"Statistics: Importance of Strengthening the Resilience and Crisis Response Capacity of National Systems"
The Central Statistical Organization emphasized the importance of strengthening the resilience and crisis response capacity of national systems, and developing tools for producing official statistics in line with technological advancements and the needs of policymakers. This was stated by Mohammed Al-Rashidi, Director of Commercial, Agricultural, Services, and Environmental Statistics at the Central Statistical Organization, following his participation in the 17th session of the Statistical Commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), which concluded its proceedings in the Sultanate of Oman with the participation of heads and representatives of Arab statistical offices and agencies.
Al-Rashidi noted that the Commission, at the conclusion of its sessions, recommended expanding the use of modern technology, artificial intelligence, and non-traditional data sources in the production of official statistics. He highlighted the adoption of a recommendation to establish the “Muscat Team,” focused on applying artificial intelligence techniques in the Household Income and Expenditure Survey, and leveraging Oman’s experience in this field.
He praised the Omani experience in utilizing artificial intelligence to implement the Household Income and Expenditure Survey, noting that modern technologies offer significant potential to enhance data collection, processing, and analysis, improve result quality, and accelerate the issuance of statistical indicators.
He clarified that the Commission’s meetings addressed several files related to the development of statistical work in the region, including data governance, modern technologies, non-traditional data sources, information and communication technology statistics, digital development, and price statistics in the digital era.
Al-Rashidi stressed the importance of developing administrative records, improving data quality, and enhancing comparability, thereby supporting the production of modern and reliable statistics that help policymakers formulate evidence-based policies.
The session also discussed the role of innovative data and analytics in supporting policy-making during crises, strengthening statistics related to refugees, displaced persons, and disasters, as well as coordinating efforts to build statistical capacities in national offices.
Participants reviewed the outcomes of the 56th and 57th sessions of the UN Statistical Commission, as well as the results of evaluations of previous ESCWA Commission sessions, alongside priorities for regional cooperation and technical assistance among statistical agencies.
Al-Rashidi underscored the importance of exchanging expertise and experiences between Arab statistical agencies and international organizations, and of joint efforts to build national capacities and develop modern, sustainable statistical systems capable of responding to changes and crises.
