Saudi Arabia to Host the 6th UN World Data Forum in 2026

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Saudi Arabia has secured the hosting rights for the 6th UN World Data Forum, set to take place in Riyadh in 2026. This announcement was made at the conclusion of the 5th UN World Data Forum, held in Medellín, Colombia, from November 12 to 15, 2024. The forum brought together representatives from 193 UN member states.

Saudi Arabia’s selection was endorsed by the High-Level Group for Partnership, Coordination, and Capacity-Building in Statistics (HLG-PCCB), recognizing the Kingdom’s robust statistical capabilities and its commitment to data-driven development. This decision highlights Saudi Arabia's role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its progress in data and statistics.

Dr. Fahad Aldossari, President of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), extended his congratulations to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. He expressed gratitude for the support provided to GASTAT, which has strengthened its local and international presence and enhanced its statistical expertise.

Dr. Aldossari noted that hosting the 6th UN World Data Forum reflects Saudi Arabia’s significant progress in various sectors, particularly in statistics. The event will be a valuable opportunity to share technical expertise, foster strategic partnerships with national statistical offices worldwide, and enhance global collaboration in statistics.

He also expressed appreciation to the Government of Colombia, the United Nations, and Colombia’s National Department of Statistics (DANE) for organizing the 5th UN World Data Forum. Dr. Aldossari reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment, through GASTAT, to improving the quality and transparency of statistical data across various fields, emphasizing the Kingdom’s leadership in the region and its role in promoting statistical excellence.

The UN World Data Forum is a major international event that attracts over 20,000 participants, including representatives from governments, national statistical offices, international organizations, civil society, academia, and the private sector. The forum serves as a platform for addressing challenges in the global data and statistics system and fostering collaboration among policymakers and experts, highlighting the critical importance of data and statistics while promoting increased cooperation across diverse data systems.