Syria Assumes Presidency of Arab Institute for Statistical Training
The Syrian Arab Republic, represented by the head of the Planning and Statistics Authority, Anas Radwan Salim, participated in the 51st meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Arab Institute for Training and Research in Statistics (AITRS). The meeting was hosted by the General Authority for Statistics in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and brought together heads and representatives of statistical agencies from various Arab nations, alongside delegates from relevant regional and Arab organizations.
A significant milestone of the 51st session was the official transfer of the presidency of the Board of Trustees from the Republic of Sudan to the Syrian Arab Republic. Concurrently, the Republic of Iraq assumed the position of Deputy Presidency. This transition adheres to the established protocol of rotating the presidency among member states based on the alphabetical order of their names.
Throughout the meeting, participants engaged in discussions regarding critical files focused on mechanisms for developing statistical capabilities across the Arab region. Deliberations emphasized the essential role of training and scientific research in keeping pace with the rapid global transformations occurring within the field of statistics, particularly concerning modern technological advancements. The assembly underscored the necessity of leveraging sophisticated technical tools to enhance the quality of official statistics, thereby ensuring their effectiveness in supporting development plans and socio-economic policies within the Arab world.
The meeting in Jeddah coincided with ongoing preparations for Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the 6th United Nations World Data Forum, which is scheduled to take place in Riyadh in November 2026.
The Arab Institute for Training and Research in Statistics is a non-profit official Arab institution established in 1977 and headquartered in Amman, Jordan. Its primary mission is to build and enhance the capabilities of Arab statistical agencies and develop the skills of their human resources. This is achieved by providing a comprehensive range of training programs, specialized research, and technical consultations, as well as fostering the exchange of expertise and best practices in official statistics to support joint development efforts.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
