Syria Participates in the 17th ESCWA Statistical Committee Session
Syria’s Planning and Statistics Agency, represented by its president, Anas Selim, participated in the 17th session of the Statistical Committee of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). The event concluded in the Al Jabal Al Akhdar region of Oman.
During the meeting, Selim presented the ongoing project to develop the Syrian System of National Accounts, which is currently in its second phase. He emphasized the critical importance of modernizing the nation’s statistical mechanisms and the necessity of adopting advanced technologies to align with Syria’s national economic goals and development plans.
The three-day session addressed various vital topics concerning statistical work within the Arab region. Participants engaged in discussions regarding the development of statistical systems and the utilization of innovative data and analysis to inform policymaking processes. Key discussions also covered specialized statistical issues, including price statistics in the digital age, statistics during crises, and the strengthening of statistics related to refugees, internally displaced persons, and disasters. Furthermore, the session addressed the coordination of capacity-building efforts among member states.
The program featured panel discussions focused on improving statistical governance, the use of unconventional data sources, and the localization of information and communications technology indicators for digital development. The session also provided a platform for participating delegations to examine Oman’s experience in utilizing artificial intelligence and modern technology to conduct household income and expenditure surveys, reflecting a broader regional trend toward the digitalization of statistical operations.
The event was attended by high-level delegations, including heads and representatives of national statistical offices from across the Arab world. The gathering also included expert specialists and representatives from the United Nations and regional partner organizations, all of whom collaborated on coordinating efforts to enhance the efficiency of Arab statistical work in support of sustainable development strategies in the region.
