Manama : The Kingdom of Bahrain, represented by the Information & eGovernment Authority (IGA), hosted the 49th meeting of the Arab Institute for Training and Research in Statistics (AITRS) Board of Trustees and the 16th session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) Statistical Committee.
Supported by General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Information and Communication Technology (MCICT), the events, held from October 21-23, attracted representatives from most Arab countries and over 50 senior officials and heads of statistical institutions.
Mohammed Ali Al Qaed, Chief Executive of iGA, expressed his pride in hosting these important meetings in the statistical industry in Bahrain, highlighting the government’s commitment to supporting statistical work and enhancing regional cooperation to achieve economic and social objectives.
The events facilitate the exchange of expertise among Arab countries, strengthening statistical capacities essential for developing policies and planning strategies.
Al Qaed emphasised the alignment of efforts between statistical centers and international organizations to improve the quality of statistical work in the region.
He commended the collaboration between the public and private sectors, and civil society, recognising its importance for developing national information systems and backing them with reliable data as essential tools for policymakers in driving future development plans.
Duaa Sultan Mohammed, iGA Deputy Chief Executive of Statistics and Population Registry, highlighted Bahrain’s presentation of its advancements in statistics during both events, showcasing significant improvements through key initiatives such as the upgraded Bahrain Open Data Portal (data.gov.bh). New features include data classification, real-time metadata search, web search via APIs, and interactive data previews.
The iGA also highlighted major national surveys conducted in collaboration with governmental entities such as the Consumer Price Index Survey, Household Income and Expenditure Survey, and Health Survey, along with important statistical reports such as the Foreign Trade and National Accounts Report.
These efforts underscore the value of reliable comprehensive government data in helping decision-makers formulate national policies and provide transparent data sources for researchers and the public.
The AITRS Board of Trustees meeting included the transfer of leadership from Saudi Arabia to Tunisia, along with a report on the institute’s activities and its 2024 program.
Key topics and proposed activities for the 2025-2026 work plan were discussed, emphasizing the need by statistical organizations for joint activities and reinforcing the institute’s commitment to cooperation and capacity development in Arab countries.
The 16th ESCWA Statistical Committee session involved the transfer of committee chairing from Libya to Egypt. The session also discussed several topics related to enhancing official statistics in Arab countries and reviewing the future of population and housing censuses through shared experiences.
It emphasised the use of technology and data investment for building systems that support Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Discussions also addressed closing gaps in sustainable development indicators and improving national statistical systems to better meet community needs.
The AITRS, with attendance from 17 Arab countries at its meeting, serves as a regional center for promoting comprehensive economic and social development across Arab countries. It focuses on training statistical professionals through technical training and consulting.
The ESCWA Statistical Committee, joined by 18 countries at its session, is one of five United Nations regional committees dedicated to enhancing economic and social development in Western Asia and fostering sustainability and cooperation among Arab nations.
