Inaugural Regional Data And Community Development Forum To Kickstart In Sharjah This October

The Department of Statistics and Community Development (DSCD) in Sharjah is set to host the first Regional Data and Community Development Forum from 9th to 10th October. This event will bring together over 100 global experts, officials, and data specialists to discuss the role of data in driving development across six key sectors.

The forum, themed "Driving Change," will take place at Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre. It will feature more than 60 activities, including 18 talks, 20 panel discussions, 24 workshops, and an exhibition showcasing innovations from over 10 entities. The focus will be on healthcare, education, infrastructure, sustainability, technology, and business.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Humaid Al Qasimi, Chairman of DSCD, emphasised the forum's significance. He stated, "Data allows policymakers to analyse patterns, predict trends, and shape a better future. Rapid digital transformation, particularly in AI, presents challenges and opportunities, making it vital for experts to share best practices to harness its full potential for the benefit of all."

In healthcare discussions, the forum will explore how AI and big data can influence wellbeing and lifestyle trends. For education, it will address how data can enhance education systems, reduce unemployment rates, and align educational outcomes with labour market needs.

Infrastructure and Sustainability

Infrastructure sessions will focus on using data for sustainable urban expansion and improving quality of life. In the sustainability sector, discussions will cover data’s role in monitoring environmental changes and disaster management while integrating AI into advanced systems.

The event aims to highlight data's potential to drive positive change by empowering decision-makers with accurate information for sustainable development. This year’s theme calls for collaboration to build communities based on precise data for informed decision-making.

Technology and Business

Technological advancements such as AI will be examined for their impact on data analysis and traditional statistical models. Discussions will also cover data privacy issues, ethical use of data, cybersecurity challenges, and strategies for businesses to leverage big data for growth.

The forum is organised in collaboration with various entities including the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the GCC Statistical Centre, the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre among others.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Humaid Al Qasimi added that the event aims to advance sustainable development goals in the UAE and the region. He said they expect actionable recommendations that would help build knowledge- and innovation-based economies while addressing unstructured global data challenges.

By bringing together stakeholders from public and private sectors including academics and experts, the forum seeks to exchange strategies and explore innovative approaches to using data for social development. The agenda is designed to raise awareness about the importance of data while enhancing professional capabilities in this critical sector.

The forum promises a comprehensive examination of how data can drive development across various sectors by drawing on regional expertise as well as international success stories from the UAE and beyond.

With inputs from WAM