MUSCAT – The meeting brought together the heads of Arab national statistical agencies, representatives of regional and international organisations, and members of the Board of Trustees.

The agenda covered a range of key topics, including a midterm evaluation of the Institute’s 2020–2030 strategic plan, the approval of the 2026–2027 work plan and budget, and the presentation of the results of a comprehensive performance evaluation study. Delegates also discussed notable statistical initiatives underway across Arab countries.

In his opening remarks, His Excellency Dr. Khalifa bin Abdullah Al Barwani, CEO of the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), highlighted the significance of Oman’s hosting of the meeting, noting it reflects the Sultanate’s prominent role in the regional statistical community and its commitment to advancing Arab statistical cooperation.

In his speech, His Excellency added that these meetings, which bring together heads and representatives of statistical agencies from various Arab countries, represent an opportunity to exchange experiences and explore ways to advance statistical practices in accordance with international standards, serving sustainable development in the Arab region.

Dr. Ziad Abdullah, Director General of AITRS, described the meeting as a historic milestone in the Institute’s five-decade journey of progress and innovation. “This 50th session places a great responsibility on us to keep pace with the global data revolution. We must continue to enhance our statistical training and research programs to better serve sustainable development goals across the Arab world,” Dr. Abdullah stated.

He extended his appreciation to the Sultanate of Oman for hosting and organizing the meeting, and praised the collective spirit of Arab cooperation that continues to drive forward the development of robust and integrated statistical systems in the region.

The 50th meeting also commemorates five decades of AITRS’s work in strengthening Arab statistical capacity and promoting cooperation in statistical research and training. The Institute operates as a regional organization under the umbrella of the Economic and Social Council of the League of Arab States, with a mandate to develop the statistical capabilities of Arab countries and foster regional integration in statistical fields.

This milestone meeting marks a renewed commitment to modernizing statistical systems and building national capacities, in line with evolving global standards and technological advancements in the world of data.