Riyadh: The Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA) participated in the Saudi Statistics Forum 2025, organized by the General Authority for Statistics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The event, held on April 27 and 28 in Riyadh, carried the theme "Statistics for Sustainable Opportunities" and marked 65 years of statistical work in Saudi Arabia. It was held under the patronage of the Minister of Economy and Planning and included the participation of senior officials and experts in the statistical field, both locally and internationally.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Duaa Sultan Mohammed, Deputy Chief Executive of Statistics and Population Registry, represented the iGA in the third panel discussion titled "Innovation and Advancement in Statistical Methodologies". During her remarks, she congratulated Saudi Arabia on the anniversary of the General Authority for Statistics, commending its achievements in developing statistical work. She valued the forum's role in reinforcing the Kingdom's vision to promote data culture and the role of statistics in supporting sustainable development.
Sultan emphasized that the forum serves as a strategic platform for exchanging experiences and enhancing Gulf cooperation in the statistical field. She highlighted the shared commitment to providing decision-makers with accurate and reliable data, noting that innovation in statistical work has become an essential tool in planning and evidence-based policymaking.
Sultan reviewed several key projects and initiatives launched by Bahrain to enhance statistics using advanced technologies. She highlighted the use of remote sensing and satellite imagery to monitor environmental changes and improve natural resource management, referencing projects such as the Agriculture Statistics 2010 project, the Biophysical Vegetation Indicators 2020 project, and the 2023 Botanical Atlas. She also mentioned the Urban Change Detection System and the Soil Mapping Project, pointing to the added value of Bahrain's satellite "Al Munther," launched in March 2025, in supporting statistical analysis and advancing development projects.
Further, she discussed the impact of applying advanced statistical methods such as predictive analytics, machine learning, and time series analysis in improving decision-making. Bahrain has implemented these techniques in major national projects, including population census data analysis, the development of the labour market data platform, and the preparation of natural resource protection reports. She emphasized that these models support innovation and contribute to sustainability by providing accurate indicators to serve national planning.
Sultan also underlined the importance of statistical indicators in analyzing trends and forecasting future developments. She presented Bahrain's experience through economic and social performance indicators, tourism indicators, and the vital role of the Open Data Portal in promoting transparency and improving resource allocation efficiency.
Additionally, she reviewed Bahrain's experience in using statistical analysis based on biometric and behavioral information through the enhanced eKey 2.0 system. This system helps detect duplicated and fraudulent records through biometric authentication and behavioral analysis technologies, boosting public trust in digital services and enhancing cybersecurity.
In her concluding remarks, Sultan emphasized that investing in developing national capabilities in the field of statistics is a fundamental pillar for any country aspiring to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development. She commended Saudi Arabia's leadership for its support of this vital and strategic sector.
The Saudi Statistics Forum featured five main sessions discussing various aspects of the role of statistics in policymaking and decision-making, development of methodologies and practices, innovation in statistical approaches, the role of the private sector, and the integration between statistical institutions and data users to enhance quality of life and achieve regional development goals.