SESRIC will participate in the 6^th United Nations World Data Forum (UNWDF 2026), to be held in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from 9 to 12 November 2026. The Forum will be hosted by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which serves as the host national statistical office and focal point for this global event.

The United Nations World Data Forum is a global platform that aims to spur data innovation, nurture partnerships, mobilise high-level political and financial support for data, and build a pathway to better data for sustainable development. UNWDF 2026 is expected to bring together data leaders and practitioners from governments, civil society, the private sector, donor and philanthropic bodies, international and regional organisations, the geospatial community, the media, academia, and professional bodies to exchange ideas, showcase innovations, and discuss practical solutions for strengthening data ecosystems.

The discussions of the Forum will be organised around four main thematic areas: innovation for better and more inclusive data; maximizing the use and value of data for better decision making; building trust, protection and ethics in data; and effective partnerships for better data and a more equitable data ecosystem. The Forum is also expected to address a range of emerging issues, including artificial intelligence, data governance, climate change, inclusivity, misinformation, the future of official statistics, and financing for data and statistics.

SESRIC’s participation in UNWDF 2026 will provide an important opportunity for the Centre to engage with the international statistical community and strengthen cooperation with national statistical offices of OIC countries, international organisations, and other relevant stakeholders on issues of common interest. The Forum is also expected to contribute to ongoing global efforts to advance innovation, partnership, and resilience in data ecosystems in support of evidence-based policymaking and sustainable development. This broader momentum is also reflected in GASTAT’s “Road to Riyadh 2026” initiative, which is designed to build momentum, foster collaboration, and advance discussions on statistical data for sustainable development ahead of the Forum.

For more information on the 6t^h United Nations World Data Forum, please visit the official webpages of GASTAT and the United Nations World Data Forum:

1. https://www.stats.gov.sa/en/united-nations-world-data-forum
2. https://unstats.un.org/unsd/undataforum/index.html