The Federal Center for Competitiveness and Statistics in the UAE has established a strategic partnership with the General Authority for Statistics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This collaboration aims to enhance institutional cooperation in statistical and data fields, facilitate the exchange of best practices, and bolster future development efforts based on data strength.
Launched during the UAE’s delegation participation at the Saudi Statistics Forum 2025, the partnership seeks to develop joint programs aimed at promoting statistical culture and improving the quality of national data in alignment with international standards. This initiative is designed to support decision-makers by providing reliable data that informs policy-making and positively impacts community wellbeing.
The cooperation agreement was signed in the presence of Sheikh Nahyan bin Sif bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, the UAE Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, by Hanan Mansour Ahli, Director of the Federal Center for Competitiveness and Statistics, and Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Al-Dosari, President of the General Authority for Statistics in Saudi Arabia.
Sheikh Nahyan highlighted that this partnership illustrates the strong brotherly ties between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, demonstrating both nations’ commitment to enhancing collaboration in crucial sectors that facilitate sustainable development and promote a future vision rooted in innovation and data.
Regional Leadership
Hanan Mansour Ahli remarked, “This collaboration marks a significant step towards boosting the region’s leadership in data-driven development, reflecting our shared commitment to advancing statistical excellence, fostering innovation, and building a future where development is underpinned by data strength to serve our nations and the broader region.”
Knowledge Exchange
Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Al-Dosari underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation between statistical institutions in areas of knowledge sharing, expertise exchange, and success stories to enhance the statistical experience across the region.
He stated, “We are pleased to sign the Memorandum of Understanding between the General Authority for Statistics in Saudi Arabia and the Federal Center for Competitiveness and Statistics in the UAE, focusing on cooperation in statistical areas, which will support sharing expertise to enhance statistical operations.”
As part of the UAE delegation’s participation in the related events at the Saudi Statistics Forum, Hanan Ahli participated in a panel discussion entitled “International Statistical Methodologies and Practices,” where she emphasized the importance of statistical governance mechanisms amid the rapid global transformations in data management.
She noted that national statistical offices are under unprecedented pressure due to the significant influx of data from various sources, including the private sector, leading to considerable challenges in implementing statistical governance mechanisms.
To overcome these challenges, it is essential to develop innovative strategies that ensure coordination and integration among governmental and private entities to guarantee data protection, quality, and efficient accessibility.
She also highlighted that the UAE’s innovative statistical initiatives reflect the proactive vision of its leadership and reinforce its active role as a member of the United Nations Statistical Commission for the 2025 – 2028 period, aimed at enhancing the international statistical framework and fostering global cooperation in the exchange of innovative statistical knowledge and expertise.