Workshop Discusses Enhancing Use of SDMX Standard in GCC States’ SDG Reporting

Salalah, 25 August
2026 (ONA) — A training workshop was held in Salalah today on the use of statistical and
metadata exchange in reporting on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in GCC
states. The workshop focused on ways to enhance national capacities in using the SDMX
standard, being a global measure for the systematic and consistent exchange and
dissemination of data.

The workshop
aimed at raising the efficiency of representatives of statistical offices in GCC
states, the GCC Statistical Center, SDG focal points, metadata experts and IT
professionals.

Dr. Intisar Abdullah
Al Wahaibi, Director General of the GCC Statistical Center (GCC-Stat), stressed the
importance of consolidating cooperation among GCC states and international
partners to develop a system of SDG indicators and to ensure the availability of
accurate, reliable and up-to-date official data. This, she added, would
contribute to measuring progress and supporting the formulation of
evidence-based policies.

In a speech at the workshop, Dr. Intisar explained that the proliferation of data sources, coupled with the rising
demands for reporting on SDGs, present challenges that extend beyond simply
providing data. These challenges, she said, include the ability to organize,
update and exchange data efficiently and in a timely manner.

Dr. Intisar pointed
out that the SDMX standard is a crucial tool for organizing and exchanging data
and metadata and minimizing manual procedures.

“The need to
ameliorate data systems is gaining momentum as we approach 2030 due to the fact that
data and statistics are fundamental to measuring progress, identifying gaps,
guiding public policies, improving resource allocation and enhancing
transparency and accountability,” she observed.

In this
context, Dr. Intisar reviewed several positive outcomes achieved by the GCC states
during 2025 in the availability of official data on various sectors,
including health, education, electricity and digital infrastructure indicators,
noting that internet penetration exceeded 95 percent of the population.

She affirmed
that these results reflect the developmental progress achieved by the GCC
countries, while simultaneously highlighting the need to continue updating data
in a manner that enhances comparability, notably in social, environmental and
economic fields and including data on women, skills, renewable energy, youth
empowerment, research, biodiversity and food security.

Dr. Intisar noted that
the importance of data lies, not merely in its numerical value, but also in the
ability to produce, update and exchange data through a unified and reliable
system. This goal, she said, could optimally be realized through the
implementation of the SDMX standard.

The workshop
elaborated on various aspects of the SDMX standard and upgraded the
participants’ ability to align SDG indicator data with global reporting
requirements.

The trainees
also conducted practical exercises that contribute to enhancing the use of the
SDMX standard, improving the exchange of data on SDG indicators and supporting
cooperation between GCC states and the United Nations.

The workshop
also included practical training in converting national data to standard SDMX
formats, in addition to assessing the status of GCC indicator data according to
the GCC-Stat’s databases.

The workshop
was organized by the GCC-Stat, in cooperation with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western
Asia (ESCWA) and the United Nations Statistics Division.

—
Ends/Bishara