Oman
Hosts Regional Workshop on Use of ISPAR Tool for Policymakers
Muscat,
6 Jul (ONA) — A regional workshop titled“Use of the Indicator
Simulation Tool for Policymakers in the Arab Region (ISPAR)” officially
commenced today in Muscat.
The
five-day event, running until 10 July, is organized by the United Nations
Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and hosted by the
Sultanate of Oman, represented by the National Competitiveness Office.
The
workshop is part of a joint effort to strengthen institutional capacities
across Arab countries by utilizing advanced tools that support evidence-based
public policymaking. This Omani-hosted initiative aims to develop a
comprehensive simulation platform incorporating a set of internationally
recognized indicators used to assess national performance in vital areas such
as economic integration, business environment, innovation, and digital
technologies.
ISPAR
is a flagship tool developed by ESCWA to assist policymakers in simulating the
impact of proposed or anticipated reforms on their countries’ rankings in
international indices. By enabling robust, data-driven analysis, ISPAR supports
strategic decision-making through enhanced capabilities in performance
measurement, monitoring and evaluation, and obstacle analysis. It also enables
the development of reform scenarios grounded in evidence, ultimately improving
the efficiency, effectiveness, and coherence of public policies.
The
workshop is held within the framework of ESCWA’s “Development Account” project
titled:“Dynamic Simulation to Address Gaps in International Index
Rankings in the Arab Region”, in which the Sultanate of Oman was selected as a
pilot country. This selection reflects the commitment of the National Competitiveness
Office to advancing a robust system for monitoring and tracking national
performance in alignment with Oman’s position in international indicators.
The
workshop targets members of the National Competitiveness Office along with
policymakers from various national teams established by the National
Competitiveness Committee. The workshop aims to achieve several key outcomes,
including: Providing technical support to enhance the National Competitiveness
Office’s international indicators platform, upgrading the user interface and
streamlining the platform design to align with modern digital standards; Integrating
ISPAR’s simulation and optimization features into Oman’s national platform; Reviewing
methodologies of international indicators featured on Oman’s ISPAR country page
to ensure consistency in definitions and data sources and introducing
participants to the functionalities and practical applications of the ISPAR
tool.
Participants
are being trained to simulate the impact of policy changes on Oman’s rankings
in selected indicators, analyze interlinkages between indicators to identify
high-impact reforms, and develop and compare alternative policy scenarios. The
workshop also includes sessions on designing coherent policy packages for
short-, medium-, and long-term implementation, as well as assessing how reforms
contribute to broader sustainable development goals.
ESCWA
supports its 21 member states on their journey toward equality and prosperity.
Its work is rooted in analyzing current regional trends in economic, social,
and environmental spheres, guided by global United Nations frameworks, and
informed by the unique realities and shared characteristics of the Arab region.
Believing
in the power of regional integration, ESCWA provides a wide range of
knowledge-based tools, statistical resources, and analytical capabilities that
equip Arab countries to respond collectively to cross-border challenges. The
region’s common language, culture, and aspirations provide a unified voice and
shared platform for action at the national, regional, and global levels.
—Ends/AG
