Saudi Arabia's GASTAT Elected Co-Chair Of UN Working Group On Data Governance

The United Nations has elected Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) and its President Fahad Al-Dossari, as co-chair of the Working Group on Data Governance (WGDG) under the UN Statistical Commission. This appointment highlights Saudi Arabia's growing influence in digital transformation and data governance, aligning with its commitment to global cooperation for a secure digital future.

Saudi Arabia's involvement in the WGDG aims to enhance international trust through accurate statistics that inform development policies and decision-making. This aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 goals. The working group acts as a global platform for coordinating data governance, establishing common terminology, and sharing best practices at regional and international levels.

The WGDG is instrumental in creating frameworks for organizing and utilizing data sources. These efforts promote transparency, support sustainable development goals, and develop foundational principles. By leveraging existing initiatives, the group defines global and regional data governance principles applicable to official statistics.

Saudi Arabia's membership will aid in fostering a secure global statistical environment. It will drive innovation and enable communities to maximize data value for economic and social development. The Kingdom will also contribute to drafting international data governance standards while benefiting from exchanging international practices.

This year marked the establishment of the WGDG, which recently held its first meeting. GASTAT President Al-Dossari participated as co-chair. The meeting focused on discussing the group's timeline, roles, and key tasks. These discussions are crucial for setting the direction of the group's future activities.

The Kingdom's participation will help develop initiatives that enhance innovation and cooperation among member states. It underscores Saudi Arabia's dedication to supporting global efforts in building a reliable digital future through effective data governance.

By participating actively in this working group, Saudi Arabia aims to contribute significantly to international standards and policies on data governance. This involvement reflects its commitment to advancing both national interests and global cooperation in statistical governance.

With inputs from SPA