ESCWA Executive Secretary Rania Al-Mashat emphasized that official statistics were not a technical activity that could be postponed until crises are over. "They are an essential public service that must continue, even in the most fragile environments," she said, while calling to strengthen national statistical systems and investment in institutions, human resources and modern statistical infrastructure.
Al-Mashat's remarks were delivered at the opening of an expert meeting on strengthening statistical systems in conflict-affected Arab countries, held in Amman, Jordan, from 28 to 30 July, with the participation of experts and representatives from statistical institutions, as well as regional and international organizations.
The meeting aimed to foster the exchange of knowledge and experiences and develop joint solutions to support the continuity of producing reliable official statistics, enhance the resilience of statistical systems across the Arab region, and contribute to evidence-based decision-making, recovery efforts and sustainable development.
