The United Nations Statistical Committee has selected the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for membership in the Advisory Board on Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics. This is a significant achievement, the first of its kind in the region, confirming the growing global confidence in the UAE's leadership in developing statistical systems and enhancing data governance internationally.
The selection of the UAE for the board was announced during the country's participation in the 57th session of the United Nations Statistical Commission, held in New York from March 3 to 6. This is the largest international gathering of experts in statistics and data science, attended by heads and directors of statistical agencies and data centers from around the world, as well as academics, experts, and consultants from United Nations bodies and international organizations.
The UAE's selection to the Advisory Board marks a significant milestone in its international leadership, especially following its election to the United Nations Statistical Commission for the period 2025–2028. The UAE has become the only Arab country in the commission, a historic precedent since its establishment in 1946.
The UAE delegation included government leaders from the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center, the Sharjah Statistics and Community Development Department, and the National Committee to Combat Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism and the Proliferation of Weapons.
The Advisory Board, launched to translate the outputs of the previous session of the United Nations Statistical Commission, is a high-level United Nations mechanism dedicated to strengthening global commitment to the fundamental principles of official statistics. This enhances the reliability, transparency, and independence of data amidst rapid transformations in the global data landscape. The board brings together an elite international group of senior experts and specialists in official statistics, including five members from the United Nations Statistical Commission throughout their tenure. This ensures a direct institutional link with United Nations decision-making mechanisms and enhances the integration of technical and strategic roles.
The board's priorities focus on establishing the fundamental principles as a reference framework for national statistical systems and promoting their adoption through a high-level strategic international dialogue. It also supports the readiness of national systems to adapt to digital transformations, including big data management, the use of artificial intelligence technologies, and the integration of data sources. Additionally, the board contributes to the development and formulation of future statistical standards and practices, which boosts global confidence in official statistics and aligns with the evolution of the international data environment.
Hanan Mansoor Ahli, Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center, welcomed the UAE's selection to the Advisory Board, confirming that the UAE government will work through its membership to support the practical application of the fundamental principles of statistics. This will be achieved by sharing its experience in data unification and enhancing the quality of official statistics, as well as contributing to the development of governance frameworks that align with the digital transformation and ensure the responsible and secure use of technology. The board will also foster cooperation and capacity building through knowledge exchange, contributing to establishing a more integrated, flexible, and future-ready international statistical system that supports the achievement of sustainable development goals.
Ahli added that the UAE's participation in the 57th session of the United Nations Statistical Commission, amidst its membership for 2025–2028, embodies its commitment to developing a national statistical system based on reliability, governance, and integration. The UAE aims to transform official statistics into a strategic lever for policy-making, improving quality of life, supporting sustainable growth, and enhancing data integration among relevant parties. This contributes to raising the quality of national indicators and supporting evidence-based policies.
Ahli stated: "The UAE's membership in the Statistical Commission represents a strategic milestone in the journey of developing national statistical work. We are working to transition from producing data to enhancing its impact on decision-making and future foresight through an integrated statistical system based on governance, transparency, technology, competitiveness, sustainability, and consolidating the UAE's position as a trusted international partner in developing the statistical system."
