The First GCC Statistical Forum was held on 20-22 March 2017 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Government General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) and the Statistical Centre of the GCC Countries (GCC-Stat) co-organized the Forum under the theme of “Enhancing Statistical Partnerships to Support Economic Policies and Sustainable Development in the GCC Region”. The Session was attended by representatives of national and international agencies. H.E. Amb. Musa KULAKLIKAYA, Director General of SESRIC, was chairman of the session titled "Strategic Drivers in National Statistical Systems" at the Forum.

The main objectives of the Forum were as follows:

• Enhancing statistical partnerships to support economic policies and sustainable development in the GCC Region.
• Strengthen the partnerships between users and producers of statistical data and information, to support national and regional development, including new economic policies as well as the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda in the GCC Countries.
• Provide a knowledge platform to share experiences and discuss some of the major issues related to supporting development policies and measuring sustainable development.
• Provide participants with a better understanding of the following key issues:
  • The growing demand for statistical data and information, including that arising from the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda;
  • The main challenges faced by data producers;
  • The strategies and work programs put in place to provide necessary data to inform policy and decision-making and to measure progress towards achieving sustainable development goals and targets.
• Establish regular cooperation and consultation mechanisms between users and producers of statistical data and information at the national and the regional levels.

For more information, please visit http://gccsf.stats.gov.sa/en/