Saudi Arabia has officially received the hosting rights of the 6th edition of the UN World Data Forum, which will take place in Riyadh in 2026, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The announcement came on Friday at the conclusion of the 5th edition of the UN World Data Forum in Medellín, Colombia, which gathered representatives from 193 UN member states.
The High-Level Group for Partnership, Coordination, and Capacity-Building in Statistics (HLG-PCCB) endorsed the selection of Riyadh as a host of the next forum, in recognition of Saudi Arabia’s leadership in statistical work and the progress achieved in data and statistics, underscoring the Kingdom’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
On this occasion, the President of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), Fahad Aldossari, highlighted the unwavering support of Saudi Arabia’s leadership for the GASTAT, which contributed to boosting its local and international presence and strengthening its position as a statistical leader and competitor on a global scale.
Moreover, Aldossari noted that Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host the UN World Data Forum in 2026 is a testament to the Kingdom’s advancements across various sectors, including statistics and data. He added that the event provides an opportunity to exchange expertise and build strategic partnerships with national statistical offices from around the world.
The UN World Data Forum is a global event that brings together over 20,000 participants, representing governments, national statistical offices, international and regional organizations, civil society, academia, and the private sector. The event acts as a platform to discuss challenges facing the global data and statistics system, as well as enhancing cooperation among policymakers and experts from across the world.
The selection of Saudi Arabia to host the prestigious event emphasizes the Kingdom’s global status and pivotal role in supporting high-quality data and statistical indicators.
