​H.E. The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Declares the 24th of December "The GCC Statistics Day"

H.E. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani Visits GCC-Stat at its Headquarters in Muscat-Oman. A Ministerial decision was issued last November declaring the GCC-Statistics Day During his visit to the headquarters of the Statistical Center of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC-Stat) in the Omani capital Muscat, HE Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) said that, based on the ministerial decision of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) issued during its 41st session held on the 24th of November 2016 in Manama in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the 24th of December will be observed as the annual “GCC Statistics Day”. The Support of their Majesties and Highnesses to the Statistics Sector His Excellency the Secretary General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab Gulf States asserted that observing a “GCC Statistics Day” reflects the deep interest of their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the GCC countries, may Allah protect them, in the statistics sector; a concern that shows their firm belief in the importance and necessity of statistical information for the GCC public policy-making and decision support. Statistics play a key role in the making of comprehensive development plans and programmes that aim to promote the growth, progress and prosperity of the Gulf society. The wise guidance of the GCC leaders always calls for the development of statistical work to keep up with the global progress in this field in order to strengthen GCC integration of statistical information. GCC Secretary-General Commends the Efforts of the GCC-Stat. His Excellency the Secretary General of the Cooperation Council commended the efforts of the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (“GCC-Stat”) through the vital role it plays in support of GCC joint action that aims to activate the process of integration not only in the field of statistical information but also in various aspects of development for which statistical information is a strong and necessary foundation. H.E. also praised the sincere and blessed efforts of GCC statisticians. Thanks Extended to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos - may Allah protect him - for his Support of the GCC Joint Action In his statement, the GCC Secretary-General expressed his deep thanks and appreciation to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Sultan of Oman, and the esteemed Omani government for hosting the GCC-Stat, the matter which signifies the blessed concern and substantial support given by the Sultanate of Oman to the GCC joint action. His Excellency the Secretary Briefed on the GCC-Stat Course of Action. HE Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Secretary General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, and the accompanying delegation toured the departments and sections of the center while the concerned personnel gave a brief explanation of the GCC-Stat general terms of reference and the tasks and duties entrusted to the departments. Three presentations were provided about the center’s achievements, the projects completed during the previous period and the next steps which translates the GCC-Stat’s future aspirations. HE commended the GCC-Stat achievements as well as the professional and diligent efforts he witnessed. HE the GCC-Stat Director General The GCC-Stat Director General stated that declaring the GCC Statistics Day shows appreciation for the increasing role played by statistics in the development and follow-up of economic and social policies in the GCC countries. Observing this day is also an affirmation of the importance of figures in decision support, both at the national level and regional GCC levels, and without doubt, it enhances motivation among statisticians, especially as the GCC countries are about to incorporate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) into their national plans. This step requires the compilation of SDG indicators that enable monitoring the achievement of those goals. He added that this day will be an opportunity for the GCC citizens to learn about the role of official statistics in people's lives. Al Harbi added that the ability of the GCC-Stat to support decision-makers in the GCC countries with statistical indicators, in a short period, is of paramount importance to follow the progress of the GCC joint work for the benefit of the Gulf citizen indicators. The center now also oversees a number of joint statistical projects among member states and provide exceptional technical assistance for them, in addition to providing training for GCC national statisticians. Al-Harbi further explained that the next phase will witness larger mergers among GCC organizations under the umbrella of the General Secretariat. The GCC-Stat will play a pivotal role in providing state authorities in the GCC countries with the statistics necessary to carry out their duties appropriately.