RIYADH: Saudi Arabia was confirmed on Friday as host of the sixth edition of the UN World Data Forum in 2026, Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

The announcement was made at Friday’s conclusion of the fifth edition, held in Medellin in Colombia and attended by representatives from all 193 UN member states.

The Kingdom’s successful bid was endorsed by the High-Level Group for Partnership, Coordination, and Capacity-Building in Statistics (HLG-PCCB), recognizing Saudi Arabia’s significant progress and commitment to leveraging data for sustainable development.

Fahad Aldossari, president of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), expressed his congratulations to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their continued support.

He acknowledged their backing and the role it has played in strengthening GASTAT’s global presence and expertise, enabling it to compete on an international scale.

Aldossari noted that hosting the 6th UN World Data Forum was a testament to Saudi Arabia’s comprehensive advancements across various sectors, particularly in data and statistics.

“This forum will be an invaluable platform for sharing technical expertise, fostering partnerships with national statistical offices worldwide, and enhancing global cooperation in statistics,” he said.

He also expressed gratitude to Colombia’s government, the UN, and the National Department of Statistics (DANE) for their successful organization of the 5th forum, as well as to the HLG-PCCB and participating representatives for their dedication. 

The UN World Data Forum is a premier global event, drawing more than 20,000 participants from government bodies, national statistical offices, international and regional organizations, academia, civil society, and the private sector.

It addresses challenges in global data and statistics, fosters collaboration, and underscores the importance of data in shaping effective policies and initiatives.