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Representing the iGA, Deputy Chief Executive of Statistics and Population Registry, Ms. Duaa Sultan Mohammed, participated in the third panel discussion titled “Innovation and Advancement in Statistical Methodologies.” In her remarks, Ms. Sultan congratulated to Saudi Arabia on the occasion of GASTAT’s anniversary, praising the Kingdom’s achievements in advancing statistical systems and stressing on the forum’s role in reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s visionary approach towards data culture and the contribution of statistics to sustainable development.

iGA’s Deputy Chief Executive of Statistics and Population Registry stated that the forum is a strategic platform to exchange expertise and enhance GCC statistical cooperation, reflecting a shared commitment towards enabling decision-makers with accurate and reliable data. She further highlighted that innovation in statistical work has become an essential tool in planning and evidence-based policy-development.

During the panel, Ms. Sultan showcased a range of key projects and initiatives launched by the Kingdom of Bahrain to enhance statistics through the adoption of advanced technologies. She noted the importance of utilizing remote sensing and satellite imagery to monitor environmental changes and optimize natural resource management. Among the highlighted initiatives, Ms. Duaa noted the Agriculture Statistics 2010, that has been conducted through remote sensing, as well as the Biophysical Vegetation Indictors 2020, and the 2023 Botanical Atlas, which used high-resolution satellite imagery and artificial intelligence technologies. Other projects includes the Urban Change Detection System, and Soil Mapping Project. She also noted the added value of Bahrain’s satellite “Al Munther”, launched in March 2025, in supporting statistical analysis and driving national development projects.

Ms. Sultan discussed the impact of applying advanced statistical methods, such as predictive analytics, machine learning, and time series analysis, in enhancing decision-making. She highlighted that Bahrain has implemented these techniques in several key national projects, including population census data analysis, labor market data platform development, and natural resource protection reports. These initiatives, she noted, support innovation and sustainability by providing accurate indicators that inform national planning.

Ms. Duaa also remarked the importance of statistical indicators in analyzing trends and forecasting future developments. She shared Bahrain’s experience in this area through economic and social performance indicators, tourism indicators, and the vital role of the Open Data Portal in promoting transparency and improving resource allocation efficiency.

Furthermore, Ms. Sultan showcased Bahrain’s experience in integrating biometric and behavioral information in statistical analysis, particularly through the enhanced eKey 2.0 system, which assists in detect duplicated and fraud records using biometric authentication and behavioral analysis technologies, thereby increasing public trust in digital services and strengthening cybersecurity.

In her concluding remarks, Ms. Sultan emphasized that investing in building national capabilities in the field of statistics is a fundamental pillar for any country aspiring to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development. She remarked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s leadership for its visionary support of this vital and strategic sector.

The Saudi Statistics Forum featured five main sessions covering the role of statistics in policy-making and decision-making, the development of methodologies and practices, innovation in statistical approaches, the involvement of the private sector, and integration between statistical institutions and data users to enhance the quality of life and achieve developmental goals across the region.


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