SESRIC, in collaboration with the Arab Institute for Training and Research in Statistics (AITRS) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), organised a Regional Training Workshop on the Development of International Trade Statistics to Support Policy in Arab Countries on 22-24 September 2025 in Amman, Jordan.

The three-day workshop brought together statisticians from national statistical offices (NSOs), experts from customs authorities, and representatives of relevant regional and international organisations. The programme covered methodological frameworks, data sources, classifications, and international standards for compiling and disseminating international trade statistics, with special focus on the challenges and needs of OIC Arab countries.

In his opening remarks, Mr Onur ÇAĞLAR, Director of Statistics and Information Department at SESRIC, thanked AITRS for hosting the workshop in Amman and for inviting SESRIC to co-organise this important regional event, as well as to ESCWA for their valuable contribution. He underlined that international trade statistics are foundational for evidence-based policymaking and crucial for monitoring trade performance, assessing policy impacts, and advancing regional integration.

Mr. ÇAĞLAR also highlighted SESRIC’s efforts in this field. Through the OIC Statistics (OICStat) Database, SESRIC currently hosts 1,869 indicators under 27 categories dating back to 1970, including 157 indicators specifically on international trade. Within the framework of the Statistical Capacity Building (StatCaB) Programme, SESRIC has organised 560 statistical activities since 2007, including 11 dedicated capacity building activities on international trade statistics. The most recent training course was organised jointly with the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade (ICDT) in May 2025, with the participation of 47 statisticians and experts from 14 French-speaking OIC countries.

The workshop sessions also featured hands-on training and discussions on data challenges, innovations in methodologies, and opportunities for enhanced regional cooperation. Participants benefited from the exchange of experiences and best practices, and field visits to the Jordanian Department of Statistics and the Department of Customs provided practical insights into real-world applications of trade data systems.

The event contributed to strengthening regional collaboration, improving methodological knowledge, and building the technical skills required for better integration of trade statistics into policymaking and SDG monitoring frameworks.

For more information about SESRIC’s efforts in statistical capacity building, please visit: https://www.oicstatcom.org/statcab.php

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