Jeddah:The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) hosted the 15th session of the Statistical Commission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC-StatCom) on September 29-30, 2026. The event saw participation from heads and representatives of statistical agencies from member states, as well as regional and international organizations.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the session focused on advancing statistical work across member states. Discussions included modernizing population and housing statistics through digital systems, implementing the System of National Accounts (SNA) 2025, and monitoring Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators. Member states also shared their experiences in utilizing modern technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) in official statistics.

During the opening session, GASTAT President Fahad Al-Dossari emphasized the Kingdom's commitment to advancing statistical work. He highlighted the significance of using modern technologies to develop official statistics and provide reliable data for informed decision-making. Al-Dossari noted that hosting the session reflects the Kingdom's dedication to keeping pace with evolving trends and meeting growing data demands.

GASTAT also detailed the Kingdom's preparations to host the sixth UN World Data Forum in Riyadh in November 2026. Efforts include the "Road to Riyadh" activities, featuring workshops and panel discussions aimed at fostering engagement and exchanging knowledge and expertise ahead of the forum.