SESRIC particiapted in the Annual Meeting of the Global Network of Institutions for Statistical Training (GIST) on 12 February 2024, virtually hosted from New York. The meeting brought together GIST members, the Stakeholder Advisory Board, and National Statistical Offices (NSOs) to review the achievements of the past year and to set the strategic directions and priorities for 2024, emphasizing the collective ambition to strengthen global statistical capacities.

Reflecting on its dedicated efforts of 2023, SESRIC shared its insights and experiences, particularly through its flagship Statistical Capacity Building (StatCaB) Programme, proposing an innovative approach for “Efficient and Effective Outreach”. This initiative seeks to enhance the connection and utility of statistical training efforts, suggesting the formation of a specialized task team to advance the goals initially set by the “Online Gateway and E-Learning Community of Practice”. The proposal highlighted the importance of collaborative expert pools, aligned with CSA 2.0 standards, aiming to amplify the impact of capacity building activities across NSOs and relevant ministries.

The meeting’s agenda, structured by the GIST secretariat, facilitated a comprehensive discussion on the work carried out in 2023, the priorities for the upcoming year, and the exploration of new initiatives such as the statistical literacy inventory, UN SDG:learn, and the STAT tool. These discussions underscored the network's commitment to advancing statistical training and knowledge sharing globally.

The Global Network of Institutions for Statistical Training (GIST) is a network of international and regional training institutions working together to build sustainable statistical capacities through efficient, effective, and harmonized delivery of training. As a collaborative platform, GIST fosters innovation, supports the development of cutting-edge statistical training methodologies, and promotes the integration of modern technologies in statistical capacity building. SESRIC's active participation in the GIST annual meeting signifies its commitment to enhancing the statistical capacity of OIC member countries. This involvement ensures that the unique needs of OIC countries are addressed, contributing to the overall goal of enhancing statistical capacity development and cooperation across the OIC region.