discussions with officials from Indonesia, Syria, Iraq, and Egypt on the sidelines of statistical meetings in Jeddah.
Q2. When and where did the statistical meetings take place?
A2. The statistical meetings were held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from September 26 to 30, 2026, with the bilateral discussions reported by the Saudi Press Agency on October 1, 2026.
Q3. Which countries participated in the bilateral meetings with GASTAT?
A3. GASTAT held bilateral meetings with statistics officials from the Republic of Indonesia, the Syrian Arab Republic, the Republic of Iraq, and the Arab Republic of Egypt, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s broad regional engagement.
Q4. What topics were discussed during the Jeddah meetings?
A4. The talks focused on cooperation in censuses, statistical governance, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, capacity building, and the exchange of expertise, covering both technical and institutional dimensions of statistical work.
Q5. What is the status of the memorandum of understanding with Indonesia?
A5. Discussions covered progress on a draft memorandum of understanding with the Republic of Indonesia, indicating that the agreement is advancing through technical stages toward eventual finalization and formal cooperation.
Q6. What did the talks with Egypt focus on?
A6. The talks with Egypt covered early preparations for Egypt’s 2028 census, with both sides agreeing to form a joint technical team to support combined census methodologies and related operational planning.
Q7. What is the purpose of the joint technical team with Egypt?
A7. The joint technical team will support combined census methodologies, allowing Saudi and Egyptian experts to collaborate on questionnaire design, sampling frameworks, field operations, and data validation for Egypt’s upcoming census.
Q8. Who represented SESRIC at the Jeddah meetings?
A8. Director General Zehra Zümrüt Selçuk represented the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) in discussions with GASTAT President Fahad Aldossari.
Q9. What topics did GASTAT and SESRIC discuss?
A9. They discussed artificial intelligence applications in statistics, digital transformation, training programs, and joint statistical projects, all aimed at strengthening statistical capacity across the Islamic world.
Q10. What invitation was reaffirmed during the SESRIC meeting?
A10. The meeting reaffirmed the invitation for SESRIC to participate in the sixth United Nations World Data Forum, scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in November 2026.
Q11. Why is the UN World Data Forum in Riyadh significant?
A11. The forum will bring together national statistical offices, international organizations, and experts from around the world, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s statistical capabilities and its role as a global hub for dialogue and knowledge exchange.
Q12. How does statistical cooperation support Saudi Vision 2030?
A12. High-quality statistics underpin economic diversification, government effectiveness, and international standing. GASTAT’s cooperation supports Vision 2030’s emphasis on transparency, evidence-based policymaking, and global engagement.
Q13. What are the benefits of cooperation with Indonesia?
A13. Indonesia is the largest economy in Southeast Asia and the world’s fourth most populous nation. Cooperation would complement existing ties in trade and investment and formalize statistical collaboration through a draft memorandum of understanding.
Q14. How does Saudi Arabia assist Syria and Iraq through these meetings?
A14. Saudi Arabia shares expertise in statistical governance, capacity building, and technical training, supporting efforts to restore institutional capacity and economic recovery in both countries as part of broader Arab cooperation.
Q15. What role does artificial intelligence play in modern statistics?
A15. Artificial intelligence can improve data collection, processing, and analysis, enabling faster and more accurate statistical outputs. GASTAT’s discussions with SESRIC explored these applications for the benefit of member states.
Q16. What is GASTAT’s role within Saudi Arabia?
A16. GASTAT is the Kingdom’s central statistical authority, responsible for producing official statistics, conducting censuses, and providing data that informs government policy, economic planning, and international reporting.
Q17. How does statistical cooperation attract investment?
A17. Reliable statistics allow investors to assess risk and allocate capital confidently. By promoting international standards regionally, Saudi Arabia contributes to a more investable environment that supports its own diversification goals.
Q18. What is SESRIC’s mission?
A18. SESRIC is an organ of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation that conducts research and provides training to statistical offices across member states, promoting harmonized data standards and capacity building.
Q19. What outcomes are expected from the Jeddah meetings?
A19. Expected outcomes include progress toward a Saudi-Indonesian memorandum of understanding, a joint technical team with Egypt, and strengthened cooperation with SESRIC on artificial intelligence and training programs.
Q20. How does this reflect Saudi Arabia’s global role?
A20. The meetings demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a convening power and source of technical expertise, consistent with Vision 2030’s goal of enhancing the Kingdom’s international standing and global engagement.
Reader Feedback
We value your thoughts. Please share your feedback on this article.
Your feedback helps us improve our coverage.
Related articles
Religious Affairs Presidency Launches New Initiative at Prophet’s Mosque
SFDA CEO Backs Royal Address on Peace and Development
First Translation Association Conference Opens in Riyadh
KSrelief Delivers First-Aid Training to 81 in Port Sudan
Moderate Rainfall Hits Turaif in Northern Borders Region
Prophet’s Mosque Offers Services in 10 Global Languages