Muscat: Mohammed Ali Al Qaed, Chief Executive of the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA), led the Bahraini delegation at the 12th meeting of the GCC Permanent Committee for Statistical Work, organized by the GCC Statistical Center, held in Oman on September 4 - 5.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the meeting was part of the GCC's efforts to enhance strategic planning in statistics, aiming to strengthen regional integration, improve statistical coordination, unify visions, and establish joint priorities for the future. Key discussions included reviewing the initial draft of the 2026-2030 GCC Statistical Work Strategic Plan and examining proposed amendments to the GCC Statistical Center's internal regulations.
Participants also focused on preparations for the GCC voluntary report, which monitors progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and plans for establishing a regional working group on population estimates. The draft budget for 2026 was reviewed to ensure the sustainability of future activities.
Al Qaed emphasized that Bahrain's participation underscores the Kingdom's support for building an integrated GCC data system. It also highlights its commitment to supporting joint GCC statistical work and efforts to develop accurate and comprehensive databases that serve sustainable development in the region.
He pointed out that projects related to population estimates and reports monitoring progress toward the SDGs are essential tools for decision-making in Bahrain and the GCC. The 2026-2030 GCC Statistical Work Strategic Plan represents a milestone in defining the future of GCC statistical work and enhancing integration between national statistical systems, supporting developmental, economic, and social trends in the GCC.
Al Qaed praised the projects implemented by national GCC statistical entities, which align with the visions and aspirations of GCC leaderships and are in line with the strategic plan. He commended the efforts of the GCC Statistical Center, which contributed to advancing the sector by providing 83 technical support activities to member states between September 2024 and August 2025, totaling approximately 946 working days.
He noted that the center's diverse areas of technical support covered national accounts, labor-force surveys, household income and expenditure surveys, health statistics, and tourism statistics. Al Qaed also highlighted that the center's committees and working groups held about 22 meetings during the same period, with the participation of 472 representatives from member states, resulting in 192 recommendations aimed at strengthening and developing joint statistical work across the GCC.