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DATA FOR A BETTER FUTURE
In partnership with the Ministry of Community Development and National Statistical Centers
Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2019 is Announced
- The survey covers more than 20,000 households in the country in the largest socio-economic statistical project
- The fieldwork will take one year and cover all seven Emirates
- 350 field researchers will be supported by advanced statistical tools
20 December 2018 – Dubai, UAE
The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority announced the official launch of the 2019 Household Income and Expenditure Survey at a press conference today. The announcement was made by HE Hessa bint Isa Buhamaid, Minister of Community Development and the UAE and was attended by HE Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Director General of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority. Also present at the event was HE Humaid Rashid Humaid Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the Executive Council of Umm Al Quwain, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Humaid Al Qasimi , Director of Sharjah Department of Statistics and Community Development, HE Ahmad Abdulla Al Suwaidi, Director General, Statistics Center – Abu Dhabi, HE Arif Obaid Al Muhairi, Executive Director, Dubai Statistics Center, HE Dr. Ibrahim Saad, Director of Fujairah Statistics Center, Dr Ibrahim Akoum, Executive Director, Ras Al Khaimah Center for Statistics and Studies and Mrs Hessa Zayed, Fieldwork Manager, Ajman Statistics and Competitiveness Center.
During the press conference, HE Hessa bint Isa Buhamaid announced the launch of the survey’s fieldwork that will be targeting more than 20,000 Emirati and non-Emirati families distributed across the seven emirates. Her Excellency said that the UAE family has been and will remain the focus of the Ministry of Community Development and all government agencies for decades and until this very moment. This focus, she added, will grow further in the future in accordance with the directives of the UAE leadership. Her Excellence also noted “The happiness of the UAE community and ensuring prosperity and sustainable development is the focus of our attention, which is why we work with the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority and all national statistical centers on the Household Income and Expenditure Survey Project.”
“We recognize the importance of this survey because it provides data and statistics that are an accurate reflection of the income and expenditure levels at a household level in the country. Thus, decision makers will be able to utilize the data produced by the survey to design, launch and implement various impactful social and economic programs aimed at improving all aspects of life for individuals and families such as housing, education and health; reiterating the UAE’s status as a destination for happiness and prosperity,” Added HE Buhmaid.
Her Excellency also stressed the importance of the families’ response and cooperation, “Cooperating with with the field researchers is imperative for the success of this important national project.”
HE Abdulla Nasser Lootah, expressed his excitement in launching the Household survey. “We are proud to launch the Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2019. This national project, which is being implemented over a period of one year, reflects the strong cooperation, collaboration and teamwork spirit between the Ministry of Community Development and the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority and all national statistical centers in the UAE,” he added. “This survey is regarded as one of the most importance statistical projects because of the type of data it produces. Data that is crucial for any decision makers who is seeking to develop strategic plans and initiatives that can positivity impact the lives of families in the UAE”
Approximately 350 field operators, consisting of observers, supervisors, researchers and experts spread across all emirates, will be working on the project. This number does not include the office staff providing support at the FCSA and national statistics office.
All field teams attended intensive training and are equipped with latest advanced field tools and methodologies such as geo-spatial positioning systems, mobile applications on handheld devices, and other advanced techniques and modern statistical methods to ensure accuracy and quality of results.
| Emirate | Sample Familes per Emirates | Percentage |
| Abu Dhabi | 8784 | 42% |
| Dubai | 3816 | 18% |
| Sharjah | 2304 | 11% |
| Ajman | 1632 | 8% |
| Umm Al Quwain | 1248 | 6% |
| Ras Al Khaima | 1632 | 8% |
| Fujairah | 1296 | 6% |
| Total | 20712 | 100% |
Table (1) Sample breakdown per Emirate
The survey will help extract more than 65 indicators such as the basket of goods and services, consumer price indices, cost of living index, and price indices to help assess the level, direction and structure of the economic well-being of families.
The survey also provides accurate information on the demographic, social and economic characteristics on the components of society, including gender, age, nationality, educational level, marital status, labor force, occupation, economic activity, employment status and others.
The survey helps to update the base years of statistical indicators, such as inflation rates, as the periodicity of survey implementation extends to five years, providing seasonal coverage of household income and expenditure rates.
Session taking place on sidelines of World Data Forum will discuss how traditional statistics gathering is making way for digital forms
Dubai, October 24, 2018
The impact of the data revolution on statistics gathering and fieldwork will be an issue under the spotlight at a side session of the forthcoming United Nations World Data Forum, which is being organised by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA) and takes place October 22-24 at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.
Titled Bye ‘Bye-Bye Statistics,’ the activity being presented by Saber bin Saeed Al Harbi, Director General of GCC-Stat, will examine how advances in technology are creating breakthroughs in data collection and negating the labour intensive, traditional methods for harvesting and promulgating statistics.
“We are facing a sea-change in the way data is collected, stored, analysed and disseminated, with rapid leaps forward in technology creating a fundamental shift in the way that information is gathered. The ‘Bye-Bye Statistics’ session on the side-lines of the UN World Data Forum aims to show attendees how it is now possible to do away with time-consuming fieldwork and the compiling of static tables. It will reveal the latest developments in virtual statistics and how to best utilise data acquired from sensors, satellite imagery data and GPS integrated data,” Saber bin Saeed Al Harbi
Bye-Bye Statistics will discuss the future demographic of the statistics world, which the session coordinators say will feature fewer compilers and more analytics, with those involved in the field also being younger. It will highlight how statistics will be defined by networks instead of buildings, with the work increasingly involving smart skills and machine learning. It will also examine the process of initiating change and the policies that managers responsible for data collection can adopt to ensure that their teams become enthusiastic early adopters of the new models.
“The Bye-Bye Statistics session will examine the best ways for managers to introduce these changes to bring their teams along with them. We will be examining the various stages involved in creating successful change, such as establishing a sense of urgency, creating a guiding coalition, developing a strategy, generating short-term wins and consolidating gains,” added Saber Al Harbi
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, the UN World Data Forum 2018 brings together more than 1,500 data experts, high-ranking government officials and prominent policy makers from around the world. Now in its second edition, the globally-recognised event contributes to the establishment of a scientific incubator environment to enhance the role of data and statistics in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals 2030; namely food security, health and learning.
Memorandum of Understanding will see bodies work together to meet the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals
Dubai, October 24, 2018
The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA), the UAE government body tasked with developing the UAE’s performance in data collection and in improving the country’s ranking across global indices, has announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).
Under the terms of the agreement, the FCSA will partner with SDSN – a body that operates under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary-General to mobilise global scientific and technological expertise for sustainable development – to share knowledge and resources. The specifics of the MoU relate to SDSN’s research network on data and statistics ‘TReNDS’ and the organisations’ mutual objective of providing better-quality data to monitor sustainable development.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the UN World Data Forum 2018, which was hosted by the FCSA at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai from October 22-24. The second edition of the global summit aimed at exploring ways of improving the collection and analysis of statistics to meet the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under Agenda 2030. The signatories to the agreement were H.E. Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Director General of the FCSA and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the UN World Data Forum 2018, and Jessica Espey, Senior Adviser at SDSN.
“Our new partnership with the Sustainable Development Solutions Network will see the UAE run SDG pilot initiatives when needed to support the network’s research, while the network will reciprocate by supporting the FCSA with capacity building when possible, participating in SDG-related events where feasible, and contributing to the UAE’s annual report on SDGs. We see our relationship, which will last until at least 2020, as an important step in helping the UAE meet its obligations towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals,” said H.E. Lootah.
Organised by the FCSA and held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, the UN World Data Forum 2018 attracted more than 1,500 data experts, government officials and policy makers from around the world. Following the inaugural event in Cape Town, South Africa in 2017, the successful second edition of the Forum has established the event as the preeminent global activity to discuss the role of data and statistics in achieving the UN SDGs in the areas of food security, health and learning.
- Program Celebrated its 50th anniversary at FCSA headquarters in Dubai
Dubai, October 25, 2018
The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA) has hosted the third Governing Board Meeting of the International Comparison Program (ICP) at its headquarters in Dubai Festival City, marking the first time the meeting takes place in the Middle East.
Held in collaboration with the World Bank, the meeting was chaired by Statistics Austria, the country’s federal statistical office, and follows the three-day UN World Data Forum 2018, organised by the FCSA in Madinat Jumeirah on October 22-24, bringing together more than 2,500 data experts, policy-makers, and representatives from academia, private companies and civil society organisations (CSOs) from around the world.
FCSA Director General His Excellency Abdulla Nasser Lootah welcomed the Board members to the Authority’s headquarters, congratulating them on the International Comparison Program’s Golden Jubilee. “The initiative has come a long way since 1968 and has evolved into the largest statistical partnership in the world with participation from more than 200 countries, 20 institutions and many renowned experts,” H.E. said.
“The United Arab Emirates joined the programme in 2011 and is fully committed since then to all its requirements,” H.E. Lootah added, noting that the UAE was one of the first countries to implement sub-national Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) in 2015. “We believe that the ICP outcomes are very important for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), national statistics requirements, the UAE National Agenda, and competitiveness reports,” he concluded.
"Producing regular high quality data on Purchasing Power Parities is of utmost importance for reliable international economic comparisons of countries and lies at the heart of the International Comparison Programme. Strong commitment at the highest level as we have seen it from members and observers of the ICP Governing Board in its meeting in Dubai make me confident that the currently running ICP exercise will be a big success.", says Konrad Pesendorfer, Co-Chair of the ICP Governing Board and Director General of Statistics Austria.
The attending Board members discussed the overall progress made in the implementation of the ICP’s 2017 cycle and interim activities, examined regional progress reports, and evaluated outstanding risks and mitigation measures, before concluding the meeting with preparing for the ICP 2020 cycle.
The ICP is a worldwide statistical initiative led by the World Bank under the auspices of the United Nations Statistical Commission, with the main objective of providing comparable price and volume measures of gross domestic product (GDP) and its expenditure aggregates among countries within and across regions. Through a partnership with international, regional, sub-regional and national agencies, the ICP collects and compares price data and GDP expenditures to estimate and publish purchasing power parities (PPPs) of the world’s economies.
The Governing Board (GB), meanwhile, is a strategic and policy-making body, which sets the policies that govern the production of regional and global PPPs; approves the methodology and any methodological improvements; conducts outreach to policy-makers to ensure the inclusion of the ICP in the national permanent statistical work; and helps with fund-raising at country level to increase national funding for the ICP.
Austria currently co-chairs the ICP Governing Board with India; the Board includes members from Belarus, Brazil, China, Fiji, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Suriname, and the United States, as well as from organisations such as the Asian Development Bank, African Development Bank, International Monetary Fund, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, the United Nations Statistics Division, and the World Bank. The Statistical Office of the Commonwealth of Independent States and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN_ESCWA) also serve on the Board as observers.
Dubai, October 19, 2018
The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA) hosted the meetings of the UN Global Working Group (GWG) on Big Data across an entire day. The meetings explored the five key pillars of utilising Big Data to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN’s 2030 Agenda.
H.E. Abdullah Lootah, FCSA Director General and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the UN World Data Forum 2018, opened the meetings, which discussed ways to improve the quality of statistics, strategies for addressing challenges in the Big Data sector, and mechanisms to consolidate partnerships with leading statistics entities from around the world, as well as data developers and experts on Big Data.
Ms. Heather Savory, Co-Chair of the UN Big Data Group and Director-General of Data Capacity at the National Statistical Office of the United Kingdom, said: “I would like to begin by thanking the UAE for hosting these meetings, which provide an international platform and ideal environment that enhances cooperation and partnership among all sorts of institutions and organisations. We are waiting to catalyse research and development efforts to provide secure services and applications, which, in turn, can be used to implement various projects in collaboration with leading tech companies and academic institutions. We look forward to exploring the best practices that enable the international statistics community to embrace modern technologies, improve the collection of data and utilise them to drive development and achieve SDGs locally and internationally.”
Meanwhile, Niels Ploug, Co-Chair of the UN Big Data Group and Director of the Department of Social Statistics of the Statistics Office of Denmark, said: “Independent official statistics serve both governments and the private sector, providing data about economic, social and environmental sectors. With that in mind, technology and data can help outline a clear image of the challenges that lie ahead for our society. Meeting here in Dubai is ideal to address our ability to utilise these resources and we look forward to partnering with the private sector to access its data and develop wider-reaching services.”
Mohamed Hassan Ahli, Executive Director of the National Statistics and Data Sector at the FCSA, said: “The UAE is hosting GWG’s Open Day meetings, in line with the directives of our wise leadership in supporting and encouraging innovation, benefiting from the data revolution and harnessing advanced technology to achieve strategic objectives and sustainable development plans locally, regionally and internationally.”
“Big Data is the cornerstone of optimising the use of artificial intelligence to employ cutting-edge technology in forecasting the future,” Ahli added. “Such forecasts are a key pillar of data-driven strategic planning, which is used across all UAE Government entities. These meetings will undoubtedly offer an opportunity to introduce international best practices in data and statistics across economic, social, environmental, health and educational spheres.”
The GWG meeting agenda included over five sessions showcasing the most prominent experiences and expertise in harnessing Big Data to achieve SDGs.
Session 1 highlighted the developments of the GWG’s Global Platform for Big Data and its contributions to producing official statistics. It also underlined new platforms for reliable methodologies and algorithms and monitoring of Earth’s data, e.g. Earth Observation Data, to collect and analyse data and integrate AI and machine learning applications.
Exploring agriculture and crop statistics, Session 2 shed light on the experiences of Canada, Colombia and the World Food Programme through satellite imagery data. Session 3, meanwhile, focused on assessing the movement of individuals and groups through analysing data collected from mobile electronic devices and methods of utilising such data to derive statistics on tourism, migration, daily commute and refugee movements.
Session 4 dealt with price fluctuations and their impact on the future forecast of commodity prices and spending behaviours through collecting data from bar codes, as well as from store and market reports. This while Session 5 addressed the challenges of Big Data and privacy, showcasing best practices in protecting personal data and making relevant decisions.
Around the end of the sessions, members of the GWG proposed key learnings and takeaways, which included: The need for statistics offices to modernise in order to benefit from the Big Data revolution; the necessity of optimising the insights that can be gathered from satellite imagery; tapping into machine learning and artificial intelligence; benefitting from the insight provided by data sources and technologies to improve the quality and relevance of official statistics and enable better decision-making for policymakers in the UAE and abroad.
The session underlined the importance of collaboration among the global community to achieve sustainable development in this new digital economy. This includes organising major events, such as the GWG ensure that knowledge is shared among statistics offices across the globe. The main objective from this type of event is to ensure that this is done in an open, transparent and collaborative manner. In addition to enhancing official statistics, Big Data also has great potential to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals to end poverty and hunger, ensure quality education, better healthcare and more equality, all the while addressing climate change and ensuring a better future for everyone.
The UN Global World Group for Big Data comprises 22 member countries, including the UAE, represented by the FCSA, which strives to develop national competencies and seek out the latest international technologies and experiences in government Big Data programmes and initiatives. Furthermore, the GWG aims to identify international best practices and innovation-driven initiatives in terms of official statistics, particularly the applications of Big Data.
The GWG also includes nine members of international entities, including Eurostat, the GCC Statistical Center, the International Telecommunication Union, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, the United Nations Statistics Division, and the World Bank.
Dubai, October 8, 2018
The Ministry of Interior has signed a partnership agreement with the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA) to enhance bilateral collaboration and coordination in the lead-up to the second edition of the UN World Data Forum, set to be held in Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah on October 22-24, 2018.
The Forum brings together high-ranking officials, prominent decision makers, and more than 1,500 experts and specialists in data and statistics from all around the world. The partnership agreement allows the Ministry of Interior to showcase the latest successes achieved in the police and security sector through a data-centred approach.
The agreement was signed at the Ministry’s headquarters by His Excellency Lt. General Saif Abdullah Al Shafar, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, and H.E. Abdullah Nasser Lootah, FCSA Director General and Chairman of the Forum’s Organising Committee, in the presence of Brigadier General Mohammed Humaid bin Dalmuj Al Dhaheri, Acting Secretary-General of the Office of the Minister of Interior, and a number of FCSA officials.
The agreement is in line with both entities’ efforts to promote cooperation among institutions across the UAE to better serve the community and establish the UAE as an example to be emulated around the region and the world, all the while highlighting the country’s credentials as a prime destination for major international conferences and events.
H.E. Lt. General Al Shafar noted that signing this partnership agreement with the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority reiterates the Ministry’s commitment to supporting events and initiatives revolving around statistics in general, and the activities of the UN World Data Forum 2018, in particular, which is a notable event for the international statistics sector.
The Lt. General went on to note that the Ministry, under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Interior, is committed to building excellent relationships with entities across the UAE and facilitating the exchange of knowledge and expertise among them. This, in turn, catalyses sustainable development, ensures safety and security, and helps provide advanced services.
For his part, H.E. Abdullah Nasser Lootah said: “We are happy to be collaborating with the Ministry of Interior to harmonise all efforts and ensure the UN World Data Forum 2018, held in the UAE, is a resounding success. This partnership also echoes our dedication to strengthening partnerships with all stakeholders across the UAE to ensure sustainable development, secure the country’s spot at the top of international competitiveness indexes, and highlight its role in fostering collaboration to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
“This partnership is an important step forward; it supports all the efforts to create a massive, centralised database for the UAE – the first of its kind in the world – firmly establishing the country as a global leader in embracing data as a key ingredient in sustainable development,” H.E. Lootah added. “It allows us to benefit from expertise, explore best practices, build national capacities, and utilise advanced technologies to mine accurate data and use it as a foundation upon which to build a better future for coming generations.”
The agreement stipulates that the two parties are to cooperate and provide all resources necessary to support the world-leading Forum that examines the role of data in accomplishing the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda. The two entities will also benefit from the Forum’s discussions and takeaways to empower national talents and hone their statistical skills. Held under the aegis of the United Nations, the World Data Forum brings together prominent data producers and consumers to launch initiatives that improve available data on health, education, income, the environment, and climate, among other areas of interest for sustainable development.
Dubai, October 3, 2018
The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA) organised a panel discussion titled “Data and Artificial Intelligence: An Active Role in Building the World’s Future” as part of the “Data for a Better Future for Humanity” series in the lead-up to the second UN World Data Forum, set to be held in Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah on October 22-24, 2018.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, the Forum brings together high-ranking officials, prominent decision makers, and more than 1,500 experts and specialists in data and statistics from all around the world.
Her Excellency Sarah bint Yousif Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Sciences, attended the session, along with H.E. Abdullah Nasser Lootah, FCSA Director General and Chairman of the Forum’s Organising Committee; while H.E. Ohood Ali Abdullah Al Shuhail, Director-General of Ajman Digital Government; and Eng. Bashar Kilani, Region Executive, IBM Middle East, participated in an interactive discussion with officials from statistics centres, universities and youth councils around the UAE, debating how data affects the use of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly with regards to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) locally and internationally.
H.E. Sarah Al Amiri asserted that the UAE, guided by the forward-thinking vision of its wise leadership, has espoused a proactive approach, tailored to the requirements of the Government of the Future and rooted in data as a fundamental component in decision making. This is in line with the UAE’s quest to establish its lead in various sectors and find solutions for all challenges, particularly those with direct impact on the lives of individuals and society.
“Data is the cornerstone of knowledge; and knowledge is the driving force behind positive change,” H.E. added. “With that in mind, the optimal utilisation of data and scientific research will play a key role in establishing a developed ecosystem that embraces advanced science and technology to upgrade key services and provide a better life and brighter future for all members of the community.”
“We, at the Office of the Minister of State for Advanced Science, prioritise data, research and statistics, which, we believe, play an immense role in ensuring the optimal use of advanced science and research, as per the objectives of the National Advanced Sciences Agenda 2031,” H.E. Al Amiri noted. “The Agenda seeks to establish a conducive environment to help achieve the objectives of the UAE Centennial 2071 Plan, by placing science and technology at the disposal of sectors and establishing a comprehensive database to help identify the most important challenges and create solutions to address them.”
The Minister of State for Advanced Science concluded by asserting the importance of promoting scientific research, guiding the youth, and empowering them to remain aware of advanced sciences in order to ultimately build a generation of distinguished Emirati scientists and achieve further success to reflect the best possible image of UAE youth.
For her part, H.E. Ohood Ali Abdullah Al Shuhail said: “The Ajman Government is working to build a robust database in collaboration with all Government entities and according to the Ajman 2021 vision, which, in turn, aims to achieve the UAE leadership’s vision to build a better future for our societies and coming generations.”
“Processing data through advanced technologies is fundamental for adopting artificial intelligence,” H.E. Al Shuhail continued. “With that in mind, we consider the community to be a key partner in supporting Government entities by providing the necessary data to upgrade Government operations, while the private sector’s cooperation is paramount to build a comprehensive data ecosystem that facilitates forecasting future challenges and formulating adequate solutions for them.”
“Having realised the importance of these advanced technologies early on, the UAE appointed a Minister of State for Advanced Science to the Federal Government and proceeded to work on a National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence that echoes the 2021 Advanced Science Strategy and intersects with four of its main themes in nine key sectors,” H.E. explained.
Al Shuhail noted that the Ajman Digital Government emphasises developing technological skills among young generations and to that end, it has launched a series of initiatives, collaborating with Sandooq Al Watan and other entities to launch “Emirati Coder” to train 260 students in programming and robotics. The Ajman Digital Government also collaborated with Dark Matter Group’s educational arm, Ajyal Talent Management, to introduce four new courses to the curriculum at Ajman Academy as a prelude to implementing them in schools across the emirate.
Meanwhile, Eng. Bashar Kilani began by identifying artificial intelligence as a concept, which consists of using machines to simulate human intellect, noting that the first recorded implementations of this advanced technology emerged in the 1950s and 1960s in the form of devices that analyse voices and images. With the data revolution, these technologies made their way to other areas, such as analysis, machine learning and reading.
“The successful implementation of these future technologies relies on accurate data to support decision making,” Kilani said. “Data plays a pivotal role in improving performance and customer satisfaction, increasing companies’ bottom lines, and helping employees hone their professional skills by automating repetitive tasks and allowing them to shift their focus on more important duties.”
Kilani noted that the emergence of these advanced technologies will create new jobs on the market, where two-thirds of jobs in the future are expected to be completely new, while automation and robots will take over 80% of human tasks. The IBM Region Executive cited examples where this is already happening, such as in bank transactions, self-driving vehicles and drones.
“Data is the oil of the future, and we are on the cusp of great growth in the sector and the proliferation of related professions, such as data scientist. There will be increasing demand for data scientists in engineering, data scientists in medicine, etc.” Kilani concluded. “The UAE will lead the way in utilising this data to improve performance across key sectors and maintain the UAE’s steady rise on international competitiveness indexes.”
The UN World Data Forum 2018 is the most important international gathering of data and statistics in the world. It contributes to the establishment of a scientific incubator environment to enhance the role of data and statistics in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, namely food security, health and learning.
Taking place over the course of three days, the UN World Data Forum receives support from major strategic partners, namely: The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFA); the Ministry of Interior (MOI); GCC Statistical Center (GCC-STAT); the Smart Dubai Office (SDO); Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA); Dubai Statistics Center (DSC); DP World; Abu Dhabi Ports; Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi; Sharjah Department of Statistics and Community Development (DSCD); Fujairah Statistics Centre; and the General Secretariat of the Executive Council in the Emirate of Umm Al Quwain.
Dubai, September 3 2018
The UAE’s National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which includes 17 federal entities, recently held its third meeting for 2018, primarily discussing preparations for the upcoming second edition of the UN World Data Forum, set to be held in Dubai on October 22-24, 2018.
The meeting was attended by Her Excellency Hessa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development, and H.E. Jameela Al Muhairi, Minister of State for Public Education, both of whom applauded the Committee for its efforts and preparations for the Forum, stressing the necessity of ensuring governance when implementing SDGs and of harmonising efforts among Committee members, as per the directives of the UAE’s leadership. Their Excellencies reiterated their support for the member entities’ efforts to provide the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA) with accurate and current data.
“This Committee was formed in 2017, and in its one year and eight months of existence, it has registered outstanding achievements,” said H.E. Buhumaid, expressing her delight at the fact that the representatives of the 17 member entities are young Emiratis with great enthusiasm to serve their country.
For her part, H.E. Al Muhairi said: “We all work together to promote our country and continuously enhance its international standing in terms of sustainable development, and the UN World Data Forum presents an ideal platform to showcase our national achievements. The UAE has progressed from 77th place to 60th on the SDG Index; this is testament to the exceptional leadership of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Thanking Their Excellencies the Ministers for their attendance and contribution to the meeting, H.E. Abdullah Nasser Lootah, FCSA Director General and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the UN World Data Forum 2018, said: “Our work with the member entities of the Committee centres around the National Agenda’s metrics, which, in turn, offer the necessary support to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals 2030. Furthermore, we concentrate on data and statistics, which are essential for driving success at the Government level till 2021 and beyond.”
The 17 Committee members were thoroughly introduced to the upcoming UN World Data Forum (www.unwdf.ae) set to be held in the UAE under the theme “Better Data for Better Generations”. The event will be hosting more than 80 sessions that feature over 100 speakers from all around the world.
The team organising the Forum reiterated its potential as a platform for forging international partnerships and closer relations with the private sector – a key step for implementing SDGs. The meeting then moved on to a case study on DP World and its progress in achieving SDGs locally, regionally and internationally.
On the same note, the team outlined the progress made with regards to the Global Leadership Councils for SDGs initiative, announced at the World Government Summit, where work is underway to expand these Councils.
The National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals holds periodic meetings at the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority’s headquarters in Dubai.
Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority and Mastercard Sign Memorandum of Understanding
Dubai-UAE, 30 May 2017
The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA) has signed a MoU with Mastercard, a leading technology company in the global payments industry. The MoU aims to provide both parties with a strategic platform for the exchange of expertise and knowledge, especially in the areas of data and statistics, including big and open data in the UAE.
The agreement was signed by H.E. Abdullah Naser Lootah, Director General of FCSA, and Mr. Khalid Elgibali, Division President, Middle East and North Africa at Mastercard. The two parties agreed to explore various strategic opportunities to develop a joint framework aimed at enhancing capacity in the fields of data and knowledge products and services related to diverse sectors, such as retail, tourism and trade in the UAE. Furthermore, the two parties will examine and analyze purchase patterns and spend behavior, together with the identification of opportunities for the public as well as the private sectors to provide locals and residents with better services and products in view of the increasing demand for such solutions and seasons of high purchasing volumes.
H.E. Abdullah Naser Lootah pointed out: "We are constantly working to further enhance the national statistical ecosystem with all our stakeholders locally and internationally. This lies at the heart of our strategy and endeavors to enhance the UAE’s international competitiveness. I believe there is a great opportunity for the private sector to play a major role in the development of the national statistical system. We are looking forward to Mastercard’s extensive experience and innovation in the area of big and smart data."
Khalid Elgibali shared: "Mastercard has always been keen to establish effective strategic relationships and partnerships with the government sector. We are pleased to sign this MoU with a leading government institution such as the FCSA, with whom we share a common vision and goals for the greater empowerment of societies through the power of big data and by leveraging technologies that will contribute towards positive transformation in the local economy."
As part of its mandate, FCSA aims to create a world-class national statistical system by adopting global standards and expertise, and deploy advanced and innovative technological solutions. "The involvement, cooperation and collaboration of the private sector is fundamental for the success of this collaboration. We look forward to the outcomes of this partnership with Mastercard," concluded H.E. Lootah.
Dubai, August 20, 2018
The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA) announced the signing of a strategic partnership agreement with Abu Dhabi Ports. The agreement is aimed to support the United Nations (UN) World Data Forum 2018, which will be hosted by the FCSA in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in October this year.
The official partnering ceremony was held at the FCSA headquarters in Dubai, with the agreement signed by HE Mohamed Hassan Ahli, Executive Director of the National Statistics and Data Sector at the FCSA and Abdullah Humaid Al Hamli, Executive Vice President of Corporate Support at Abu Dhabi Ports, in the presence of senior officials from both parties.
"Effective, efficient and accurate data collection improves the performance and efficiency of the logistics sector. It is a vital contributor to sustainable economic development as it leads to the formulation of long-term plans and strategies that support transport and shipping. As well as strengthening the logistics sector’s role as a vital resource for local economies, it is a key factor in maintaining the UAE’s leading position on global competitiveness indicators,” said HE Abdullah Nasser Lootah, FCSA Director-General and Organising Committee Chairman of the UN World Data Forum 2018.
“The participation of Abu Dhabi Ports in the United Nations World Data Forum is of particular importance as it contributes to highlighting the UAE’s achievements in the use of statistical data and information. The organisation’s inclusion places a spotlight on the development of the UAE’s world-class port sector and showcases its role in meeting the growing demands of maritime transport and logistics," he added.
Mr. Abdullah Humaid Al Hamli, Executive Vice President of Corporate Support at Abu Dhabi Ports, reiterated that the signing of the agreement with the FCSA was in line with the directives of UAE’s wise leadership to encourage all parties to strengthen cooperation to achieve the goals and aspirations of UAE Vision 2021.
“Hosted by the UAE, the United Nations World Data Forum 2018 is a strategic event for government and private entities, universities and experts from around the world, to increase awareness of the UN’s 2030 SDGs. Abu Dhabi Ports is proud to support the forum, which confers numerous benefits to companies and institutions from the public and private sectors, as well as individuals involved in the field of data," Al Hamli said.
HE Mohamed Hassan Ahli, Executive Director of Statistics Data at the FCSA, said: "Data and statistical information are fundamental building blocks that contribute to the development of SDGs, which meet the current and future needs of societies. The United Nations World Data Forum 2018 is a premium platform that promotes the exchange of ideas on the best ways to implement modern technologies and to benefit from the collection of data, statistics and accurate information to achieve SDGs at the local, regional and global levels.”
The agreement was signed to strengthen cooperation frameworks and activate joint action for the forum, which will see the participation of government leaders, policy decision-makers and more than 1,500 global experts and specialists in the field of data and statistics. The world’s most prominent gathering in its field, the UN World Data Forum examines how to improve upon data collection and analysis to achieve the UN’s 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The UN World Data Forum 2018 is the world’s most prominent international gathering of data and statistics experts and acts as a scientific incubator to enhance the contribution of data and statistics to the achievement of the 2030 SDGs. The event provides an ideal opportunity to build a broad network of relationships with prestigious corporations, institutions and universities, as well as experts, specialists and data leaders from around the world.
Muscat (May 2017):
Source: NCSA ,Sultanate of Oman,
The National Center for Statistics and Information (NCSI) received on Sunday (May 21) a delegation from the Federal Authority for Competitiveness and Statistics in the United Arab Emirates. The delegation learned about the role played by the Center in enhancing statistical knowledge in the Sultanate, and the features of the national spatial data infrastructure (ONSDI).
The delegation reviewed the Sultanate’s experience in executing statistical projects, and the effective use of data to achieve sustainable development goals through the various programmes and strategies developed and executed by the National Center for Statistics and Information.
The delegation appreciated NCSI’s role as a provider of accurate and timely data to decision makers and stakeholders so as to support national development plans and formulate future vision plans for the Sultanate. They also learned about the services provided by the Centre to the different segments of society ranging from governmental institutions to individuals.
In an interaction, Mohammed Hassan Ahli, the Executive Director of Statistics and National Data at the Federal Authority for Competitiveness and Statistics, UAE, noted that one of the strategic objectives of the Authority is to coordinate with various statistical bodies and centers as well as international organizations interested in statistics to offer quality statistics to stakeholders. The authority is in constant contact with the statistical centers in the Gulf countries and outside in order to exchange meaningful experiences and develop competency, he said.
He commended the strategy adopted by the National Center for Statistics and Information that is focused on transforming data into information and knowledge, which is made easily available to decision makers and all sections of the society. He also highlighted the Center’s efforts to promote statistics through various periodic statistical publications and multiple media platforms such as traditional and digital media including social media as well as smartphone applications.
What distinguishes NCSI is its dissemination of crucial data in an analytical way using simplified tables and charts that are easy to understand and interpret, he said, adding the awareness videos and presentations produced by the Centre hold great value.
Statistical agencies and their projects are mandated to provide not just data but meaningful analyses that highlight the state of economy, investments and trends of the times through economic indicators, he said, and noted that NCSI has been successfully undertaking this responsibility.
He also appreciated NCSI’s smartphone applications for the banking and fuel customers, developed using spatial data.The Center’s excellent communication links with the community as well as its strong presence in almost all local events such as the Salalah Tourism Festival need to be recognized and emulated, he added.
The visiting delegation watched NCSI’s presentations on various topics and projects including the Center’s initiatives to build and manage an integrated national-level social and economic information system designed to enhance the quality of information, and the promotional methods used to market its various products, and enhance media presence.
The delegation got to know about the Center’s work in the fields of governmental and international communication and the e-links with data sources and dissemination of data through various media platforms, and appreciated the Centre’s Information Portal that acts as a reliable source of information for all segments of society including public and private sector institutions, researchers and other interested parties.
The program also reviewed NCSi’s methods of collecting and processing statistical data and indicators, as well as tools to deal with requests for statistical data from various quarters.
The delegation was also briefed about the Centre’s action plan in employing GIS technologies.
He thanked the National Center for Statistics and Information for hosting the delegation, which allowed the Federal Authority for Competitiveness and Statistics to review the Sultanate’s experience in the statistical work.
Memorandum supports UN World Data Forum 2018 to be held in Dubai this year
Dubai August 6, 2018
The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA) has signed a partnership agreement with the Statistical Centre of the Gulf Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC-Stat), as it prepares to host the second UN World Data Forum in the UAE on October 22, 2018.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) took place at the Authority’s headquarters in Dubai, with His Excellency Abdullah Nasser Lootah, FCSA Director General and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the UN World Data Forum 2018, and H.E. Saber bin Saeed Al Harbi, Director General of GCC-Stat, as signatories. Attending the ceremony were a number of dignitaries and officials from both sides.
“This MoU is a tangible result of the wise leadership’s directives to build bridges of cooperation between the UAE and the GCC. The agreement outlines the framework of collaboration that will enhance the UAE’s readiness to host the UN World Data Forum 2018, which seeks to achieve the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda), not only in the UAE but also across the region and the world. The effort to bring together local and regional organisations to work together reflects our commitment to producing a premium platform for the forum – one that befits such a prestigious global event,” said H.E. Abdullah Nasser Lootah.
For his part, H.E. Saber bin Saeed Al-Harbi explained that the agreement is a confirmation of GCC-Stat’s commitment to supporting initiatives and events related to statistics, in general, and the UN World Data Forum 2018, in particular. He described the MoU as one of the most important to facilitate a global platform for seamless Gulf-wide statistical work, and one that stands to benefit all related stakeholders in the region.
Dr Fahad Bin Sulaiman Al Tekhaifi, President of the General Authority for Statistics (GaStat), asserted that the forum brings together leaders, decision makers and experts in the field of data science and statistics, as well as data producers and users from around the world. He reiterated that it represents an ideal opportunity to highlight the most important topics and introduce the latest technologies related to statistics in an interactive environment that endorses the exchange of information and ideas, as well as promotes innovative initiatives aimed at strengthening the capacity of participating states to harness data and statistical systems, and implement the 2030 SDGs globally.
“We are delighted to join hands with the UAE and to support it with the hosting of the UN World Data Forum 2018. This joint venture will help ensure the success of the 2018 Forum – an event that will enhance the position and stature of GCC statistics agencies globally,” said Othman Abdullah Al-Othman, Acting General Director of the Central Statistics Bureau and Assistant Undersecretary for the Statistics Sector, Kuwait.
“The collation of accurate statistical data is a fundamental pillar for the development process, as it provides indicators that play a pivotal role in decision-making, planning and the preparation of economic, social and environmental policies. Strong and effective statistical systems are vital to generate the large amount of data that is required to plan effective policies that cover all aspects of community activity,” he added.
Al Othman highlighted the importance of hosting major statistical platforms such as the UN World Data Forum, as it reflects the GCC countries’ support to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), facilitating partnerships between GCC, regional and international organisations. This, he said, leads to the enhancing of cooperation between users and producers of statistical data and improves the effectiveness of economic and development policies at the national, regional and international levels.
“Through the UN World Data Forum, we look forward to addressing important issues, such as national capacity-building and financing, improving data collection, integrating non-traditional sources of data and reviewing the progress of the Cape Town Global Plan of Action for Sustainable Development Data, which was agreed upon at the first World Data Forum. By addressing challenges in global data collection and collation, we can examine the solutions that will enable us to meet the 2030 Agenda,” Al Othman concluded.
Dr Nabeel Mohammed Shams, Deputy CEO, Statistics & Population Registry in Bahrain, stressed the importance of this Forum as it brings together the leading producers and users of data from around the region and the world, which will endorse global efforts in launching innovative initiatives that improve the quality of data generated on health, migration, refugees, education, income, environment, human rights and other core areas of sustainable development.
“The UN World Data Forum is an important gateway to exploring innovative approaches to applying data and statistics in measuring progress globally. It provides an ideal platform to launch initiatives and solutions that will provide better data for all by sharing experiences that will enrich discussions and improve the use of data in sustainable development,” said Dr Shams, who praised the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority for its efforts to host the event.
Dr Khalifa bin Abdullah bin Hamad Albarwani, CEO of the National Centre for Statistics and information, Oman, noted that the Sultanate has placed great emphasis on statistics since the very beginning of the renaissance sweeping across the country, under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, by virtue of its great role in decision and policy making.”
“The UN World Forum 2018 is a great event, and one we can count on to discover innovative ways to utilise data and statistics to quantify international progress,” he added.
The second edition of the UN World Data Forum 2018 will provide an opportunity to network with organisations, companies, institutions, universities and experts from all over the world, all the while promoting the 2030 Agenda. With global leaders in data and statistics attending, along with a large number of officials from government and business sectors, the forum is expected to receive wide media coverage from various local, regional and international media agencies.
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