GCC-Stat Marks Gulf Statistics Day With Unified Data Vision Across Gulf States

The Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf marked Gulf Statistics Day on 24th December, emphasising statistics as a basis for public policy, regional integration and sustainable development. This year’s observance carried the theme "Unified Data… A Shared Gulf Vision", highlighting the importance of coordinated Gulf data systems for decision-makers and long-term planning.

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said Gulf Statistics Day offers a moment to recognise statisticians and data specialists across the region and their contribution to development agendas. Albudaiwi linked their work to better decision-making in economic, social and environmental fields, stressing that statistics support national strategies and common Gulf priorities.

Albudaiwi explained that GCC leaders had directed efforts to reinforce statistical activity as a basis for joint Gulf action. In response, the GCC Statistical Centre was created in 2011 to deliver harmonised data sets, enhance comparability between member states and provide a shared reference for regional integration and coordinated policy design.

He said official statistics are now seen as a strategic tool rather than simple counts, because they help decision-makers understand current conditions and identify future patterns. Data, viewed globally as a strategic asset, is essential for analysing economic shifts, social changes and climate impacts, as well as managing rapidly changing challenges using solid evidence.

Albudaiwi noted that this year’s Gulf Statistics Day aligns with the outcomes of the 2025 Gulf Summit in Manama. The summit’s final communiqué highlighted strengthening economic and social integration, aligning public policies, backing sustainable development and supporting shared Gulf priorities during the coming stage, all of which require reliable, unified statistics.

According to Albudaiwi, the theme "Unified Data… A Shared Gulf Vision" reflects the direction set by leaders at the Manama Summit. Unified official statistics, he said, provide the technical base for tracking implementation of summit decisions, including measuring economic integration, following diversification indicators and monitoring progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals across Gulf states.

The GCC statistical system is steadily advancing through stronger institutional cooperation and the deployment of modern technologies. These include big data tools and artificial intelligence applications that help generate statistics reflecting conditions on the ground. Such methods support sustainable development planning and allow authorities to respond more effectively to emerging regional issues and sector trends.

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Albudaiwi also highlighted the central role of statisticians and data experts in turning raw figures into useful knowledge, and then into public decisions that shape a better future for Gulf societies. The celebration featured recognition of winners of a statistical competition organised by GCC-Stat to promote statistical awareness, encourage innovation in data applications and motivate Gulf talent to use indicators in research, analysis and future foresight.

With inputs from WAM