Bahrain iGA Celebrates GCC Statistics Day
31 Dec 2019
Gulf government statistics organizations celebrated annual GCC Statistics Day, held under the patronage of Gulf Cooperation Council General Secretary, Dr Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani, under the theme ‘Statistics… A Partner in Innovation’. The celebration at the council’s premises in Riyadh was attended by the heads of GCC statistics organizations, as well as a number of leading experts in the field from across the region.
The Bahrain delegation was led by Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) Deputy Chief Executive, Statistics & Population Registry, Dr. Nabeel Mohammed bin Shams along with several members of iGA Statistics team.
The event included a symposium on ‘Statistics to Support Decision-Making and the Future of Statistics’, aimed at addressing future developments in the field and the knowledge required for decision-making, policy-making, and planning, monitoring and assessment. Dr. Al Zayani honored several leading statisticians for their efforts in developing the field, among them was iGA Population Census Advisor Huda Ebrahim Alshrooqi in recognition of her excellence in her field on a national level.
Dr. Bin Shams congratulated Alshrooqi on receiving the award, adding that he was proud of the talented individuals working in this field, who are essential to advancing the standards of statistics in the Kingdom.
He said that Bahrain is keen to participate in this important event, which plays a role in strengthening GCC cooperation in statistics, an essential element in improving government standards and achieving prosperity for the public. He noted that this year’s celebration highlights the role of statistics in encouraging innovation and providing accurate databases that contribute to the policies and strategies on which modern national visions are built, and through which the Gulf can achieve it aspirations.
He also praised the efforts of the GCC statisticians on the day, which is a demonstration of the importance of the field, and a catalyst for strengthening GCC partnerships in a range of areas. It is also an opportunity to show appreciation to those working in this important industry. He pointed out that this year’s theme highlights the essential role of statisticians in advancing innovation in GCC countries by giving accurate data about citizens that can be analyzed with the aim of enhancing growth and living standards, achieving greater development, and improving competitiveness.
In support of innovation, the Statistics and Population Registry Directorate completed a set of reports covering a range of fields, including population, demographic and economic statistics. The directorate has provided data to more than 50 parties, including statistics related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which have been reviewed extensively with United Nations organizations such as the Human Settlements Organization (UN-Habitat), the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). In addition to a report for the sixth SDG goal related to clean water and sanitation, completed 90% of related websites, conducted a health survey, and published waste statistics.
Also the completion of economic statistics, including the issuance of detailed reports on the most important indicators of productivity at both the sectoral and national levels. These macro-economic indicators allow for make economic comparisons, forecasts, and other analysis that aid in decision-making and quarterly adjustments to economic policies aimed at regulating economic activities.