Saudi Arabia To Host 6th UN World Data Forum In 2026

Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) has won the bid to host the United Nations World Data Forum in Riyadh in 2026. According to Saudi Press Agency report, the decision was made by the High-level Group for Partnership, Coordination and Capacity-Building for Statistics for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (HLG-PCCB). 

Around 22,000 delegates from 193 countries are expected to participate in the sixth edition of the global event. Saudi Arabia has proposed the theme “Using the Latest Technologies and Methodologies to Enhance Global Statistical Systems and Enable Sustainable Development” for the forum. GASTAT President Dr. Fahad Aldossari, who presented the country's bid to the HLG-PCCB group, said in a statement that statistical data plays a vital role in driving comprehensive and sustainable development across all fields.

Dr. Fahad Aldossari also noted that winning the bid to host the UN World Data Forum in 2026 is testament to GASTAT's significant advancements in the statistical field. "The recent expansions in statistical work, driven by GASTAT's initiatives and projects, have enabled us to produce accurate and updated statistical data and indicators," GASTAT President added.